How to remove PortalUltra from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is PortalUltra?
PortalUltra is an application that our team has discovered after using a fake installer downloaded from a deceptive website. It was found that PortalUltra is a useless application designed to display annoying advertisements. Thus, we categorized this app as adware.
More about PortalUltra
Clicking ads (pop-ups, banners, coupons, etc.) shown by the PortalUltra application can open untrustworthy websites. It is common for ads displayed by such apps to open phishing pages, technical-support scam sites, download pages for shady apps, etc. Sometimes, clicking them can cause unwanted downloads or even installations.
Additionally, adware can be designed to gather information about users. Typically, it targets browsing-related information. However, our team has tested plenty of advertising-supported apps capable of reading credit card details, passwords, and other sensitive information.
| Name | Ads by PortalUltra |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Agent-TX [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.26984), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Symantec (OSX.Trojan.Gen.2), 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
Adware displays intrusive advertisements that promote questionable (potentially malicious) web pages and apps. Pretty often, it can read personal data and (or) hijack a web browser (change its settings). Thus, it is highly advisable not to download and install apps like PortalUltra.
More adware examples are EmpireFocus, HybridSpace, and TripleWhole.
How did PortalUltra install on my computer?
Advertising-supported apps similar to PortalUltra often are distributed using deceptive websites encouraging visitors to download fake updaters/installers. In other cases, they get installed via deceptive advertisements designed to run certain scripts and installers for other software.
In the last case, adware gets installed after finishing software installation processes without deselecting unwanted apps. Software bundled with adware has "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings in its installer. Leaving those settings unchanged often leads to unwanted installations (or downloads).
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications from trustworthy sources (official websites, stores). Deselect unwanted apps before downloading and installing software (it can be achieved by changing the available settings). Do not click on advertisements appearing on shady websites. Do not use third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and similar sources to download software/files.
If your computer is already infected with PortalUltra, 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 PortalUltra adware:
PortalUltra's installation 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 PortalUltra?
- STEP 1. Remove PortalUltra related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove PortalUltra ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove PortalUltra adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove PortalUltra ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove PortalUltra adware using Combo Cleaner:
PortalUltra adware removal:
Remove PortalUltra-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 problem with having adware installed is that this software generates advertisements that conceal the contents of visited pages. In addition to the diminished web browsing experience, adware can slow down a computer and invade privacy.
What does adware do?
The purpose of adware is to display annoying advertisements (banners, pop-ups, coupons, etc.). Also, adware can be designed to hijack a web browser and collect data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Typically, they generate revenue via affiliate programs by promoting various products, services, websites, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove PortalUltra adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove adware from the operating system. It is recommended to remove adware automatically since it is often difficult to remove adware manually without leaving anything behind.
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