Removal instructions for BasicEngine adware and the adverts it displays

What is BasicEngine?

Our researchers found the BasicEngine rogue application while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. After analyzing this app, we determined that it works as advertising-supported software (adware) and is part of the AdLoad malware family.

BasicEngine adware overview

Advertising-supported software displays ads on visited webpages and/or other interfaces. These advertisements endorse unreliable/harmful websites and software, online scams, and even malware. Additionally, once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.

It is pertinent to mention that any legitimate products encountered via these advertisements are most likely promoted by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.

Note that adware may require certain conditions to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (e.g., compatible browser/system specs or user geolocation, visits to particular sites, etc.). However, whether BasicEngine delivers adverts is irrelevant - as its presence endangers device and user safety regardless.

Advertising-supported software belonging to the AdLoad family often has browser-hijacking qualities - this might also apply to BasicEngine. However, this app did not exhibit any during our analysis.

Furthermore, adware usually collects private data, and this is likely true of BasicEngine. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by BasicEngine
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.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

SkyWebProcess, UnitySquad, NetCreative, RidgeWorld - are just some examples of the adware that we have analyzed recently. Advertising-supported software usually appears legitimate and innocuous. Users are enticed into download/installation with "handy" features. However, these functionalities are rarely operational.

How did BasicEngine install on my computer?

Adware is proliferated using the bundling marketing tactic - packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious supplements. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the device.

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

Adware is also promoted through dubious download pages and scam sites. Users typically access websites of this type via redirects caused by misspelled URLs, webpages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with webpage force-opening capabilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching products and downloading them only from official and verified channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing since illegitimate and malicious content usually appears harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements look legitimate yet redirect to unreliable/harmful sites (e.g., pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove BasicEngine adware using Combo Cleaner:

BasicEngine adware removal:

Remove BasicEngine-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 displays ads that promote deceptive/malicious content that can cause severe issues like system infections, financial losses, etc. It diminishes browsing experience and system performance. Additionally, this software typically has data tracking functionalities - hence, it is also a privacy threat.

What does adware do?

Adware displays advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Furthermore, advertising-supported software may be capable of force-opening sites and gathering private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates most of the profit through affiliate programs by promoting websites, applications, products, and other content. The developers may earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove BasicEngine adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning computers and eliminating 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 leftovers (files) get left behind. Furthermore, the remnants may continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware thoroughly.

▼ Show Discussion