How to remove AdvancedControl
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is AdvancedControl?
Our team has discovered an application named AdvancedControl while inspecting a deceptive page offering to update the Adobe Flash Player. After installing and examining AdvancedControl, we found that this app operates as adware - it displays unwanted/intrusive advertisements.
AdvancedControl adware in detail
Clicking on ads (e.g., pop-ups, banners, coupons) displayed by AdvancedControl can open untrustworthy websites (e.g., phishing pages, download pages for shady apps, various scams). Also, it can cause unexpected downloads (or even installations). Ads can download or install unwanted software when designed to execute certain scripts.
We have examined many advertising-supported similar to AdvancedControl and noticed that some of them can gather information. They can access sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers, etc. Thus, it is highly advisable not to install AdvancedControl (or any similar app).
| Name | Ads by AdvancedControl |
| 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.j), 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
The purpose of adware is to generate advertisements. In addition to displaying ads, software of this type can hijack web browsers (to promote fake search engines), and gather data. It is worth mentioning that most advertising-supported apps are promoted as legitimate/useful.
A couple examples of other adware-type apps discovered by us are VistaQuantum, ApproachWired, and VoltageTask.
How did AdvancedControl install on my computer?
In many cases, adware is distributed using deceptive websites (e.g., pages encouraging to download fake installers) and advertisements. Also, it is distributed using downloaders/installers for other software.
Downloaders/installers with adware included in them have "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced", or similar settings. Adware gets installed (alongside other software) when the installation process is completed without changing the settings mentioned above (without deselecting optional installations).
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications and files from trustworthy sources such as official web pages and platforms. Avoid using shady pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, etc., as sources for downloading software. Also, do not click on advertisements, fake buttons, or notifications displayed by shady sites.
Check downloaders/installers for unwanted apps (and deselect them) before downloading/installing software. If your computer is already infected with AdvancedControl, 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 AdvancedControl adware:
AdvancedControl'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 AdvancedControl?
- STEP 1. Remove AdvancedControl related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove AdvancedControl ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove AdvancedControl adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove AdvancedControl ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove AdvancedControl adware using Combo Cleaner:
AdvancedControl adware removal:
Remove AdvancedControl-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?
Usually, the main issue with adware is that it generates advertisements that cover the contents of visited pages. It diminished the web browsing experience. Also, it can cause problems such as poor computer performance and invaded privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware generates advertisements. Also, software of this type can have additional functionalities - it can hijack a web browser and gather data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most adware developers use affiliate programs to monetize adware. They promote various pages, services, products, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove AdvancedControl adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove adware from the operating system. Complete manual removal can be challenging because files belonging to adware may remain in the system even after the removal. Thus, we recommend using Combo Cleaner for adware removal.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion