How to remove DirectNetwork from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is DirectNetwork?
DirectNetwork is an advertising-supported application, which means it generates advertisements. Our team has discovered this application while inspecting deceptive pages. It is uncommon for apps like DirectNetwork to be downloaded and installed intentionally. Most of them are promoted and distributed using deceitful methods.
More about DirectNetwork and similar apps
Advertisements displayed by DirectNetwork and similar apps can open phishing websites and other scam pages, download pages for shady applications, etc. Moreover, those ads can be designed to download or install unwanted apps by running specific scripts. Either way, apps like DirectNetwork (their ads) cannot be trusted.
Additionally, apps like DirectNetwork are capable of reading sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, and browsing data. In such cases, these apps are a threat to online privacy - information collected by them can be misused to steal accounts, identities, and more.
| Name | Ads by DirectNetwork |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.26860), 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
Advertising-supported applications display annoying advertisements (e.g., banners, coupons, pop-ups). In some cases, they can gather browsing-related and other information and (or) hijack web browsers. Examples of apps similar to DirectNetwork are BlissFresh, NavigateNetwork, and IndexInterface.
How did DirectNetwork install on my computer?
A big part of apps like DirectNetwork is distributed using deceptive pages offering to download fake Adobe Flash Player installers/updaters. In other cases, adware is distributed via downloaders/installers for other software or by designing ads to run certain scripts.
Adware gets installed via installers for other software when users finish installations without changing "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings (or unticking checkboxes).
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Always use official pages and platforms to download applications. Avoid using other sources such as third-party downloaders, shady pages, P2P networks, torrent sites, etc. Also, check downloaders and installers for "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings and deselect included adware or other unwanted apps before downloading and installing software.
Do not click on advertisements and fake buttons displayed by/on questionable websites. Use reputable antivirus software for computer protection. If your computer is already infected with DirectNetwork, 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 DirectNetwork adware:
DirectNetwork'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 DirectNetwork?
- STEP 1. Remove DirectNetwork related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove DirectNetwork ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove DirectNetwork adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove DirectNetwork ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove DirectNetwork adware using Combo Cleaner:
DirectNetwork adware removal:
Remove DirectNetwork-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 harm your device by slowing it down and hijacking your browser. Also, it diminishes the web browsing experience by showing intrusive ads and can invade privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware displays pop-up ads, banners, coupons, etc. In addition to showing unwanted ads, it can promote a fake search engine and collect information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
In most cases, adware developers participate in various affiliate programs. They use adware to promote websites, products, services, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove DirectNetwork adware?
Combo Cleaner will scan your computer for adware and other unwanted software and remove it. Manual removal does not always work since files or other data belonging to adware remain in the system even after the removal. Thus, we advise using Combo Cleaner for the removal of unwanted apps.
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