How to remove PlusTarget adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is PlusTarget?
PlusTarget is an advertising-supported application. The purpose of this app is to display various advertisements (e.g., banners, coupons, pop-ups). We have discovered this app while inspecting deceptive websites. It is not a trustworthy app that should never be downloaded and installed.
PlusTarget adware in detail
In most cases, clicking on advertisements generated by apps like PlusTarget opens untrustworthy websites. Those websites can be designed to trick visitors into providing personal information, downloading questionable (or even malicious) software, purchasing fake or unnecessary apps, etc. In some cases, clicking those ads can download and install unwanted apps.
It is worth mentioning that some adware-type apps can hijack web browsers. They change some of their settings to promote a fake search engine. It is not safe to use fake search engines. Many of them promote shady websites and (or) show results generated by untrustworthy search engines.
| Name | Ads by PlusTarget |
| 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. |
More about adware
It is very common for adware to be downloaded and installed unknowingly/inadvertently or because it is promoted as legitimate/useful software. Either way, all advertising-supported apps generate unwanted ads. It is worth mentioning that some of them can be designed to collect various data.
More adware examples are ProgressionLegion, SampleLight, and LaunchHistoryResults.
How did PlusTarget install on my computer?
Usually, adware is installed (or downloaded) by clicking deceptive advertisements, using fake installers, or leaving settings available in downloaders and installers unchanged. Advertisements can download or install adware when designed to run certain scripts.
Downloaders/installers used to distribute adware have "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings or ticked checkboxes. Adware gets installed after installing software without changing the settings mentioned above.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Do not finish downloading and installing software until unwanted apps (optional downloads and installations) are deselected. Simply said, do not forget to check downloaders/installers for available settings.
Also, do not click on advertisements or notifications displayed by shady websites. Download apps from official pages (avoid using third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and similar sources). If your computer is already infected with PlusTarget, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
A pop-up window that appears after the installation:
PlusTarget'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 PlusTarget?
- STEP 1. Remove PlusTarget related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove PlusTarget ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove PlusTarget adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove PlusTarget ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove PlusTarget adware using Combo Cleaner:
PlusTarget adware removal:
Remove PlusTarget-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?
In most cases, the main issue with having adware installed on the operating system is that intrusive advertisements cover the contents of visited websites. Additionally, adware can slow down a computer and invade privacy.
What does adware do?
It generates advertisements. Also, there are plenty of advertising-supported apps that can hijack web browsers and collect data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Usually, they use various affiliate programs to monetize adware. They promote websites, products, services, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove PlusTarget adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and eliminate all advertising-supported applications. It is recommended to remove adware automatically because some files belonging to adware may remain hiding in the system after manual removal.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion