How to remove OfficialDesign adware from the operating system?

What is OfficialDesign?

OfficialDesign is an application categorized as adware. It also has browser hijacker abilities. Since most users inadvertently download/install apps of this kind, they are considered to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

OfficialDesign adware overview

Adware can display pop-ups, coupons, banners, surveys, full-page, and other intrusive advertisements on any visited website and/or different interfaces. The ads affect the browsing experience by overlaying site content and slowing down the browsing speed.

Furthermore, these adverts promote various sale-based, untrustworthy, rogue, deceptive/scam, and even malicious websites. Some of these ads can even be triggered (by being clicked on) to stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).

Browser hijackers assign fake web searchers as browsers' new tab/window, default search engine, and homepage URLs. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the assigned search engine's address.

The promoted web searchers usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Google, Bing, and other legitimate search engines. Browser hijackers also use persistence-ensuring methods - to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

What is more, most PUAs can track data. Information of interest includes (but is not limited to): visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OfficialDesign
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.24357), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Fortinet (Adware/Synataeb!OSX), 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.

Adware in general

MultiProject, SmartSearchQuest, CheckLetter, AboutDynamic, and LatestExtended are some examples of adware. This software appears ordinary and promises "useful" features, which are seldom operational. In fact, this applies to nearly all PUAs. The sole purpose of these apps is to generate profit at user expense; hence, user safety and functionality are irrelevant.

How did OfficialDesign install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated using the "bundling" technique - packing regular programs with various additions. Rushed downloads/installations (e.g., used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device. Intrusive advertisements are used to distribute PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission. PUAs may also have "official" download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to always research software and download from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled and harmful content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all supplements. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, yet they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the device must be inspected and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with OfficialDesign, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once OfficialDesign adware's installation is over:

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

Video showing how to remove OfficialDesign adware using Combo Cleaner:

OfficialDesign adware removal:

Remove OfficialDesign-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 diminishes the browsing experience and decreases system performance. Most apps of this type also have data tracking abilities, which makes them a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, adware-delivered advertisements can be malicious and cause other severe issues.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software or adware - is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, this software can display various ads on any visited website and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue by promoting sites, applications, services, and similar. The developers can earn commission from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, etc.

Will Combo Cleaner remove OfficialDesign adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating all adware-type applications detected. It is noteworthy that manual removal is not always sufficient. In some cases, despite the software itself being removed - its remnants (files) can remain hidden within the system. Additionally, the leftover components can continue running and causing issues.

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