Removal instructions for OpticalFraction adware and the ads it delivers
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is OpticalFraction?
Our research team found the OpticalFraction rogue application during a routine inspection of new submissions to the VirusTotal website. After investigating this app, we determined that it is advertising-supported software (adware) belonging to the AdLoad malware family.
OpticalFraction adware overview
Adware is designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns. This software displays ads on visited websites and/or other interfaces. The adverts promote various scams, unreliable/harmful software, and even malware. Once clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
It is noteworthy that while legitimate content may be encountered via these ads – it is unlikely to be promoted by its developers or other official parties. It is most probable that this endorsement is undertaken by scammers who abuse the products' affiliate programs in order to acquire illegitimate commissions.
Advertising-supported software might not run intrusive advert campaigns if certain conditions are unsuitable, e.g., incompatible browser/system, specific websites not visited, etc. However, regardless of whether OpticalFraction displays advertisements – its presence endangers device/user safety.
Many of the AdLoad applications have browser hijacker abilities, although we did not observe any while testing OpticalFraction.
Furthermore, OpticalFraction likely has data-tracking functionalities. Information of interest may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of advertising-supported software like OpticalFraction on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by OpticalFraction |
| 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
WebEnumerator, ViewInput, FormatClick, and ResultsDisplay are merely some examples of adware we have examined recently. Advertising-supported software tends to appear legitimate and offer useful features. The functionalities 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 definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did OpticalFraction install on my computer?
Adware is proliferated using the "bundling" marketing method – packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious additions. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Additionally, adware can have "official" download pages, and it is promoted on scam websites. Users typically access such webpages via redirects generated by sites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
Intrusive advertisements also distribute advertising-supported software. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it from official/verified channels. Furthermore, when installing, it is essential to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additional apps, extensions, features, etc.
We advise being careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, despite their innocuous appearance – intrusive advertisements tend to redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., adult dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OpticalFraction, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once OpticalFraction adware's installation is over:
OpticalFraction 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 OpticalFraction?
- STEP 1. Remove OpticalFraction related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove OpticalFraction ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove OpticalFraction adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove OpticalFraction ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove OpticalFraction adware using Combo Cleaner:
OpticalFraction adware removal:
Remove OpticalFraction-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 diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It displays content capable of causing serious problems, such as system infections, financial losses, etc. Furthermore, advertising-supported software usually has data-racking abilities – therefore, it is classified as a threat to user privacy threat.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It operates by enabling the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, overlays, banners, and other ads) on various interfaces. Some adware-types can also force-open webpages and gather sensitive information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue mainly via affiliate programs by promoting content. The developers might earn commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove OpticalFraction adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all the adware-type apps present. Note 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) remain hidden within the system. What is more, the remnants can continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, advertising-supported software must be eliminated thoroughly.
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