Removing the ValueFlip adware and the advertisements it delivers

What is ValueFlip?

ValueFlip is a piece of rogue software that our researchers found while inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal. Our analysis of this app revealed that it operates as adware and is part of the AdLoad malware family. ValueFlip runs intrusive advertisement campaigns and likely collects private data.

ValueFlip adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of third-party graphical content (adverts) on visited websites and/or different interfaces.

Adware-delivered ads promote online scams, harmful/dangerous sites and applications, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements can perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.

It has to be mentioned that any legitimate products encountered via these ads are most likely endorsed by scammers who abuse their affiliate programs to obtain commissions fraudulently.

Whether advertising-supported software operates as designed may depend on certain factors, e.g., browser/system compatibility, visits to particular websites, etc. However, even if ValueFlip does not display adverts - its presence on a system endangers device/user safety.

Furthermore, ValueFlip might have browser hijacker functionalities, as they are common for AdLoad adware. However, this rogue app did not exhibit any during testing.

What is more, ValueFlip likely has data tracking abilities. Information of interest may include: browsing and search engine histories, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The gathered data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ValueFlip
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; IntranetLookup, JourneyDrive, and AccessibleInput are just a couple of examples.

Advertising-supported software typically appears legitimate and harmless. It entices users into download/installation and/or purchase with promises of various "useful" features. However, these functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.

How did ValueFlip install on my computer?

Adware is proliferated using the bundling technique - packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements. Download from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the device.

Additionally, intrusive adverts are used to spread adware. Once clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission. Fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in distribution as well.

Advertising-supported software can have "official" download pages, and it is promoted on scam websites. Users typically access such sites through redirects caused by webpages that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, mistyped URLs, or installed adware (with the ability to force-open browsers).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/trustworthy channels. Installation must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, and using the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all additions.

We advise being vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious material usually looks ordinary and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements may appear harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove ValueFlip adware using Combo Cleaner:

ValueFlip adware removal:

Remove ValueFlip-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 and malicious content, which can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Having this software installed onto your device is a privacy concern, as it usually collects private information.

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to deliver intrusive ad campaigns. In other words, it displays advertisements on various interfaces. Furthermore, advertising-supported software may be capable of causing redirects and gathering vulnerable data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Most of the profit is made through affiliate programs. Adware developers may earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, etc.

Will Combo Cleaner remove ValueFlip adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate installed adware-type apps. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. In some instances, even after the adware has been manually removed - various leftovers (files) stay hidden within the system. What is more, the remnants may continue to run and cause issues. Hence, thoroughness is paramount in adware removal.

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