Removing VirtualGuest adware from the operating system

What is VirtualGuest?

Detected by our researchers on new submissions to VirusTotal, VirtualGuest is a rogue application. During analysis, we discovered this piece of software to be an adware-type app belonging to the AdLoad malware family.

VirtualGuest adware overview

Adware may require certain conditions to be met (e.g., compatible device/browser specs, user geolocation, visited webpages, etc.) to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e., display ads). Therefore, it may not operate properly on various systems; however, this does not make adware harmless.

On our test system, VirtualGuest displayed a variety of advertisements. Adware-delivered adverts typically promote untrustworthy and dangerous websites and software, online scams, and even malware. What is more, some intrusive advertisements can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install software.

It is noteworthy that any genuine products encountered through these ads are not endorsed thusly by their developers; it is likely to be done by scammers using affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

Based on our experience with AdLoad adware, we can conclude that VirtualGuest may have browser hijacker traits - although it did not exhibit them during testing.

Furthermore, adware usually collects sensitive data (e.g., browsing activity, personally identifiable details, banking/financial information, etc.) to sell it to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like VirtualGuest on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by VirtualGuest
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.

Adware examples

We have analyzed thousands of adware samples; ResponseIntellect, SchedulerSkyLoad, and DecipherPerformance are but a few examples. This software looks legitimate and offers "useful" features. However, these functions are merely bait to lure users into installation - as they are rarely operational.

How did VirtualGuest install on my computer?

Adware is distributed through software bundling - packing regular programs with various additions. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Additionally, once clicked, some intrusive ads can download/installation software (including adware) without user permission.

Advertising-supported software can also have "official" promotional/download websites. These pages are typically entered via mistyped URLs or redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, deceptive adverts, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software products and downloading from official/verified channels. Download/Installation processes must be approached with care, e.g., reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.

It is just as important to exercise caution when browsing since illegitimate and malicious content tends to look harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements appear ordinary yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., adult-dating, gambling, pornography, etc.).

If you experience such ads and/or redirects, check your system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with VirtualGuest, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

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

Video showing how to remove VirtualGuest adware using Combo Cleaner:

VirtualGuest adware removal:

Remove VirtualGuest-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 decrease system performance and diminish browsing quality. This software is also deemed to be a privacy threat, as it typically has data tracking functionalities. Furthermore, adware-delivered ads can be deceptive/malicious and cause severe problems.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software (adware) is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, this software can display adverts on visited sites and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates profit mostly through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, apps, services, etc. The developers may earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove VirtualGuest adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all adware-type applications detected. However, manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be a perfect solution. In some cases, even after the adware itself is eliminated - leftover files remain hidden in the system. Furthermore, such remnants can continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is paramount to remove adware thoroughly.

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