How to eliminate SharedEnumerator adware from the operating system

What is SharedEnumerator?

While checking out new submissions to VirusTotal, our research team found a rogue app called SharedEnumerator. After we inspected this piece of software, we determined that it operates as adware and belongs to the AdLoad malware family.

SharedEnumerator adware overview

Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content (advertisements) on visited websites and/or other interfaces. These ads endorse online scams, unreliable/harmful apps, and even malware. When clicked on, some intrusive adverts can perform downloads/installations without user permission.

It has to be mentioned that any legitimate products encountered through these advertisements are highly unlikely to be promoted by their developers. Instead, this endorsement is undertaken by scammers who abuse the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

Advertising-supported software might not deliver ads if certain conditions are unsuitable (e.g., incompatible browser/system specs, particular sites are not visited, etc.). However, even if SharedEnumerator does not display adverts - its presence threatens device/user safety.

Furthermore, SharedEnumerator might have browser hijacker qualities since they are common for AdLoad adware; however, we did not observe any during testing.

What is more, this rogue application likely gathers private data. Information on interest may include: browsing and search engine histories, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, and so forth. The collected data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SharedEnumerator
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.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. ▼ 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 inspected thousands of adware samples; UnlimitedBolt, IndexerPortal, and ViewOrigin are just a few of our newest finds. Advertising-supported software usually appears ordinary and innocuous. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of various functionalities, which are rarely operational.

How did SharedEnumerator install on my computer?

Adware can have "official" download pages, and it is endorsed on scam websites. Users typically enter webpages of this kind via redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

Additionally, fake Adobe Flash Player updaters are used to distribute advertising-supported software. Intrusive advertisements are employed for this purpose as well. Once clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

Adware can also be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Another recommendation is to be careful when installing, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplementary apps, extensions, etc.

We also advise being vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears ordinary and harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements look legitimate, but they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove SharedEnumerator adware using Combo Cleaner:

SharedEnumerator adware removal:

Remove SharedEnumerator-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 advertisements endorsing deceptive and malicious material, which can cause severe problems like system infections, financial losses, etc. This software is also considered to be a privacy threat, as it usually collects private data.

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to display ads on various interfaces. It may also be capable of causing redirects and gathering sensitive information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers profit primarily through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, applications, products, services, and other content.

Will Combo Cleaner remove SharedEnumerator adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate installed adware-type apps. Note that manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might not be ideal. In some cases, even after the advertising-supported software has been manually removed - various files get left behind. Furthermore, the remaining components might continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate adware thoroughly.

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