How to eliminate the TaskCentral adware from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is TaskCentral?
Our team has discovered the TaskCentral application while checking the samples submitted to VirusTotal. After analysis, it was concluded that TaskCentral is typical adware - it bombards users with unwanted advertisements. Typically, adware is distributed using deceptive methods.
TaskCentral adware in detail
TaskCentral is an adware-type app that can generate pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other ads designed to promote questionable websites and applications, various scams, etc. Moreover, ads coming from TaskCentral can be used to distribute unwanted software - they can cause unwanted downloads or installations by running certain scripts.
We have examined numerous advertising-supported apps and found that they can promote fake search engines. In such cases, those apps hijack web browsers by changing their settings. It is worth knowing that fake search engines can show results generated by untrustworthy search engines and promote potentially malicious pages.
| Name | Ads by TaskCentral |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.25472), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Symantec (OSX.Trojan.Gen), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
More about adware
In addition to generating advertisements, adware can gather various information. Sometimes, it can access sensitive data such as credit card details, passwords. What is worse, gathered data can be misused for malicious purposes. More adware examples are ElementryCheck, FreshSkill, TradeValor.
How did TaskCentral install on my computer?
Adware often is distributed using downloaders/installers for other software. It gets downloaded/installed after finishing downloads/installations of software without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings. In other cases, adware gets installed through shady advertisements or fake installers promoted on deceptive pages.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Do not use unreliable sources for downloading files and apps such as P2P networks, shady websites, third-party downloaders, etc. Files and apps should be downloaded from legitimate (official) pages. Do not click on ads appearing while visiting shady websites.
Change settings available in downloaders and installers to deselect unwanted apps before downloading and installing programs. If your computer is already infected with TaskCentral, 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 TaskCentral adware:
TaskCentral'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 TaskCentral?
- STEP 1. Remove TaskCentral related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove TaskCentral ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove TaskCentral adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove TaskCentral ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove TaskCentral adware using Combo Cleaner:
TaskCentral adware removal:
Remove TaskCentral-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?
TaskCentral and other apps of this type usually cause problems such as diminished web browsing experience, poor computer performance, invaded privacy.
What does adware do?
Typically, adware bombards users with annoying advertisements. Also, it can hijack a web browser and gather data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most adware developers monetize adware by promoting various products, services, and (or) websites. Their main source of income usually is affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove TaskCentral adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove adware. It will remove all files and other components. Manual removal may not work because some of the files belonging to adware may remain in the system even after the removal. Thus, it is recommended to achieve it using Combo Cleaner.
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