How to eliminate HandlerRotator from the operating system?

What kind of software is HandlerRotator?

The purpose of HandlerRotator is to display annoying advertisements and promote a fake search engine (by changing the settings of the affected web browser). It has the qualities of adware and a browser hijacker. Users rarely install such apps on purpose (knowingly).

HandlerRotator adware in detail

Advertisements generated by HandlerRotator can be designed to open websites used to promote untrustworthy advertisements, extract personal information, money, etc. Moreover, those ads can be designed to download or even install unwanted software by running specific scripts.

Another detail about HandlerRotator is that it modifies the settings of a web browser to promote a particular address. It changes the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page to a fake search engine. That fake search engine could generate misleading results, redirect users to shady pages, or show results generated by shady search engines.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by HandlerRotator
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

Applications like HandlerRotator are useless and can cause various problems. A big part of these apps are promoted and (or) distributed using deceptive, questionable methods. More adware examples are UltraEngine, ChannelParameter, and SyncApp.

How did HandlerRotator install on my computer?

Adware often is distributed together with other programs. Users download or install advertising-supported apps when they do not change "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings available in downloaders or installers for programs bundled with them.

In other cases, users download or install adware by clicking on advertisements designed to run certain scripts or using fake installers downloaded from untrustworthy (usually deceptive) web pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download applications from trustworthy (official) websites. Avoid using other sources for downloading apps, files and clicking on advertisements appearing on dubious pages. Also, deselect unwanted downloads or installations (if any of them are included in downloaders or installers) before downloading or installing programs.

If your computer is already infected with HandlerRotator, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up that appears after the installation of HandlerRotator adware:

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

Video showing how to remove HandlerRotator adware using Combo Cleaner:

HandlerRotator adware removal:

Remove HandlerRotator-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 be the reason behind decreased computer performance, diminished web browsing experience, issues related to browsing safety, online privacy. It also can be the culprit of unwanted downloads, installations.

What does adware do?

Adware generates advertisements. Also, it can collect various data and hijack a web browser by changing its settings.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

In most cases, they use various affiliate programs to monetize adware. They promote various products, websites, services, and so on.

Will Combo Cleaner remove HandlerRotator adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the system and get rid of HandlerRotator (and other adware). It is worth mentioning that software of this type should be removed using specialized software (not manually). Attempts to remove adware manually might not entirely work - some of the adware components may remain in the system even after the removal.

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