How to get rid of ToolIndexer adware?

What kind of application is ToolIndexer?

ToolIndexer is advertising-supported software that generates advertisements and hijacks a web browser to promote a fake search engine. Typically, apps like ToolIndexer are promoted/distributed using questionable methods to trick users into downloading/installing them.

ToolIndexer adware in detail

Advertisements generated by ToolIndexer may open phishing pages, various scams, download pages for untrustworthy applications, and so on. Also, those ads may download or install unwanted apps by running specific scripts. Thus, ads coming from ToolIndexer should never be trusted.

ToolIndexer hijacks a web browser by modifying its settings. 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, show results generated by other untrustworthy search engines.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ToolIndexer
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), AVG (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), 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.

More about adware

Adware can be capable of accessing and collecting various information (including sensitive information like credit card details, passwords). What is worse, adware developers may misuse obtained data for malicious purposes. A couple of examples of apps similar to ToolIndexer are SmartCheck, IndexerService, IntegrationAdmin.

How did ToolIndexer install on my computer?

Adware is often bundled with other software. It can be found in downloaders and installers for other software. Users agree to download or install adware when they do change "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings before downloading or installing other software.

In other cases, users install adware through fake installers downloaded from untrustworthy websites or advertisements designed to execute specific scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Do not click on advertisements that questionable websites display. Download files and applications from official pages (not from unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and so on). Do not download or install programs until unwanted applications are deselected.

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

A pop-up that appears after the installation of ToolIndexer adware:

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

Video showing how to remove ToolIndexer adware using Combo Cleaner:

ToolIndexer adware removal:

Remove ToolIndexer-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 (mostly by generating ads covering contents of visited pages), slow down a computer, invade online privacy, cause problems related to browsing safety.

What does adware do?

Adware bombards users with annoying advertisements. Also, it can be used to promote fake search engines (by hijacking web browsers) and collect various information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware is used to promote various products, websites, services. For the most part, it is monetized through affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove ToolIndexer adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate ToolIndexer (and other adware). It is worth mentioning that manual removal can not entirely work because file leftovers may remain hiding in the system even when adware itself is no longer present. Thus, it is recommended to remove adware automatically.

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