How to remove InitiatorActivity adware from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is InitiatorActivity?
InitiatorActivity is an application our researchers found while inspecting fake software updaters/installers. After analyzing this rogue app, we determined that it operates as advertising-supported software (adware). InitiatorActivity also belongs to the AdLoad malware family.
InitiatorActivity adware overview
Adware may require certain conditions to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. For example, if the browser/system or user geolocation is compatible, visits to specific websites are made, or similar - the software will display advertisements. However, regardless of whether InitiatorActivity (or other adware) delivers ads - its presence on a system endangers device and user safety.
Adware-displayed adverts endorse unreliable/harmful sites and software, online scams, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements are capable of infiltrating software into systems - once clicked.
Any legitimate products encountered via these ads are highly unlikely to be promoted by their developers. This promotion is primarily undertaken by scammers who abuse affiliate programs to acquire commissions fraudulently.
InitiatorActivity might have browser hijacker functionalities since they are common for AdLoad adware, although we did not observe any during testing.
Furthermore, this application likely has data tracking abilities. Advertising-supported software usually collects browsing data, personally identifiable details, account log-in credentials, finance-related information, etc. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of software like InitiatorActivity on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by InitiatorActivity |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AM [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.25468), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.A), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Agent.u), 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 examples
ActiveHandler, BrowserLaptop, and NetConnection are just a few examples of the adware we have analyzed recently. This software usually appears legitimate and offers "useful" functions. However, these features rarely work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did InitiatorActivity install on my computer?
InitiatorActivity was installed onto our test system by a fake Adobe Flash Player updater/installer. Advertising-supported software is commonly proliferated using the "bundling" technique - packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
Adware may have "official" download pages, and deceptive sites are used to promote it as well. Most users enter these webpages via redirects caused by intrusive ads, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Intrusive advertisements also proliferate this software. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We highly recommend researching software and only downloading from official/trustworthy sources. Furthermore, installation processes must be approached with caution. Hence, it is important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additions.
We also advise being vigilant when browsing - since fraudulent and malicious content typically looks legitimate. For example, intrusive ads appear harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you experience such advertisements and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with InitiatorActivity, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Fake Adobe Flash Player updater/installer used to promote InitiatorActivity adware;
First installation step:
Second installation step:
Pop-up window displayed when InitiatorActivity adware is present on the system:
Text presented within this pop-up:
"InitiatorActivityd" will damage your computer.
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
OK
Show in Finder
Files related to the InitiatorActivity adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.InitiatorActivity.service.app
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.InitiatorActivity.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.InitiatorActivity.system
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.InitiatorActivity.system.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the InitiatorActivity website are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar (Dock) and select "Profiles".
2) Locate all suspicious profiles and delete them.
3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this browser hijacker.
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 InitiatorActivity?
- STEP 1. Remove InitiatorActivity related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove InitiatorActivity ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove InitiatorActivity adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove InitiatorActivity ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove InitiatorActivity adware using Combo Cleaner:
InitiatorActivity adware removal:
Remove InitiatorActivity-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 diminish the browsing experience and system performance. This software usually has data tracking functionalities, which make it a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, adware-delivered advertisements promote deceptive and malicious content, which may cause serious problems (e.g., system infections, severe privacy issues, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It operates by displaying various ads on visited websites and/or different interfaces. Some types can also force-open sites and gather private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue primarily via affiliate programs by promoting various websites, apps, products, etc. The developers might earn commission from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, product purchases, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove InitiatorActivity adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected adware-type apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. In some cases, even after the adware itself has been removed - file leftovers remain in the system. What is more, such remnants may continue running and causing issues. Hence, it is crucial to eliminate adware thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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