How to remove CommonLocator adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is CommonLocator?
We have discovered the CommonLocator application while examining various shady websites. Once installed, it starts displaying annoying advertisements. Therefore, our team has concluded that CommonLocator is typical adware. It is not recommended to have any adware installed on browsers or computers.
CommonLocator adware in detail
Advertising-supported applications like CommonLocator generate ads that can open various scam pages, phishing websites, download sites for questionable (even malicious) applications, etc. In some cases, those can run scripts designed to download (and install) unwanted apps. Usually, apps of this type generate banners, coupons, pop-ups, and (or) other ads.
After analyzing numerous apps similar to CommonLocator, we found that sometimes they hijack web browsers changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to a fake search engine. Fake search engines can promote shady websites (generate misleading results) and show results generated by other dubious search engines.
| Name | Ads by CommonLocator |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), 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
One more reason not to trust adware-type apps is that they can be used to gather various data. There are lots of apps of this type that can read credit card details, passwords, and more. Thus, it is highly advisable not to have any adware present (especially when downloaded from a shady source).
More adware examples are SmartLauncher, ProcessorCactus, AlgorithmFormula.
How did CommonLocator install on my computer?
A big part of adware is distributed by bundling it with other software or through deceptive ads and fake installers. It gets installed alongside other software when installation processes are finished without changing "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings provided in installers. In most cases, users download and install adware inadvertently.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Use official websites and direct links as sources for downloading files and applications. Do not trust other sources (for example, P2P networks, questionable pages, third-party downloaders). Also, avoid clicking on shady ads or notifications displayed by dubious pages.
Deselect unwanted offers (optional downloads and installations) before downloading and installing programs. If your computer is already infected with CommonLocator, 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 CommonLocator adware:
CommonLocator'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 CommonLocator?
- STEP 1. Remove CommonLocator related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove CommonLocator ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove CommonLocator adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove CommonLocator ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove CommonLocator adware using Combo Cleaner:
CommonLocator adware removal:
Remove CommonLocator-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 covering website contents, invade privacy, and (or) manipulate the web browser's settings.
What does adware do?
As a rule, the purpose of adware is to generate advertisements. Additionally, certain adware-type apps can hijack web browsers and gather data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
They generate revenue by promoting various products, websites, services, etc. Most of them use affiliate programs to monetize adware.
Will Combo Cleaner remove CommonLocator adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all present adware. It is worth mentioning that manual removal may not work because file leftovers may remain hiding in the system even after the removal.
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