Removing ModuleView adware from the operating system

What is ModuleView?

Our research team discovered the ModuleView rogue app while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. Our analysis of this piece of software revealed that it is adware. Additionally, ModuleView belongs to the AdLoad malware family.

ModuleView adware overview

Advertising-supported software (adware) displays advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. These adverts promote unreliable/harmful webpages and software, online scams, and malware. Additionally, some intrusive ads are capable of stealthily downloading/installing software upon being clicked.

It is worth mentioning that any legitimate products encountered via these advertisements are most likely endorsed in this manner by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

It has to be mentioned that even if ModuleView (or other adware) does not deliver ads - it endangers device/user safety regardless. Advertising-supported software might not operate as designed if certain conditions are unsuitable, e.g., browser/system specs or user geolocation are incompatible, particular websites are not visited, etc.

ModuleView might have browser hijacker functionalities since they are standard for AdLoad adware, although we did not observe any during testing.

Furthermore, ModuleView likely collects data private data. Targeted information may include browsing and search engine histories, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance/banking-related data, etc. The gathered information is then monetized through sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ModuleView
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 thousands of adware-type apps; DigitGuild, PanelCharge, and StepWarrior are just a couple of examples. Advertising-supported software appears legitimate and offers various features. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

How did ModuleView install on my computer?

Adware can be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. 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.

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

Adware is also promoted on dubious download pages and scam websites. Most users access these sites through redirects caused by webpages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, and installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software products before download/installation and/or purchase. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. When installing, we advise reading terns, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplements.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing since illegitimate and malicious content typically appears innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts look legitimate yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove ModuleView adware using Combo Cleaner:

ModuleView adware removal:

Remove ModuleView-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 browsing experience and system performance. It is also considered to be a privacy threat since this software usually has data tracking functionalities. Furthermore, adware-delivered adverts can be deceptive/malicious and cause serious issues (e.g., system performance, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to display advertisements on visited websites and/or different interfaces. Additionally, it may be capable of causing redirects and gathering private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers profit primarily through affiliate programs by promoting various sites, applications, products, services, and so on.

Will Combo Cleaner remove ModuleView adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected adware-type applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be effective. In some cases, even after the adware has been (manually) removed - various remnants (files) get left behind. Furthermore, these remnants may continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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