How to remove the InkInfo adware from your operating system?

What is InkInfo?

InkInfo is a piece of rogue software classified as adware. It also has browser hijacker traits. Since most users unintentionally download/install apps of type, they are also considered to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

InkInfo adware overview

Adware delivers various pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, full-page, and other intrusive ads - on any visited website and/or different interfaces. The advertisements seriously diminish the browsing experience and pose a threat to device/user safety.

The ads promote a wide variety of sale-based, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, and even malicious sites. Furthermore, some intrusive adverts can download/install software (e.g., PUAs) stealthily - once they are clicked on.

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted search engine's address.

Fraudulent web searchers usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other legitimate search engines. What is more, browser hijackers also use persistence-ensuring tactics to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data. Targeted information includes browsing activity, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The gathered information is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, unwanted apps can cause system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even lead to identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by InkInfo
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.

Adware in general

DiscoveryHandler, PathNetwork, and OfficialDesign are a few apps within the adware classification. They appear legitimate and offer "handy" features, which are seldom operational. In fact, this applies to nearly all PUAs. Functionality and user safety are irrelevant, as the sole purpose of unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers.

How did InkInfo install on my computer?

PUAs are spread employing the "bundling" marketing technique - packing regular programs with various additions. Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. Select PUAs also have "official" promotional/download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

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

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study possible options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from all additions. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, yet they redirect to 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 suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with InkInfo, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

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

Video showing how to remove InkInfo adware using Combo Cleaner:

InkInfo adware removal:

Remove InkInfo-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 browsing quality and decrease system performance. This software usually has data tracking abilities, which make it a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, the ads delivered by adware - can be malicious and cause other severe issues.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e., this software displays various adverts on any visited website and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue by promoting content (e.g., websites, apps, services, etc.); most of the profit is created through affiliate programs. The developers of this software can earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove InkInfo adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating all adware-type apps. On the other hand, manual removal might not be ideal. In some cases, even after the adware is (manually) deleted - various file leftovers remain hidden in the system. What is more, such remnants can continue running and causing problems.

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