How to remove FormulaBuffer adware

What kind of application is FormulaBuffer?

FormulaBuffer has two purposes: to display advertisements and promote a fake search engine. It promotes a fake search engine by hijacking a web browser. Typically, users download and install browser-hijacking and adware-type apps unknowingly.

FormulaBuffer adware in detail

FormulaBuffer bombards users with annoying advertisements. Apps like this FormulaBuffer often display ads designed to open potentially malicious pages (for example, various scams, phishing pages, websites encouraging to download dubious applications). Sometimes, those ads can run certain scripts and download (or even install) unwanted apps.

FormulaBuffer promotes a fake search engine by making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page in the settings of the affected browser. Fake search engines promoted by browser hijackers can generate misleading results, redirect to untrustworthy pages, show results generated by shady search engines.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by FormulaBuffer
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.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

FormulaBuffer displays ads designed to promote questionable pages and changes the web browser's settings to promote a fake search engine. FormulaBuffer may gather information about users' browsing habits and even sensitive information like credit card details, passwords. More adware examples are ToolIndexer, SmartCheck, IndexerService.

How did FormulaBuffer install on my computer?

Apps like FormulaBuffer often are distributed by bundling them with other software. Downloaders and installers containing adware have "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" or other settings. Adware gets downloaded or installed alongside other software when those settings are left unchanged.

Also, adware can be distributed using fake installers and advertisements (by designing them to run specific scripts). Either way, most users download and install adware inadvertently.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Do not use unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, free file hosting pages, or similar sources for downloading files/programs. Download them from official pages. Also, do not click on ads appearing on shady websites. Download or install programs only when unwanted apps are no longer selected in downloaders or installers.

If your computer is already infected with FormulaBuffer, 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 FormulaBuffer adware:

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

Video showing how to remove FormulaBuffer adware using Combo Cleaner:

FormulaBuffer adware removal:

Remove FormulaBuffer-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 Internet browsing experience, slow down a computer, invade privacy, and cause other issues.

What does adware do?

Adware generates advertisements (pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other types of ads). In some cases, it also hijacks web browsers (promotes fake search engines) and gathers information about its users.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Usually, adware is used to promote/advertise products, websites, services. A big part of the revenue is generated through affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove FormulaBuffer adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and get rid of detected adware. It is recommended to remove adware automatically (using specialized software). When users remove adware manually, its components remain present and running even when adware itself is no longer present.

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