How to eliminate the JourneyDrive adware from your operating system

What is JourneyDrive?

Our researchers found the JourneyDrive application while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. After analyzing this app, we learned that it operates as adware and belongs to the AdLoad malware family.

JourneyDrive adware overview

Adware is designed to enable the placement of third-party graphical content (various advertisements) on visited websites and/or other interfaces.

These ads endorse untrustworthy/harmful sites and software, online scams, and malware. Additionally, some intrusive adverts can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.

Note that any legitimate products encountered via these advertisements are unlikely to be promoted by their actual developers. Instead, this promotion is undertaken by scammers abusing the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

It has to be mentioned that advertising-supported might require specific conditions to run intrusive ad campaigns, e.g., compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to particular sites, etc. However, regardless of whether JourneyDrive displays ads - its presence threatens device and user safety.

Furthermore, JourneyDrive might have browser-hijacking abilities since they are standard for AdLoad adware, although it did not exhibit any during testing.

What is more, JourneyDrive likely has data tracking functionalities. Information of interest may include visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The gathered information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by JourneyDrive
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Agent-TX [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.AdloadTR.1072), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Searchp), 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; AccessibleInput, BluelightFurry, and QueueBuffer are merely a couple of examples. Advertising-supported software usually appears legitimate and offers useful functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.

How did JourneyDrive install on my computer?

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

Additionally, fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in adware distribution. Intrusive adverts proliferate this software as well. Once clicked on, some of the ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

Advertising-supported software can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed through scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects caused by spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, sites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, or installed adware (with the ability to open browsers).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We strongly recommend researching software products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified channels. When installing, it is important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additional apps, tools, extensions, etc.

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

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove JourneyDrive adware using Combo Cleaner:

JourneyDrive adware removal:

Remove JourneyDrive-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. This software is considered to be a privacy threat, as it usually has data tracking abilities. Additionally, adware-displayed adverts can be deceptive/malicious and cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to display advertisements on various interfaces. Some types can also cause redirects and gather private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers generate revenue mainly through affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, software, products, services, and other content.

Will Combo Cleaner remove JourneyDrive adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected adware-type applications. Note that manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might not be a perfect solution. Since despite the adware being (manually) removed - various remnants (files) can stay hidden within the system. Furthermore, these leftovers can continue to run and cause problems. Hence, advertising-supported software must be removed thoroughly.

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