How to remove PlusMethod adware and the advertisements it displays?

What is PlusMethod?

PlusMethod is a piece of rogue software. It has adware and browser hijacker qualities. Since most users unintentionally download/install apps like PlusMethod, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

PlusMethod adware overview

On visited websites and/or different interfaces - adware can display various advertisements (e.g., pop-ups, coupons, banners, etc.). These ads seriously diminish the browsing experience and endanger device/user safety. Adware-delivered adverts promote sale-oriented, rogue, deceptive/scam, and even malicious sites. Furthermore, some intrusive advertisements can download/install software (e.g., PUAs) without user consent - once clicked.

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

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other legitimate ones. Hijacker software also employs persistence-ensuring techniques - to prevent browser recovery.

PlusMethod likely has data tracking abilities, as they are common for such software. The collected data (e.g., browser and search engine histories, personally identifiable details, etc.) 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, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by PlusMethod
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.24849), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), McAfee (RDN/Generic.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

ExploreService, ProductionElements, UltraSystem, and AdvancedServices are some examples of adware-type apps. They look genuine and offer "handy" features, which usually do not work. In fact, this applies to nearly all PUAs. The only aim of unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers; therefore, functionality and user safety are irrelevant.

How did PlusMethod install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated using the "bundling" marketing method - packing ordinary programs with various additions. Rushed download/installation processes increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device. Additionally, intrusive adverts can make stealthy downloads/installations - upon being clicked. Some PUAs can also have "official" download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

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

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

If such advertisements/redirects are encountered, the device must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed. If your computer is already infected with PlusMethod, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

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

Video showing how to remove PlusMethod adware using Combo Cleaner:

PlusMethod adware removal:

Remove PlusMethod-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 (e.g., overlay webpage content, slow down the browsing speed, etc.) and decrease system performance. This software is also considered a privacy threat, as it usually has data tracking functionalities. Furthermore, adware-displayed ads can be harmful and cause other serious issues.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software (adware) operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it can display various adverts on visited websites and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue primarily via affiliate programs by promoting websites, applications, services, etc. The developers of this software can earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, service subscriptions, product purchases, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove PlusMethod adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate adware-type applications installed. It is noteworthy that manual removal may not be a perfect solution. Sometimes, despite the software itself being (manually) removed - various file leftovers remain hidden within the system. Furthermore, such components can continue running and causing problems.

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