How to remove NetCreative adware and the advertisements it delivers

What is NetCreative?

While inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal, our researchers discovered the NetCreative rogue app. After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it operates as adware and belongs to the AdLoad malware family.

NetCreative adware overview

Adware may require certain conditions to display advertisements (e.g., compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to specific websites, etc.). However, regardless of whether NetCreative run intrusive advertisement campaigns or not - its presence endangers device/user safety.

Adware-delivered ads endorse online scams, untrustworthy/harmful sites and software, and even malware. Some intrusive adverts are capable of performing downloads/installations without user permission - upon being clicked.

Note that any genuine products encountered via these advertisements are most likely endorsed in this manner by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

NetCreative might also have browser hijacker qualities, as they are pretty common for AdLoad adware. Although, we did not observe any during testing.

Furthermore, this application likely gathers private information such as browsing-related data, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The collected data can then be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of software like NetCreative on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by NetCreative
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.26859), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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

MotionCycle, RidgeWorld, ExecutiveMethod, and RecordQuick are just some examples of the adware-type apps we have analyzed recently. Advertising-supported software typically appears legitimate and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of "useful" functionalities, which are rarely operational.

How did NetCreative install on my computer?

"Bundling" - packing ordinary program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions - is used to proliferate adware. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive adverts proliferate adware as well. When clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission. Additionally, fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in distribution as well.

Advertising-supported software is also promoted through questionable download pages and scam websites. Most users typically access such sites via redirects caused by spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, webpages using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official and trustworthy sources. Furthermore, when installing, it is important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all supplementary apps, tools, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually looks legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements appear harmless yet redirect to unreliable/dubious websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

In case of encounters with ads/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 NetCreative, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

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

Video showing how to remove NetCreative adware using Combo Cleaner:

NetCreative adware removal:

Remove NetCreative-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. It is also deemed to be a privacy threat due to the data tracking abilities that this software usually has. Adware-delivered adverts promote dangerous content that may cause severe issues (e.g., system infection, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to display advertisements on visited webpages and/or different interfaces. Some types can also cause redirects and gather private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers profit primarily through affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, software, products, services, and so forth.

Will Combo Cleaner remove NetCreative adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected adware-type apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution. In some instances, even after the advertising-supported software has been (manually) removed - various remnants (files) stay within the system. What is more, the remaining content might continue running and causing problems. Therefore, adware must be removed thoroughly.

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