How to remove the SharedKey adware from your Mac
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is SharedKey?
While inspecting new submissions to VirusTotal, our research team discovered the SharedKey application. This piece of rogue software operates as adware. SharedKey also belongs to the AdLoad malware family.
SharedKey adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to run intrusive ad campaigns, i.e., it displays adverts on various interfaces. These advertisements endorse online scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and even malware. Some intrusive ads can be triggered (by being clicked) to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
Note that any genuine content encountered through these adverts is most likely promoted by scammers who abuse its affiliate programs in order to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Advertising-supported software may need certain conditions to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns (e.g., compatible browser/system specs, visits to particular sites, etc.). However, even if SharedKey does not display ads – its presence on a system endangers device/user safety.
AdLoad apps often have browser hijacker qualities, but we did not observe any while testing SharedKey. It must be mentioned that this rogue application likely has data-tracking functionalities.
Targeted information may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials (usernames/passwords), personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The collected data can be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, software like SharedKey can cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by SharedKey |
| 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.h), 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. |
Adware examples
We have examined thousands of adware samples; FunctionValue, ExecutiveActivity, CommonHandler – are merely a couple of our newest finds.
Advertising-supported software usually appears harmless and offers useful features. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It must be stressed that even if an application operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.
How did SharedKey install on my computer?
Adware can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate adware as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
Advertising-supported software can also have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed through scam sites. Most visitors to these pages enter them via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy sources. It is just as important to treat installation processes with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.
Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears innocuous. For example, while intrusive adverts may look legitimate – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with SharedKey, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once SharedKey adware's installation is over:
SharedKey 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 SharedKey?
- STEP 1. Remove SharedKey related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SharedKey ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SharedKey adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SharedKey ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SharedKey adware using Combo Cleaner:
SharedKey adware removal:
Remove SharedKey-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 that promote harmful content capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). It can also diminish the browsing experience and system performance. Advertising-supported software usually has data-tracking abilities; hence, it is considered to be a privacy threat.
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to enable the placement of various advertisements on visited webpages and/or other interfaces. It may also be capable of causing redirects and collecting private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs. Adware developers can earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove SharedKey adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate all adware-type applications present. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, even after the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – file leftovers remain hidden within the system. What is more, the remnants can continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, adware must be eliminated thoroughly.
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