How to eliminate the FlowSurplus adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is is FlowSurplus?
Our team has discovered the FlowSurplus application while inspecting the samples submitted to VirusTotal. After analyzing the application, it was found that FlowSurplus is an advertising-supported application that displays intrusive advertisements. As a rule, apps of this type are distributed using deceptive methods.
FlowSurplus adware in detail
We have tested plenty of apps similar to FlowSurplus and learned that most of them generate ads designed to promote shady websites. Usually, they display pop-ups, banners, coupons, or other ads. Clicking those ads opens various scams, download pages for shady apps, and other untrustworthy pages.
Another common problem with apps like FlowSurplus is that they hijack web browsers. They can change the default search engine, homepage, and (or) new tab in settings of browsers to a fake search engine. Typically, fake search engines do not generate any unique results. They show results generated by legitimate or dubious search engines.
| Name | Ads by FlowSurplus |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.25656), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Symantec (OSX.Trojan.Gen.2), 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
Additionally, adware can be capable of gathering sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, telephone numbers, etc., and (or) browsing-related data. Either way, adware is not trustworthy software. It should never be installed. More adware examples are TaskCentral, ElementryCheck, FreshSkill.
How did FlowSurplus install on my computer?
In our case, FlowSurplus got installed after executing a fake installer downloaded from an untrustworthy page. However, its developers may also use installers for other software and shady advertisements for distribution. When software is bundled with adware, it has "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings in its installer (or downloader).
Adware gets installed alongside other software when the installation is finished without changing the settings mentioned above. Ads can download or install unwanted software when designed to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Do not download applications (or files) from questionable sources such as unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks. Download them from official pages and use direct download links. Also, do not click on advertisements displayed on torrent sites, adult pages, and other dubious pages.
Deselect unwanted downloads and installations (by changing the presented settings) before downloading and installing software that has unwanted apps in its downloader and installer. If your computer is already infected with FlowSurplus, 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 FlowSurplus adware:
FlowSurplus'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 FlowSurplus?
- STEP 1. Remove FlowSurplus related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove FlowSurplus ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove FlowSurplus adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove FlowSurplus ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove FlowSurplus adware using Combo Cleaner:
FlowSurplus adware removal:
Remove FlowSurplus-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?
Usually, adware slows down a computer and (or) diminishes the web browsing experience by displaying intrusive advertisements. Some adware-type applications can invade privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware generates advertisements. It can also have additional functionality (for example, it can hijack a web browser and gather information).
How do adware developers generate revenue?
They use adware as a tool to promote various websites, services, products, etc. Typically, they use affiliate programs to monetize adware.
Will Combo Cleaner remove FlowSurplus adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate adware. Pretty often, when adware is removed manually, some of its components remain in the system even when the adware is no longer installed. Thus, it is recommended to eliminate adware using specialized apps like Combo Cleaner.
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