How to eliminate the OriginalConnection adware from your Mac
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is OriginalConnection?
While reviewing new submissions to the VirusTotal website, our researchers discovered the OriginalConnection app. This piece of software operates as adware. It also belongs to the AdLoad malware family.
OriginalConnection adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to generate revenue for its developers by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. The ads are displayed on visited webpages and/or other interfaces.
This third-party graphical content primarily promotes online scams, untrustworthy/hazardous software, and even malware. Some of these advertisements can be triggered (by being clicked) to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
It is pertinent to mention that legitimate products or services encountered through these adverts are unlikely to be endorsed in this manner by any official parties. It is most probable that this promotion is undertaken by scammers who abuse the content's affiliate programs in order to acquire illegitimate commissions.
Advertising-supported software may require specific conditions to run intrusive ad campaigns, e.g., compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visit to particular sites, etc. However, even if OriginalConnection does not display adverts – its presence on a system remains a threat.
AdLoad adware often has browser hijacker abilities, but we did not observe any while examining the OriginalConnection app.
Additionally, this rogue application likely collects sensitive information. Targeted data may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. The gathered data can then be shared with or sold to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of advertising-supported software like OriginalConnection on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by OriginalConnection |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.8), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), 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 inspected thousands of adware-type apps; MachineDesktop, PrimaryRemote, and DefaultWindow are merely a few examples.
Advertising-supported software typically looks legitimate and harmless. Users are enticed into downloading/installing it by a broad range of advantageous functionalities. However, these features seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
Keep in mind that even if a piece of software operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.
How did OriginalConnection install on my computer?
The bundling marketing tactic – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is used to distribute adware. The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-support software as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
Adware can also have "official" promotional webpages, and it is endorsed on scam sites. Most visitors to these pages enter them via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/trustworthy channels. Furthermore, installation processes must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advance" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, and so on.
We advise exercising caution while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears ordinary and innocuous. For example, while intrusive advertisements may look legitimate – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OriginalConnection, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once OriginalConnection adware's installation is over:
OriginalConnection 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 OriginalConnection?
- STEP 1. Remove OriginalConnection related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove OriginalConnection ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove OriginalConnection adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove OriginalConnection ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove OriginalConnection adware using Combo Cleaner:
OriginalConnection adware removal:
Remove OriginalConnection-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 content capable of causing severe issues, such as system infections, financial losses, etc. Its presence on a system can decrease browsing quality and system performance. This software is also considered to be a threat to user privacy since it usually collects private data.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to enable the placement of ads on various interfaces. This software may also be capable of generating redirects and gathering vulnerable information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate revenue primarily via affiliate programs by endorsing websites, apps, extensions, products, services, and other content.
Will Combo Cleaner remove OriginalConnection adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all the adware-type applications present. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might be ineffective. In some instances, even after the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – various remnants (files) stay hidden within the system. What is more, the remaining components can continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware thoroughly.
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