How to eliminate CrownVanirty adware from the operating system
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is CrownVanirty?
CrownVanirty is a piece of rogue software that our researchers discovered during a routine inspection of new submissions to VirusTotal. We determined that this application operates as advertising-supported software (adware) and belongs to the AdLoad malware family.
CrownVanirty adware overview
Adware is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it displays adverts on visited websites and/or other interfaces. These ads endorse online scams, unreliable/harmful sites and software, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements can perform stealthy downloads/installations when clicked.
It is pertinent to mention that any legitimate products/services encountered via these adverts are most likely promoted by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
It is noteworthy that advertising-supported software might not deliver ads if certain conditions are unsuitable (e.g., incompatible browser/system, specific websites not visited, etc.). However, regardless of whether CrownVanirty delivers intrusive ad campaigns - its presence on a system endangers device and user safety.
Furthermore, AdLoad adware commonly has browser hijacker functionalities; however, CrownVanirty did not exhibit any during testing.
What is more, this rogue app likely has data tracking abilities. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. The collected data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of software like CrownVanirty on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
Name | Ads by CrownVanirty |
Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.AdloadTR.1137), 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. |
Adware examples
We have analyzed thousands of adware-type applications; AdminPerformance, SharedEnumerator, and UnlimitedBolt are merely a few examples. Advertising-supported software appears harmless and offers various functions. However, these features seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did CrownVanirty install on my computer?
Adware is proliferated using the bundling marketing method - packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps, used "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate adware. Some of them are capable of performing downloads/installations without user consent - upon being clicked. Fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in distribution as well.
Advertising-supported software is also promoted on its "official" download webpages and scam sites. Most users enter these pages through redirects caused by misspelled URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
How to avoid installation of adware?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. When installing, it is crucial to read terms, inspect possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.
Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing since fraudulent and malicious material usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with CrownVanirty, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once CrownVanirty adware's installation is over:
CrownVanirty 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
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Quick menu:
- What is CrownVanirty?
- STEP 1. Remove CrownVanirty related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove CrownVanirty ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove CrownVanirty adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove CrownVanirty ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove CrownVanirty adware using Combo Cleaner:
CrownVanirty adware removal:
Remove CrownVanirty-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. It typically has data tracking functionalities - therefore, it is deemed to be a privacy threat. Additionally, adware-displayed ads promote dangerous content capable of causing serious problems (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware runs intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e., displays ads on various interfaces. Additionally, this software may be able to cause redirects and gather private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate revenue mainly via affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, applications, products, services, and so forth.
Will Combo Cleaner remove CrownVanirty adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type applications. It has to be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, even after the adware has been manually removed - various leftover components (files) can stay hidden within the system. Furthermore, these remnants might continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.
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