Removing ActiveHandler adware and the advertisements it delivers

What is ActiveHandler?

ActiveHandler is a rogue application that our researchers discovered while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. After analyzing this app, we determined that it operates as adware and is part of the AdLoad malware family.

ActiveHandler adware overview

Adware may require certain conditions (e.g., system/browser or user geolocation compatibility, visits to particular websites, etc.) to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. Whether ActiveHandler (or other adware) displays ads or not is irrelevant - since its presence on a system endangers device/user safety regardless.

Adware-delivered advertisements endorse untrustworthy/harmful sites and software, online scams, and even malware. Some intrusive adverts can be triggered (by being clicked) to download/install software stealthily.

Any legitimate products encountered via these adverts are unlikely to be promoted by their actual developers. This promotion is primarily undertaken by scammers who abuse the products' affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.

Furthermore, ActiveHandler might have browser hijacker qualities since they are standard for AdLoad adware; however, we did not observe any during our analysis.

What is more, advertising-supported software usually has data tracking abilities, and this may be the case with ActiveHandler. Information of interest includes: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, etc. The gathered data is monetized through sale to third-parties.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ActiveHandler
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)
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

We have analyzed countless adware samples; GeneralProjectSearch, BrowserDisplay, and BrowserLaptop are a few of the latest. Advertising-supported software typically appears legitimate and offers "handy" features. However, these functions are merely bait - to lure users into download/installation as they are rarely operational.

How did ActiveHandler install on my computer?

Adware can be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, 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 is spread via intrusive adverts as well. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.

Adware may have "official" download sites and deceptive ones that promote it. Most users enter them via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, or installed adware (with webpage force-opening capabilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

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

We also advise exercising caution when browsing, as illegitimate and malicious content usually looks innocuous. For example, intrusive ads appear legitimate and harmless - however, they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove ActiveHandler adware using Combo Cleaner:

ActiveHandler adware removal:

Remove ActiveHandler-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 is also a privacy threat, as this software typically has data tracking abilities. Furthermore, adware-displayed ads endorse deceptive/malicious content that may cause serious problems (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to display advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. It may also be capable of force-opening sites and collecting private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs in the form of commissions for the promotion of various websites, applications, products, services, and so on.

Will Combo Cleaner remove ActiveHandler adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective. In some cases, even after the adware itself has been (manually) removed - various remnants (files) are left behind. Furthermore, the remaining components may continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is paramount to remove adware thoroughly.

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