Removal instructions for PixelUnlimited adware and the ads it displays

What is PixelUnlimited?

Our research team discovered the PixelUnlimited application while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. After analyzing it, we determined that PixelUnlimited operates as advertising-supported software (adware) and is part of the AdLoad malware family.

PixelUnlimited adware overview

Certain factors like compatible browser/system specs or user geolocations, visits to particular websites, and others - may impact whether installed adware displays advertisements. However, regardless of whether PixelUnlimited delivers ads - its presence endangers device and user safety.

Advertising-supported software feeds users with adverts promoting online scams, untrustworthy/harmful websites and software, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements are capable of stealthily downloading/installing software upon being clicked.

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

Furthermore, PixelUnlimited may have browser hijackers qualities since they are not uncommon for AdLoad adware; however, this application did not exhibit any during testing.

What is more, PixelUnlimited likely has data tracking abilities. Targeted information can include: browsing and search engine histories, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The collected information is then monetized through sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of software like PixelUnlimited on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by PixelUnlimited
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.

Adware examples

We have analyzed countless adware samples; CoralMajesty, CycleAfter, and LiftEffort are merely a few examples of our newest finds. Advertising-supported software typically looks legitimate and offers "handy" functionalities. However, these features seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.

How did PixelUnlimited install on my computer?

Adware is promoted through its "official" download pages and scam websites. Users typically enter these webpages via redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

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

Adware can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary software/media. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/verified sources. When installing, it is important to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additions.

We also advise being vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content typically appears legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).

In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PixelUnlimited, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

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

Video showing how to remove PixelUnlimited adware using Combo Cleaner:

PixelUnlimited adware removal:

Remove PixelUnlimited-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 diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It typically has data tracking functionalities, which make this software a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, adware-delivered advertisements promote hazardous content that can cause serious issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it displays ads on visited websites and/or different interfaces. Additionally, some types can force-open webpages and gather private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers generate most of their profit through affiliate programs by endorsing various sites, apps, products, services, and so forth.

Will Combo Cleaner remove PixelUnlimited adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected adware-type applications. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective. In some cases, even after the adware has been (manually) removed - file leftovers remain hidden within the system. What is more, these remnants can continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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