How to eliminate CapacityHour adware and the adverts it displays
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is CapacityHour?
Our research team found the CapacityHour adware-type application during a routine inspection of new submissions to the VirusTotal website. It is part of the AdLoad malware family. This app is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. CapacityHour displays ads that promote deceptive and potentially malicious content.
CapacityHour adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, overlays, coupons, surveys, etc.) on visited websites and/or different interfaces.
These advertisements primarily promote scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and malware. When clicked on, some of them can even execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
Note that while genuine products or services may be encountered via these ads – they 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 to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Adware might not deliver intrusive ad campaigns if the browser/system or user geolocation is incompatible, particular sites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. Keep in mind that even if CapacityHour does not display adverts – its presence on a system remains a threat.
Advertising-supported software belonging to the AdLoad malware family commonly has browser-hijacking abilities – however, we did not observe these qualities while analyzing CapacityHour.
Furthermore, adware usually gathers sensitive information, and this might apply to the CapacityHour app. Targeted data can include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. This vulnerable data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, advertising-supported software like CapacityHour may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by CapacityHour |
| 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 investigated countless adware-type applications; VectorGallery, OperationNetwork, BrowserElement, and KeyboardVirtual are merely some of our latest finds.
Adware tends to appear legitimate and offer a broad range of functionalities. However, these features are typically fake and nonfunctional – their purpose is to serve as bait that tricks users into downloading/installing the software.
It must be stressed that even if an app or a browser extension works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of legitimacy or safety.
How did CapacityHour install on my computer?
"Bundling" – the marketing technique of packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is widely used in adware distribution.
Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the danger of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.
Additionally, adware can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is often endorsed on deceptive/scam sites. Users primarily enter these pages via redirects caused by misspelled URLs, websites employing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with webpage force-opening capabilities).
Another distribution method is stealthy download/installation by intrusive advertisements. Some of these adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform software downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of adware?
Researching software before downloading or purchasing it is essential. We recommend downloading only from official and verified channels. Another recommendation is to treat installations with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.
We also advise being vigilant while browsing since fake and dangerous online content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, despite their ordinary/harmless appearance – intrusive ads redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with CapacityHour, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once CapacityHour adware's installation is over:
CapacityHour 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 CapacityHour?
- STEP 1. Remove CapacityHour related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove CapacityHour ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove CapacityHour adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove CapacityHour ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove CapacityHour adware using Combo Cleaner:
CapacityHour adware removal:
Remove CapacityHour-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 decrease browsing quality and system performance. It delivers ads that promote deceptive/malicious content capable of causing system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, and other serious problems. Advertising-supported software usually has data-tracking functionalities – therefore, it is considered to be a threat to user privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns. This entails displaying third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, overlays, banners, and other types of ads) on visited websites and/or different interfaces. Additionally, some adware types can generate redirects and collect private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue predominantly via affiliate programs by promoting websites, applications, browser extensions, products, services, etc. The developers may earn commissions from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove CapacityHour adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate all adware-type apps present. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be a perfect solution. In some cases, even after the software has been manually removed – various remnants (files) stay hidden within the system. What is more, these components might continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware thoroughly.
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