How to remove HotComplete adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is HotComplete?
We have discovered the HotComplete application while examining untrustworthy websites. After downloading and installing the app, we found that it generates annoying/intrusive advertisements. For this reason, we have classified HotComplete as an advertising-supported application.
More about the HotComplete adware
Clicking on advertisements generated by adware like HotComplete can open shady websites asking to provide sensitive information, download potentially malicious software, call fake technical support numbers, etc. Also, clicking them can cause unexpected downloads or even installations.
After examining plenty of apps similar to HotComplete we found that some of them can hijack web browsers by changing their settings. They are used to feed users with unwanted ads and force them to browse the Internet using fake search engines. Search engines of this kind can promote untrustworthy websites and show results by shady search engines.
| Name | Ads by HotComplete |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.26519), 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. |
Adware in general
It is common for advertising-supported applications to be promoted as legitimate/useful apps. Also, they tend to be distributed using questionable methods (e.g., deceptive pages, dubious advertisements). It is highly advisable not to have any adware installed on a computer.
More adware examples are ProgressionLegion, SampleLight, and LaunchHistoryResults.
How did HotComplete install on my computer?
Apps like HotComplete often are distributed via fake installers disguised as legitimate installers for the Adobe Flash Player. In other cases, they get downloaded via shady ads or installed alongside other programs.
When adware is bundled with other software, that software has "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings in its installer. Unwanted downloads and installations are caused by leaving the aforementioned settings unchanged.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Do not click on advertisements displayed on questionable websites. Download applications (and files) from legitimate sources such as official pages and direct download links. Avoid using unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, etc., as sources for downloading software.
Also, deselect unwanted applications included in downloaders/installers before downloading/installing software. As we mentioned in the previous section, it can be achieved by changing certain settings. If your computer is already infected with HotComplete, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
A pop-up that appears after installation:
HotComplete installed on Safari (it can read sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, and more):
HotComplete'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 HotComplete?
- STEP 1. Remove HotComplete related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove HotComplete ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove HotComplete adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove HotComplete ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove HotComplete adware using Combo Cleaner:
HotComplete adware removal:
Remove HotComplete-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?
Having adware installed on your computer can cause different problems. The most common ones are diminished web browsing experience, decreased computer performance, and (or) invaded privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware generates intrusive advertisements. It is also known that adware can be designed to hijack web browsers and collect data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
In most cases, they participate in affiliate programs and promote various products, services, websites, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove HotComplete adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove all adware-type applications. It is important to know that it can be difficult to remove adware manually - files belonging to adware may remain in the operating system even after the removal. Thus, we recommend using apps like Combo Cleaner for removal.
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