How to remove the CycleAfter adware from your operating system

What is CycleAfter?

CycleAfter is a piece of rogue software classified as adware. We discovered this app while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. Additionally, it has to be mentioned that CycleAfter is part of the AdLoad malware family.

CycleAfter adware overview

Advertising-supported software (adware) displays ads on visited sites and/or different interfaces. These adverts promote unreliable/harmful websites and software, online scams, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements are capable of making stealthy downloads/installations once clicked.

Note that any genuine products encountered through these ads are most likely endorsed by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

It is worth mentioning that adware may require specific conditions to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (e.g., compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to particular sites, etc.). However, regardless of whether CycleAfter delivers advert campaigns - its presence endangers device/user safety.

Furthermore, CycleAfter may have browser hijacker abilities since they are common for AdLoad adware, although this app did not exhibit any during testing.

What is more, CycleAfter likely has data tracking functionalities. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The collected data is then monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of software like CycleAfter on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by CycleAfter
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-AW [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.27056), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Searchpr), 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 thousands of adware-type apps; LiftEffort, BytesShow, RoundEmporium, and PlusApparel are merely a few examples.

This software typically appears legitimate and offers "handy" features. However, these functionalities are seldom operational. Therefore, not only is advertising-supported software useless, but it also threatens device integrity and user safety.

How did CycleAfter install on my computer?

Adware is pushed through "official" promotional webpages and scam sites. Users typically access these websites through redirects caused by mistyped URLs, pages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).

Advertising-supported software is also spread through fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers. Additionally, some intrusive adverts can make downloads/installations without user permission - upon being clicked.

Adware can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs as well. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it from official/verified channels. Furthermore, installation processes must be approached with care. Therefore, we recommend reading terms, studying available options, and using the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all supplements.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing - as illegitimate and malicious content usually looks ordinary and harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements appear innocuous yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

CycleAfter adware removal:

Remove CycleAfter-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 decrease browsing quality and system performance. It is also considered to be a privacy threat since this software usually has data tracking functionalities. Adware-delivered ads endorse deceptive/malicious content that can cause serious issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to display advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Advertising-supported software may also cause redirects and gather private information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates most of the revenue through affiliate programs by promoting websites, apps, products, etc. The developers may earn commission from ad clicks, webpage visits, file downloads, product purchases, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove CycleAfter adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all the adware-type applications present. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal. In some instances, even after the advertising-supported software has been (manually) removed - various remnants (files) stay hidden within the system. Furthermore, these components can continue running and causing problems. Hence, it is paramount to remove adware thoroughly.

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