How to remove MapperIndex adware?

What is MapperIndex adware?

MapperIndex has two purposes: to generate advertisements and hijack a web browser (promote a fake search engine). It hijacks browser by changing its settings. As a rule, users do not download or install apps like MapperIndex on purpose. For this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

MapperIndex adware in detail

MapperIndex displays advertisements (for example, pop-ups, banners, coupons) that could open untrustworthy websites. Those pages could be used to trick visitors into downloading potentially malicious software, providing personal information, and so on. Also, ads displayed by MapperIndex might be designed to download or install PUAs.

MapperIndex hijacks a web browser by replacing the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page with the address of a fake search engine. Usually, these changes cannot be undone until a browser hijacker is eliminated. Fake search engines cannot be trusted - their results can include links to shady pages.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by MapperIndex
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to Adload malware family.
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac 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.

MapperIndex adware in general

MapperIndex generates revenue for its developer by showing advertisements to users and forcing them to browse the Internet with a fake search engine. It is possible that MapperIndex collect various information about its users as well. More adware examples are SearchMultiplyResults, ForceGuide, and IndexSearch.

How did MapperIndex install on my computer?

Users often download and install adware through downloaders and installers for other programs, advertisements, or fake installers. Downloaders and installers used to distribute PUAs have "Custom", "Advanced" or similar settings. Users download or install PUAs when they do not change those settings.

Ads can download or install unwanted apps when they are designed to run certain scripts. Users download or install PUAs by clicking those ads.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download files and apps from trustworthy (official, legitimate) websites. Avoid using other sources, clicking on ads displayed on dubious/questionable pages. Also, do not finish downloading or installing programs without checking their downloaders or installers for potentially unwanted applications.

If your computer is already infected with MapperIndex, 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 MapperIndex adware:

MapperIndex'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 MapperIndex?
• STEP 1. Remove MapperIndex related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove MapperIndex ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove MapperIndex adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove MapperIndex ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove MapperIndex adware using Combo Cleaner:

MapperIndex adware removal:

Remove MapperIndex-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 diminish the Internet browsing experience, make a computer slower. Sometimes, adware can access sensitive information that could be misused for malicious purposes.

What does adware do?

Software of this type displays advertisements. Also, it can be designed to collect various data and hijack browsers.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Typically, adware is monetized by advertising various web pages, products, services, and so on. Most of the money is made through affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove MapperIndex adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate MapperIndex and other adware-type applications. It is worth mentioning that manual adware removal does not always work because some of its components remain in the system even when the software is deleted. Thus, it is recommended to eliminate adware using specialized software.

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