How to eliminate the ForceGuide adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ForceGuide adware?
ForceGuide generates annoying ads and changes web browser's settings (promotes a fake search engine). This app has the qualities of adware and a browser hijacker. It is very uncommon for apps of this type to downloaded and installed knowingly. Thus, ForceGuide and similar apps are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
ForceGuide adware in detail
ForceGuide displays advertisements (for example, pop-ups, banners) that could open various scam websites, download pages for other PUAs, potentially malicious sites. Moreover, those ads could run certain scripts to download or install unwanted applications.
Furthermore, ForceGuide changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It changes them to a fake search engine promoting untrustworthy websites or showing results generated by other untrustworthy search engines. Either way, it is strongly recommended not to trust fake search engines or apps like ForceGuide.
| Name | Ads by ForceGuide |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AV [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.Generic.3012323), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Agent.gen), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Adware in general
ForceGuide and similar apps are useless to their users. They generate revenue for their developers by showing advertisements, collecting various data, and (or) forcing users to visit certain web pages. More adware examples are DeployService, IndexSearch, and HdTrack.
How did ForceGuide install on my computer?
Many users download or install potentially unwanted applications together with other programs. Users cause it when they do not deselect optional downloads or installations using "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings, or ticked checkboxes in downloaders or installers for those other programs.
In some cases, users unintentionally download or install unwanted software by clicking on deceptive ads designed to execute certain scripts or through fake installers (or updaters) downloaded from untrustworthy websites.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Downloaders and installers with ticked checkboxes or settings like "Custom", "Advanced" can include optional downloads or installations. Programs and files should not be downloaded or installed without changing those settings. Files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and via direct links.
Advertisements that questionable pages have on them should not be clicked. If your computer is already infected with ForceGuide, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
A pop-up window that appears after the installation of ForceGuide adware:
Screenshot of the ForceGuide's Contents folder:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is ForceGuide?
- STEP 1. Remove ForceGuide related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ForceGuide ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ForceGuide adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ForceGuide ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ForceGuide adware using Combo Cleaner:
ForceGuide adware removal:
Remove ForceGuide-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove adware-related files and folders
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/
In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:
In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/
In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers
Remove malicious Safari extensions:
Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can slow down a computer, affect Internet browsing experience. Also, software of this type can be the reason behind issues related to browsing safety, online privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware is a type of unwanted software that generates annoying advertisements (for example, pop-ups). It also can be used as a tool to promote questionable addresses and collect data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
In most cases, adware is monetized by promoting products, websites, services through various affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ForceGuide adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate ForceGuide. It will do the same with any other detected adware-type applications. It is worth mentioning that manual adware removal may not be the best solution since various file leftovers may remain in the system. Therefore, it is recommended to use specialized software to remove adware.
Outstanding!
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