Removal instructions for GreatestZone adware and the ads it displays

What kind of application is GreatestZone?

GreatestZone is a rogue app classed as adware. This piece of software is part of the AdLoad malware family. It is designed to run intrusive ad campaigns but may exhibit other harmful capabilities as well. Our researchers discovered GreatestZone during a routine investigation of new submissions to the VirusTotal website.

GreatestZone adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It displays advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Note that specific conditions may be necessary for adware to operate as designed (e.g., compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to particular sites, etc.). However, even if GreatestZone does not display adverts – its presence on a system endangers device integrity and user safety.

Adware-delivered ads predominantly promote online scams, unreliable/hazardous software, and even malware. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent. Keep in mind that any genuine content encountered through these adverts is most likely endorsed by scammers who abuse its affiliate programs in order to obtain illegitimate commissions.

AdLoad applications often have browser-hijacking capabilities – however, we did not observe these qualities while testing GreatestZone.

Advertising-supported software typically has data-tracking functionalities, and this likely applies to the GreatestZone app. Targeted information may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so forth. This vulnerable data can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like GreatestZone on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by GreatestZone
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-DH [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.23), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.H), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Searchproxy.f), 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.

Adware examples

We have analyzed numerous adware samples; ProfessionalServer, SearchSystem, and IntranetSync are merely a couple of our newest finds. Software within this classification seldom appears suspicious – it tends to look legitimate and harmless.

Users can be lured into downloading/installing adware by promises of various handy features. However, these functionalities are usually fake and nonoperational. 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 either legitimacy or safety.

How did GreatestZone install on my computer?

"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is commonly used to distribute adware. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., by using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Additionally, adware can have "official" promotional pages, and it is endorsed on scam websites. Most visitors access these webpages via redirects caused by sites that employ rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).

Advertising-supported software is also proliferated by intrusive adverts. Some of these advertisements can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, while intrusive ads may look innocuous – they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with GreatestZone, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once GreatestZone adware's installation is over:

GreatestZone 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 GreatestZone?
• STEP 1. Remove GreatestZone related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove GreatestZone ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove GreatestZone adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove GreatestZone ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove GreatestZone adware using Combo Cleaner:

GreatestZone adware removal:

Remove GreatestZone-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. This software delivers advertisements promoting content that could cause system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, and other serious problems. Additionally, adware is deemed to be a privacy threat since it typically has data-tracking abilities.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It enables the placement of third-party graphical content (ads) on visited websites and/or different interfaces. Furthermore, some adware types can also force-open webpages and collect sensitive information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue through content promotion (e.g., websites, applications, browser extensions, products, services, etc.). Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove GreatestZone adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate all adware-type apps present. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without the aid of security software) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, after the adware has been manually removed – various remnants (files) stay hidden within the system. Furthermore, these components might continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate adware thoroughly.

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