How to remove CommonBrowser adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is CommonBrowser?
Our team has discovered the CommonBrowser application while examining shady websites. During our analysis, we learned that CommonBrowser is a typical advertising-supported application (adware). It displays annoying and untrustworthy advertisements. Therefore, this app should not be trusted/used.
CommonBrowser adware in detail
Our team has examined many apps like CommonBrowser. In most cases, these apps display pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other types of advertisements. Clicking these ads opens shady websites, such as download sites for untrustworthy apps and various scams and other shady pages. Sometimes, clicking them can download or install unwanted software.
Apps similar to CommonBrowser can have additional functionality - they can operate as browser hijackers. These apps change the settings of the affected browsers to promote fake search engines. Such search engines cannot be trusted: they can show misleading results and redirect to shady websites.
| Name | Ads by CommonBrowser |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.25904), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), 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. |
Adware in general
Adware is a type of software that bombards users with annoying advertisements. In addition to that, it can hijack web browsers and gather data about users. Either way, adware should not be installed on any browser or operating system. More adware examples are ColossusAspect, ZipArrow, ComputingInteractive.
How did CommonBrowser install on my computer?
Adware is distributed using deceptive websites, advertisements, downloaders, and installers for other software. In all cases, most users install adware unintentionally. When downloaders and installers are used to distribute adware, they have "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings.
Adware gets installed alongside other software when the installation process is finished without changing the settings mentioned above. This distribution method is known as "bundling".
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download files and apps from legitimate sources such as official pages and direct links. Do not trust files/apps downloaded using P2P networks, third-party downloaders, unofficial websites, etc. Also, check downloaders and installers for optional downloads and installations and deselect the unwanted ones before downloading or installing software.
Do not click on advertisements appearing on dubious pages or agree to receive notifications from such sites. If your computer is already infected with CommonBrowser, 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 CommonBrowser adware:
CommonBrowser'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 CommonBrowser?
- STEP 1. Remove CommonBrowser related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove CommonBrowser ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove CommonBrowser adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove CommonBrowser ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove CommonBrowser adware using Combo Cleaner:
CommonBrowser adware removal:
Remove CommonBrowser-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 slow down a computer, diminish the web browsing experience (by displaying ads covering website contents and causing unwanted redirects), and even invade privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware displays advertisements (pop-ups, banners, coupons, etc.). In some cases, it also promotes fake search engines and (or) gathers data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate revenue by promoting various products, websites, and (or) services. Most of them use affiliate programs as a tool to monetize adware.
Will Combo Cleaner remove CommonBrowser adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer remove detected adware. Pretty often, when adware is removed manually, some of its files remain present (and running) in the system. Therefore, it is recommended to eliminate adware with the Combo Cleaner app.
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