How to eliminate the ProjectSource adware

What kind of software is ProjectSource?

ProjectSource is the name of an adware-type and browser-hijacking app that we have discovered while auditing various shady websites. After analyzing ProjectSource, we learned that the purpose of this app is to generate annoying advertisements and promote a fake search engine.

ProjectSource adware in detail

After installation, ProjectSource started to display pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other intrusive advertisements. By clicking on those ads, we ended up on questionable/potentially malicious websites. Most of those pages were various scams, download sites for shady applications.

Another we noticed while examining ProjectSource is that this app changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It replaces them with a fake search engine. The problem with most fake search engines is that they promote shady websites (generate misleading results or show results generated by dubious search engines).

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ProjectSource
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

One more problem with numerous adware-type apps that we already analyzed is that they can access sensitive information, or at least browsing-related information. It is pretty common that adware developers misuse collected data for malicious purposes. More adware examples are InitiatorIntegrate, NetworkStructured, PreviewInteractive.

How did ProjectSource install on my computer?

Adware is distributed via fake installers disguised as installers for legitimate software, deceptive ads, software bundles. Fake installers usually are promoted on deceptive pages. Software bundled with adware has settings in its installer (or a downloader) that can be used to deselect unwanted installations (or downloads).

Users download or install adware alongside other software when they do not change "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings before downloading or installing that software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download applications and files from legitimate sources such as official pages or platforms, and use direct download links. Avoid using shady pages, third-party downloaders, and similar sources. Do not click on advertisements that questionable pages have on them and deselect unwanted downloads and installations/unwanted apps before downloading or installing software.

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

A pop-upt that appears after the installation of ProjectSource adware:

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

Video showing how to remove ProjectSource adware using Combo Cleaner:

ProjectSource adware removal:

Remove ProjectSource-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 diminished web browsing experience, decrease in computer performance, invaded privacy, and other issues.

What does adware do?

Adware displays intrusive advertisements. In some cases, it also changes the web browser's settings and (or) collects information about users.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

As a rule, adware is monetized by promoting various products, websites, services. Adware developers use mainly affiliate programs to generate revenue.

Will Combo Cleaner remove ProjectSource adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and get rid of adware. It will completely remove it from the system without leaving any of its components. It is worth mentioning that manual removal does not always work because files belonging to adware may remain in the system even when the adware itself is no longer present.

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