How to remove the AdjustableRotator adware from your operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is AdjustableRotator?
AdjustableRotator is a rogue application that our researchers discovered during a routine investigation of new submissions to VirusTotal. Our analysis of this app revealed that it works as advertising-supported software (adware). We also determined that AdjustableRotator belongs to the AdLoad malware family.
AdjustableRotator adware overview
Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other intrusive adverts) on visited websites and/or different interfaces.
These ads endorse online scams, unreliable/harmful webpages and software, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements can make stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked. It is pertinent to mention that any legitimate products encountered via these adverts are most likely promoted by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.
However, advertising-supported software might not display advertisements if certain conditions are unsuitable (e.g., incompatible browser/system, particular websites are not visited, etc.). Regardless of whether AdjustableRotator delivers ads or not - its presence endangers device/user safety.
AdjustableRotator might have browser hijacker qualities as they are typical for AdLoad adware; however, this app did not exhibit any during testing.
Furthermore, AdjustableRotator likely gathers private data. Advertising-supported software usually collects browsing-related information, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. The collected data is then monetized via sake to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of software like AdjustableRotator on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by AdjustableRotator |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.16), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), 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. |
Adware examples
We have analyzed thousands of adware samples; OpticalTransaction, UniversalHandler, and GeneralDisplay are just a few of our newest finds.
This software tends to appear legitimate and innocuous. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of "handy" features. However, these functionalities seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did AdjustableRotator install on my computer?
Adware can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.
Advertising-supported software is also promoted on dubious download pages and scam websites. Users typically enter these webpages via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in distribution as well. Additionally, intrusive advertisements are used to proliferate adware. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. Additionally, 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.
We advise being vigilant when browsing since illegitimate and malicious content typically looks ordinary and harmless. For example, intrusive adverts appear legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you experience such ads and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with AdjustableRotator, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once AdjustableRotator adware's installation is over:
AdjustableRotator 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
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Quick menu:
- What is AdjustableRotator?
- STEP 1. Remove AdjustableRotator related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove AdjustableRotator ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove AdjustableRotator adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove AdjustableRotator ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove AdjustableRotator adware using Combo Cleaner:
AdjustableRotator adware removal:
Remove AdjustableRotator-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 deemed to be a privacy threat, as this software usually has data tracking functionalities. Adware-delivered advertisements promote dangerous content that can cause serious problems (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to display ads on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Additionally, it may be capable of causing redirects and gathering private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates most of the profit through affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, apps, products, services, etc. The developers might earn commission from ad clicks, webpage visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove AdjustableRotator adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type apps. Note 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 - file leftovers remain within the system. What is more, such components can continue running and causing issues. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate adware thoroughly.
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