How to eliminate PathNetwork adware and the advertisements it displays?

What is PathNetwork?

PathNetwork is a rogue app classified as adware. It has browser hijacker qualities as well. Due to the dubious techniques used to distribute PathNetwork, it is also categorized as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).

PathNetwork adware overview

Adware delivers various pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page, and other intrusive ads. They can be displayed on any visited website and/or different interfaces. In addition to diminishing the browsing experience, these advertisements also endanger device and user safety.

The adverts endorse sale-oriented, rogue, untrustworthy, scam, and even malicious sites. Some intrusive ads can even be triggered (by being clicked) to download/install software (e.g., PUAs) without user consent.

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Therefore, web searches done via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other genuine ones. Browser hijackers can also undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers, or they can outright deny access to the browser settings.

Most adware and browser hijackers have data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes - browsing data, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The gathered information is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by PathNetwork
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.j), 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

OfficialDesign, ChangingSystem, and MultiProject are a couple examples of apps within the adware classification. It typically appears legitimate and harmless. Adware also offers "useful" functions, which rarely work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

This applies to nearly all PUAs. The only goal of unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers; hence, functionality and user safety are unimportant.

How did PathNetwork install on my computer?

PUAs are spread via download/installation setups of other programs. This technique of packing regular software with various additions is called "bundling". Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Upon being clicked, intrusive adverts can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Some PUAs may also have "official" download webpages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software and download it from official/verified sources. Dubious download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled/harmful content.

Download/Installation processes must be treated with caution, i.e., reading terms, studying possible options, and using the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from all additions. Intrusive advertisements appear innocuous, yet they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove PathNetwork adware using Combo Cleaner:

PathNetwork adware removal:

Remove PathNetwork-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 negatively affect the browsing experience and system performance. This software usually has data-tracking abilities, which makes it a threat to user privacy. The ads adware displays - can also be deceptive and malicious, thereby leading to other potentially severe problems.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software (adware) operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, this software displays various ads on any visited website and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Most of the revenue adware generates through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, applications, products, services, etc.

Will Combo Cleaner remove PathNetwork adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type apps. On the other hand, manual removal may not be thorough enough. In some cases, despite the software itself being deleted - various file leftovers remain in the system. Furthermore, the remnants can continue running and causing issues.

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