How to remove MainFrameSelect adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of malware is MainFrameSelect?
While inspecting deceptive websites offering to download "useful" applications, update outdated software, etc., we discovered an application called MainFrameSelect. During our analysis, we learned that MainFrameSelect is advertising-supported software (adware) that shows intrusive advertisements. Thus, it is recommended not to trust this app.
MainFrameSelect adware in detail
MainFrameSelect displays banners, pop-up ads, coupons, surveys, and other advertising material. Those ads are not only intrusive but also can open untrustworthy websites. For example, those ads can lead to phishing pages, technical support scam sites, websites offering to download shady apps, and even malicious pages.
Sometimes, adware can generate ads designed to run certain scripts that download or even install undesired software. One more reason not to have MainFrameSelect installed is that it may gather various data. After examining many apps similar to MainFrameSelect, our team found that some of them can read sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, etc.
| Name | Ads by MainFrameSelect |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-DH [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.27517), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Searchproxy.f), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
More about adware
Advertising-supported applications are often promoted as legitimate and useful. Nevertheless, their purpose is to display unwanted ads. Users often download and install adware unknowingly/unintentionally. Sometimes, these apps can change the address of a default search engine, homepage, and new tab. It can hijack a web browser.
More adware examples are LegendDeploy, ActiveLink, and PowerAnalytics.
How did MainFrameSelect install on my computer?
Apps like MainFrameSelect are distributed mostly via fake installers (e.g., fake installers for the Adobe Flash Player). These installers are distributed using deceptive pages claiming that some installed software is outdated. In other cases, users install adware via deceptive ads and software bundles.
If the software is bundled with adware (or other unwanted apps), it has "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings in its installer. Users agree to install adware when they finish installations without changing those settings.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications from official websites and stores. It is not safe to use unofficial sites, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and other sources to download apps. Ads that offer to download software cannot be trusted too.
Also, do not click on ads and fake buttons displayed by dubious sites or allow shady pages to show notifications. Always deselect optional (unwanted) installations before installing programs bundled with unwanted apps. If your computer is already infected with MainFrameSelect, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
A window that pops up after the installation of MainFrameSelect adware:
MainFrameSelect'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 MainFrameSelect?
- STEP 1. Remove MainFrameSelect related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove MainFrameSelect ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove MainFrameSelect adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove MainFrameSelect ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove MainFrameSelect browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
MainFrameSelect adware removal:
Remove MainFrameSelect-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?
While installed, adware can slow down a computer, diminish the web browsing experience by hijacking a web browser (and showing ads that cover the contents of websites) and cause other problems.
What does adware do?
Advertising-supported applications display unwanted advertisements. Additionally, they can be designed to change the settings of web browsers and gather various information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Typically, they participate in affiliate programs. They are paid for promoting various websites, products, services, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove MainFrameSelect adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove adware from the operating system. It is worth mentioning that manual removal can be a difficult task - files or other components may remain in the system even after adware is no longer present/installed. Thus, it is recommended to eliminate adware with Combo Cleaner. This app removes unwanted software completely.
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