Removing AdjustableControl adware from the operating system

What is AdjustableControl?

Discovered by our researcher team while analyzing fake Adobe Flash Player updaters, AdjustableControl is a rogue app. After investigating this piece of software, our researchers conclude that it is an adware-type application belonging to the AdLoad malware family.

AdjustableControl adware overview

Once installed onto our test system, AdjustableControl began running intrusive advertisement campaigns (displaying adverts). However, adware can require certain conditions to be met (e.g., compatible device/browser specs, particular user geolocation, etc.) - to deliver ad campaigns. Regardless of whether AdjustableControl (or other advertising-supported software) displays advertisements or not, its presence on a system remains harmful.

Adware-delivered ads usually endorse scams, untrustworthy/unwanted software, and even malware. Furthermore, some intrusive adverts can be triggered (by being clicked) to download/install software stealthily.

While legitimate products can be encountered through these advertisements, it is improbable that the actual developers undertake this promotion. These marketing techniques are commonly used by scammers abusing affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

What is more, since AdjustableControl belongs to the AdLoad family, it may have browser hijacker functionalities (although it did not exhibit any during testing).

Advertising-supported software typically collects user data, which might also apply to AdjustableControl. Targeted information includes - browsing activity, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, finance-related data, etc. Adware developers monetize the gathered information through sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like AdjustableControl on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by AdjustableControl
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
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; UpdaterWebPageEducate, PowerLane, and OptionFlow are a few examples of the latest ones. Advertising-supported software tends to appear genuine and offer "handy" features. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.

How did AdjustableControl install on my computer?

AdjustableControl was installed by a fake Adobe Flash installer, which our researchers acquired from a deceptive webpage.

Adware is often disguised as or bundled (packed together with) ordinary software. Download from dubious channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Adware is also spread through intrusive advertisements. Once clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.

This software can also have "official" download pages. Deceptive download sites are seldom accessed intentionally. Most users enter them via mistyped URLs or redirects caused by suspicious adverts, spam browser notifications, webpages using rogue advertising networks, or adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

Caution and vigilance are key to computer safety. Therefore, it is important to always research software and download it from official/verified sources. When installing, we recommend - reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.

We also advise approaching Web-browsing with care - since illegal and malicious material usually appears harmless. For example, intrusive ads look innocuous yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove AdjustableControl adware using Combo Cleaner:

AdjustableControl adware removal:

Remove AdjustableControl-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 browsing quality and system performance. It is also a privacy threat due to the data tracking abilities most adware-types possess. Furthermore, adware-displayed advertisements can be deceptive/malicious and cause serious problems.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software (adware) is designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it displays advertisements on visited websites and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers generate most of the revenue through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, software, products, services, and so forth.

Will Combo Cleaner remove AdjustableControl adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all adware-type apps installed. On the other hand, manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be ideal. In some instances, even after the software itself is (manually) removed - various remnants (files) are left behind in the system. What is more, the remaining components can continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is crucial to remove adware thoroughly.

▼ Show Discussion