How to remove PlusApparel adware

What kind of application is PlusApparel?

After using a fake installer downloaded from a deceptive page, we discovered the PlusApparel application. We found that PlusApparel is a useless application that displays intrusive advertisements. Thus, we classified PlusApparel as adware.

PlusApparel adware in detail

PlusApparel displays advertisements that can open various scams (e.g., investment, technical support scams), potentially malicious pages, download pages for questionable applications, phishing sites, etc. Moreover, clicking those ads can cause unwanted downloads and installations. Apps like PlusApparel usually generate coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc.

After examining numerous apps similar to PlusApparel, our team found that many of them can read sensitive information (e.g., passwords, credit card details, telephone numbers). Adware developers can misuse accessed information for malicious purposes (sold to third parties, used to steal personal accounts, identities, etc.).

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by PlusApparel
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac 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.

More about adware

In addition to displaying ads, advertising-supported apps can operate as browser hijackers. They change the settings of a web browser (such as the default search engine, homepage, and (or) new tab. In such cases, they promote fake search engines. More examples of adware (apps like LogicCheck) are TripleChop, WiseInternational, and BytesShow.

How did PlusApparel install on my computer?

Adware-type apps targeting macOS users often get installed via fake installers for the Adobe Flash Player downloaded from deceptive websites. Also, users install adware by clicking on shady advertisements or through installers for other software.

Users install adware with other software after finishing the installation processes without changing certain settings. Typically, installers (and downloaders) containing adware have "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings (or ticked checkboxes).

How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?

Download applications from official websites (or stores) and use direct download links. Do not use third-party downloaders, unofficial sites, P2P networks, and similar sources to download files or apps. Also, do not trust advertisements appearing on suspicious websites. Clicking them can lead to malicious pages.

If your computer is already infected with PlusApparel, 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 PlusApparel adware:

PlusApparel'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 PlusApparel?
• STEP 1. Remove PlusApparel related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove PlusApparel ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove PlusApparel adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove PlusApparel ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove PlusApparel adware using Combo Cleaner:

PlusApparel adware removal:

Remove PlusApparel-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?

It can slow down a computer, cover the contents of visited pages with intrusive advertisements, invade privacy, and cause other problems.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported applications generate advertisements (display banners, pop-ups, coupons, surveys, etc.). Sometimes, they operate as browser hijackers and data collectors.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

They generate revenue by promoting various products, services, websites, etc. Most of their money is generated via affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove PlusApparel adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will run a system scan and remove detected adware. It will completely remove adware. It is worth mentioning that after manual removal, files belonging to adware may remain in the system. Thus, we recommend removing adware and other unwanted software with Combo Cleaner.

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