Removal instructions for AuroraShack adware and the ads it delivers
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is AuroraShack?
While investigating new submissions to VirusTotal, our researchers found the AuroraShack application. After analyzing it, we determined that this app operates as adware (i.e., runs intrusive ad campaigns) and belongs to the AdLoad malware family.
AuroraShack adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to enable the placement of ads on various interfaces. In addition to diminishing the browsing experience, these advertisements endorse online scams, untrustworthy/dangerous websites and software, and even malware.
Some intrusive adverts can perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked. It has to be mentioned that any legitimate products encountered via these ads are most likely promoted by scammers abusing their affiliate programs in order to acquire commissions fraudulently.
Adware may require certain conditions to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (e.g., compatible browser/system specs or user geolocation, visits to particular sites, etc.). However, even if AuroraShack does not display adverts - its presence endangers device/user safety.
Furthermore, this rogue application may have browser hijacker functionalities, as they are common for AdLoad adware, although it did not exhibit any during testing.
What is more, AuroraShack likely has data tracking functionalities. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking information, etc. The collected data can then be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of advertising-supported software like AuroraShack on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by AuroraShack |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Agent-TX [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.AdloadTR.1081), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Searchprox), 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-type apps; PowerSet, ValueFlip, and IntranetLookup are merely a couple of examples. This software typically appears legitimate and offers "useful" and "advantageous" features. However, these functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.
How did AuroraShack install on my computer?
Adware is proliferated using the "bundling" marketing tactic - packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious additions. 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.
Intrusive advertisements are used to distribute adware as well. Once clicked on, some of the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations without user permission. Additionally, fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in distribution.
Advertising-supported software is also promoted on dubious download pages and scam websites. Most users access sites of this kind via redirects caused by webpages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, 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 only from official/verified sources. It is just as important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.
We advise caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious material usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements may look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with AuroraShack, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once AuroraShack adware's installation is over:
AuroraShack 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is AuroraShack?
- STEP 1. Remove AuroraShack related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove AuroraShack ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove AuroraShack adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove AuroraShack ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove AuroraShack adware using Combo Cleaner:
AuroraShack adware removal:
Remove AuroraShack-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 usually has data tracking abilities, which make it a privacy threat. Adware-delivered advertisements can be deceptive/malicious and lead to severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to enable the placement of various advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Additionally, this software may be capable of causing redirects and collecting private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates most of the profit through affiliate programs by endorsing various sites, 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 AuroraShack adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected adware-type applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective. In some cases, even after the adware has been manually removed - various leftovers (files) stay hidden within the system. What is more, these remnants may continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is paramount to remove advertising-supported software thoroughly.
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