How to remove SampleLight adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is SampleLight?
SampleLight is an adware-type application designed to generate intrusive advertisements. Like most apps of this type, SampleLight is distributed using shady methods. Our malware researchers have discovered SampleLight adware while inspecting deceptive pages suggesting that visitors must update the Adobe Flash Player.
SampleLight adware in detail
Clicking advertisements displayed by SampleLight can open untrustworthy pages. For example, websites asking to provide sensitive information, offering to download shady apps, etc. Also, clicking them can lead to unexpected downloads or even installations (if ads would be designed to run certain scripts).
It is worth mentioning that apps like SampleLight can be designed to hijack web browsers by changing their settings. Most browser-hijacking apps promote fake search engines. It is not safe to use such search engines since they can show misleading results or results generated by untrustworthy search engines.
| Name | Ads by SampleLight |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.26429), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Searchproxy.a), 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
It is common for adware to be promoted as legitimate and useful software. However, most advertising-supported apps get installed inadvertently. In addition to serving unwanted ads, they can collect browsing-related and even sensitive information. Thus, it is highly advisable not to install adware on browsers and computers.
More adware examples are LaunchHistoryResults, InfoMajorSearch, and NetDivision.
How did SampleLight install on my computer?
Adware is distributed using deceptive websites, advertisements, downloaders/installers for other software, and similar methods. Downloaders and installers used to distribute adware have "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced", or similar settings (or ticked checkboxes). Adware gets installed alongside other software after finishing installations without changing those settings.
It is worth mentioning that advertisements can cause unwanted downloads or installations only when designed to run certain scripts. Such ads appear mainly on shady pages.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Do not trust advertisements, fake "Download" or similar buttons, and notifications displayed on or by dubious websites. Use legitimate pages and platforms to download apps (and files). Do not use unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, etc., and other sources of this kind.
Also, deselect unwanted applications before downloading/installing software (it can be achieved by changing the available settings). If your computer is already infected with SampleLight, 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 SampleLight adware:
SampleLight'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 SampleLight?
- STEP 1. Remove SampleLight related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SampleLight ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SampleLight adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SampleLight ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SampleLight adware using Combo Cleaner:
SampleLight adware removal:
Remove SampleLight-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?
Depending on the adware-type application, it can slow down a computer, invade privacy, force you to browse the Internet with a fake search engine, and cause other problems.
What does adware do?
Usually, the purpose of adware is to generate unwanted advertisements. In addition to showing ads, it can hijack a web browser and (or) collect various information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Typically, they monetize adware via affiliate programs. Ads generated by adware usually promote various services, products, and pages.
Will Combo Cleaner remove SampleLight adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will detect and eliminate adware. It is recommended to use specialized software for adware removal because various file leftovers may remain in the system when adware is removed manually.
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