Removing the LiftEffort adware and the advertisements it delivers

What is LiftEffort?

Our research team found the LiftEffort application during a routine inspection of new submissions to VirusTotal. Our analysis of this app revealed that it operates as adware. Additionally, LiftEffort belongs to the AdLoad malware family.

LiftEffort adware overview

Advertising-supported software may require the browser and/or system to be compatible, specific user geolocation, visits to particular websites, or similar - to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (display ads). However, regardless of whether LiftEffort delivers advertisements - its presence endangers device/user safety.

Adware-displayed adverts promote unreliable/dangerous websites and software, online scams, and even malware. Additionally, some intrusive ads can stealthily download/install software when clicked on.

It has to be mentioned that any legitimate products encountered through these advertisements are most likely endorsed by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.

Furthermore, LiftEffort may have browser hijacker traits since they are common for AdLoad adware, although it did not exhibit any during testing.

What is more, this application likely has data tracking abilities. Advertising-supported software usually targets: browsing-related information, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The gathered data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like LiftEffort on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by LiftEffort
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Agent-TX [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.27034), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), McAfee (RDN/Generic.osx), 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.

Adware examples

We have analyzed countless adware-type apps; PlusApparel, WiseInternational, BytesShow, TripleChop - are just a few examples. This software usually appears ordinary and harmless. Adware also offers various features, which are rarely operational.

How did LiftEffort install on my computer?

Adware is spread using deceptive/questionable techniques. It can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled programs into the system.

Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-supported software. When clicked on, some of the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission. Fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in distribution as well.

Adware is also endorsed through questionable download webpages and scam sites. Users typically enter these pages via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We recommend researching software and downloading only from official and verified sources. Additionally, installation processes have to be approached with care, e.g., by reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplements.

We advise being careful when browsing since illegitimate and malicious material usually looks innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements appear legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).

If you encounter adverts/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with LiftEffort, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once LiftEffort adware's installation is over:

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

Video showing how to remove LiftEffort adware using Combo Cleaner:

LiftEffort adware removal:

Remove LiftEffort-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 diminishes the browsing experience and system performance. This software usually has data tracking functionalities, which make it a threat to user privacy. Adware-displayed adverts promote hazardous content that can cause serious problems.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of advertisements on visited sites and/or other interfaces. Adware may also be capable of causing redirects and collecting sensitive data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers primarily generate revenue via affiliate programs by promoting various websites, software, products, services, and so forth.

Will Combo Cleaner remove LiftEffort adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate detected adware-type apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution. In some cases, even after the advertising-supported software has been (manually) removed - file leftovers stay within the system. Furthermore, these remnants might continue running and causing issues. Hence, thoroughness is crucial for adware removal.

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