How to get rid of the NetworkService adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What type of app is NetworkService?
NetworkService is an application designed to display advertisements and promote a fake search engine (by changing the web browser's settings). It is uncommon for adware and browser hijackers to be installed on purpose. Thus, apps of this kind are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
NetworkService adware in detail
NetworkService generates advertisements that could open untrustworthy websites. Those ads could open various scams, pages used to promote PUAs, and so on. Also, they could download or even install unwanted applications.
Additionally, NetworkService hijacks a web browser by changing its settings. It changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to a fake search engine (its address). Fake search engines cannot be trusted - their search results could include links to shady pages, or they could redirect users to untrustworthy sites.
| Name | Ads by NetworkService |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.24395), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Symantec (OSX.Trojan.Gen.2), 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. |
NetworkService adware in general
NetworkService displays annoying advertisements and forces users to browse the web using a fake search engine (and prevents users from removing that fake search engine from the web browser's settings). NetworkService is similar to DiscoveryHandler, PathNetwork, and MultiProject.
How did NetworkService install on my computer?
Quite often, adware gets installed through downloaders and installers for other programs (when adware is bundled with other software). It gets permission to be downloaded or installed when users leave "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings available in downloaders or installers unchanged.
Sometimes, software of this type gets installed through ads designed to run certain scripts or fake installers downloaded from deceptive websites. Either way, users do not download and install adware intentionally.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Avoid finishing downloads and installations without checking (and changing, if necessary) settings available in downloaders or installers. Use official websites and direct links to download software and files. Additionally, avoid clicking on advertisements that appear on questionable websites.
If your computer is already infected with NetworkService, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up that appears after the installation of NetworkService adware:
NetworkService'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:
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Quick menu:
- What is NetworkService?
- STEP 1. Remove NetworkService related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove NetworkService ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove NetworkService adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove NetworkService ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove NetworkService adware using Combo Cleaner:
NetworkService adware removal:
Remove NetworkService-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 web browsing experience, cause a decrease in computer performance and other problems (for example, issues related to online privacy, browsing safety).
What does adware do?
Adware generates annoying advertisements. In some cases, it also changes the web browser's settings and (or) collects various data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
It is common for adware to be monetized using various affiliate programs to promote websites, services, products, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove NetworkService adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate NetworkService or other detected adware. It is recommended to eliminate adware with specialized software (to avoid removing it manually) because some of its components might remain present even after the removal.
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