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How to remove ExecutiveActivity from your computer

Also Known As: Ads by ExecutiveActivity
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What kind of application is ExecutiveActivity?

After installing and examining ExecutiveActivity, we determined that this application function as adware. The purpose of ExecutiveActivity is to display various advertisements. Furthermore, it may possess the ability to collect various forms of information. It is important to note that adware is often distributed and promoted through deceptive means.

ExecutiveActivity adware

ExecutiveActivity adware in detail

ExecutiveActivity, being an adware application, can display various types of advertisements. The specific ads it shows can vary, but they typically include pop-up ads, banner ads, in-text ads, and even full-page ads. These ads can lead users to different destinations depending on the advertiser's intentions and campaigns.

Clicking on the ads originating from ExecutiveActivity may redirect users to external websites that are promoting products, services, or other content. Also, these ads may prompt users to download software or files that may be potentially unwanted programs.

Moreover, ads shown by ExecutiveActivity may lead users to suspicious or malicious websites that can pose a threat to the user's device or personal information. These sites could contain scams, phishing attempts, or malware. Additionally, those ads can lead to pages where the adware developer earns a commission for promoting specific products or services.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by ExecutiveActivity
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.H), 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), 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.

More about adware

Adware has the potential to collect various types of data from the affected device, including browsing history, search queries, IP addresses, geolocation, and even personally identifiable information. Also, it can significantly impact the browsing experience by redirecting users to unwanted websites and altering search results.

More examples of advertising-supported apps are CommonHandler, DeveloperEngine, and LauncherLocator.

How did ExecutiveActivity install on my computer?

Adware can be unintentionally installed by users through different means. One prevalent method is downloading and installing software from unreliable or questionable sources, particularly if the installation procedure lacks clear opt-out choices.

Adware can also come bundled with legitimate software, wherein users unknowingly agree to install additional programs during the installation process. Clicking on misleading advertisements or links, visiting malicious websites, or interacting with deceptive online offers can also result in inadvertent adware installation.

How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?

Stick to official websites or trusted app stores when downloading software. Avoid downloading from untrusted sources or unfamiliar websites. During installations, carefully read the prompts and look for any pre-selected checkboxes that indicate additional software installations. Uncheck or decline any optional offers or bundled applications that you do not recognize or trust.

Avoid clicking on suspicious ads, pop-ups, or links that may redirect you to potentially harmful websites. Be cautious when engaging with online offers, especially if they come from untrustworthy sources. If your computer is already infected with ExecutiveActivity, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

A message that appears after the installation of ExecutiveActivity adware:

ExecutiveActivity adware pop-up displayed once installation is done

ExecutiveActivity's installation folder:

ExecutiveActivity adware 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:

Video showing how to remove ExecutiveActivity adware using Combo Cleaner:

ExecutiveActivity adware removal:

Remove ExecutiveActivity-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Manual removal of malicious Mac applications

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

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • 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 possesses the capability to negatively impact both your browsing experience and the overall performance of your system. Additionally, adware raises privacy concerns as it has the ability to track and gather user data.

What does adware do?

Adware, or advertising-supported software, is designed with the explicit purpose of displaying advertisements.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Developers of adware generate a significant portion of their income through affiliate programs, which allow them to earn commissions based on various user actions. These actions encompass clicking on ads, visiting promoted websites, downloading files, making product purchases, subscribing to services, and engaging in similar activities.

Will Combo Cleaner remove ExecutiveActivity adware?

Combo Cleaner has the capability to conduct scans and effectively remove adware applications from computer systems. Depending solely on manual removal methods, without the assistance of security programs, may not ensure complete eradication. In certain cases, remnants of adware files can remain in the system even after manual removal, resulting in persistent issues.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by ExecutiveActivity QR code
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Platform: macOS

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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.