Removing the OutlookWade adware from your operating system

What is OutlookWade?

While inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal, our researchers found the OutlookWade application. After analyzing this app, we determined that it operates as adware and belongs to the AdLoad malware family.

OutlookWade adware overview

Advertising-supported software (adware) runs intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other ads on visited websites and/or different interfaces.

These advertisements promote online scams, unreliable/harmful webpages and software, and even malware. Some intrusive adverts are capable of performing stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked. It is pertinent to mention that any legitimate products encountered via these ads are most likely endorsed by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to acquire commissions fraudulently.

Note that even if OutlookWade does not display advertisements, its presence endangers device and user safety. Adware might not deliver intrusive ad campaigns if certain conditions are unsuitable (e.g., incompatible browser/system specs, particular websites are not visited, etc.).

Furthermore, AdLoad adware commonly has browser-hijacking abilities, and this might apply to OutlookWade. However, this app did not exhibit such traits during testing.

What is more, OutlookWade likely has data tracking functionalities. Targeted information may include: browsing and search engine histories, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The collected data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of advertising-supported software like OutlookWade on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OutlookWade
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 applications; VictorSurge, LivingAware, RadioTerabyteSpeed, and EngineInfo are merely some examples. This software usually appears legitimate and offers "useful" features. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

How did OutlookWade install on my computer?

Adware can be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-supported software. Once clicked on, some of these adverts 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 on dubious download webpages and scam sites. Most users access such websites via redirects caused by pages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/verified channels. Additionally, installation processes must be treated with care. Therefore, we advise reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplementary apps, tools, features, etc.

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

If you experience ads/redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OutlookWade, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

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

Video showing how to remove OutlookWade adware using Combo Cleaner:

OutlookWade adware removal:

Remove OutlookWade-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 may diminish browsing quality and system performance. It is also considered to be a threat to user privacy, as this software usually has data tracking abilities. Furthermore, adware-delivered advertisements promote deceptive/malicious content that can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It displays advertisements on visited websites and/or other differences. Additionally, this software may be capable of force-opening sites and gathering private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue primarily through affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, applications, products, services, and other content.

Will Combo Cleaner remove OutlookWade adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate detected adware-type applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal. In some instances, even after the advertising-supported software has been (manually) removed - various files remain hidden within the system. These remnants may continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware thoroughly.

▼ Show Discussion