How to remove ExplorerTrusted adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is ExplorerTrusted?
Our team has discovered ExplorerTrusted during an analysis of deceptive websites claiming that it is required to update the Adobe Flash Player (encouraging to download a fake installer). It was found that the purpose of ExplorerTrusted is to generate advertisements. Therefore, we categorized it as adware.
ExplorerTrusted adware in detail
Clicking on advertisements displayed by advertising-supported apps such as ExplorerTrusted can open various scam pages, phishing websites, and download sites for questionable (even malicious) apps. Moreover, those ads can be designed to run certain scripts and download (and install) unwanted software.
It is known that apps like ExplorerTrusted can be designed to hijack web browsers by changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to a fake search engine. Usually, those search engines do not generate any unique results (they show results generated by other search engines, including untrustworthy ones).
| Name | Ads by ExplorerTrusted |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Agent-TX [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.26909), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Symantect (OSX.Trojan.Gen), 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. |
More about adware
Adware bombards users with intrusive ads (pop-up ads, banners, coupons, etc.). A big part of adware is useless and can cause various problems. One more reason not to have adware installed on a browser or the operating system is that it can be designed to collect various information. More adware examples are DeliteOutward, PortalUltra, and EmpireFocus.
How did ExplorerTrusted install on my computer?
One of the most popular ways to distribute apps like ExplorerTrusted is to use deceptive installers (e.g., fake Adobe Flash Player installers) promoted on shady pages. In other cases, adware gets installed via dubious ads and alongside other software (software bundled with adware).
When users finish the installation processes without deselecting unwanted offers using "Custom", "Advanced", or similar available settings, they install not only desired software but also adware bundled with it.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications and files from reliable sources (official pages and legitimate stores). Do not use third-party downloaders, P2P networks, torrent sites, etc., to download apps (or files). Always check downloaders and installers for optional downloads and installations and deselect unwanted apps before downloading/installing software.
Do not click on advertisements displayed by questionable websites or allow such pages to show notifications. If your computer is already infected with ExplorerTrusted, 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 ExplorerTrusted adware:
ExplorerTrusted'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 ExplorerTrusted?
- STEP 1. Remove ExplorerTrusted related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ExplorerTrusted ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ExplorerTrusted adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ExplorerTrusted ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ExplorerTrusted adware using Combo Cleaner:
ExplorerTrusted adware removal:
Remove ExplorerTrusted-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, ads displayed by adware conceal the contents of visited pages. Thus, having adware installed diminished the web browsing experience. Additionally, it can slow down a computer and even invade privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware displayed annoying advertisements. In some cases, it can hijack a web browser and collect information about users.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Usually, they participate in affiliate programs to promote various products, services, web pages, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ExplorerTrusted adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove adware from your computer. When adware is removed manually, files belonging to it often remain in the system. Thus, it is recommended to use Combo Cleaner for removal (to remove adware completely).
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