How to remove the ZipArrow adware from your operating system

What is ZipArrow?

ZipArrow is a piece of rogue software our researchers discovered while looking through new submissions to VirusTotal. After analyzing this app, we determined that it operates as advertising-supported software (adware). Additionally, ZipArrow belongs to the AdLoad malware family.

ZipArrow adware overview

Adware may require certain conditions to be met in order to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e., display adverts). For example, this software may not deliver ads unless the browser/device or user geolocation are compatible, visits to specific sites are made, or similar. Regardless of whether ZipArrow (or other adware) runs intrusive ad campaigns - its presence on a system endangers device integrity and user safety.

Adware-displayed advertisements endorse unreliable/harmful websites and software, online scams, and malware. Some intrusive adverts are capable of infiltrating software into systems - once clicked.

Any legitimate products encountered through these ads are highly unlikely to be promoted by their actual developers. Instead, this promotion is primarily undertaken by scammers who abuse affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.

Furthermore, ZipArrow might have browser hijacker functionalities since we have often observed them in AdLoad adware; however, this app did not exhibit any during testing.

ZipArrow may also have data tracking abilities. Advertising-supported software can target browsing data, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, etc. The collected data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ZipArrow
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.25622), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), McAfee (RDN/Generic.osx), 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

ComputingInteractive, HorizonLiving, EnumeratorConnectivity, and ShareAdvantage are some examples of the adware-type apps we have analyzed. This software usually looks harmless and offers "handy" functions. However, these features rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

How did ZipArrow install on my computer?

Adware is distributed using various deceptive and questionable techniques. It can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Download from dubious sources (e.g., Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, freeware and third-party sites, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are also used in distribution. Advertising-supported software can be stealthily downloaded/installed by intrusive advertisements - when they are clicked.

Adware may have "official" promotional/download webpages. These sites are seldom accessed intentionally. Most enter them via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities), or mistyped URLs.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. Additionally, when installing - it is important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all supplements.

We advise exercising caution when browsing, as fraudulent and malicious material typically appears innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements look ordinary and harmless, yet they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove ZipArrow adware using Combo Cleaner:

ZipArrow adware removal:

Remove ZipArrow-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 also poses a threat to user privacy, as advertising-supported software usually has data tracking functionalities. Furthermore, adware-delivered adverts can be deceptive/malicious and cause serious problems (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it enables the placement of ads on visited websites and/or different interfaces. Some types may also force-open sites and collect private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Most of the profit is generated through affiliate programs in the form of commissions from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, software purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove ZipArrow adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate installed adware-type applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal. Since various file leftovers may remain in the system - although the adware itself has been (manually) removed. Furthermore, such remnants can continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware thoroughly.

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