How to remove the TrackBrowserMultitask adware-type app from your Mac

What kind of application is TrackBrowserMultitask?

While checking out new file submissions to the VirusTotal platform, our research team discovered TrackBrowserMultitask. After examining this application, we learned that it is advertising-supported software (adware) from the AdLoad malware family. TrackBrowserMultitask is designed to feed users with unwanted and potentially harmful advertisements.

TrackBrowserMultitask adware overview

Adware usually operates by enabling the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., overlays, pop-ups, coupons, and other ads) on visited websites and/or different interfaces.

The displayed advertisements endorse online scams, unreliable/hazardous software, and even malware. Some of the adverts can even be triggered (by being clicked) to perform stealthy downloads/installations. Keep in mind that any genuine content encountered via these ads is most likely promoted by scammers abusing its affiliate programs in order to obtain illegitimate commissions.

Specific conditions may be necessary for advertising-supported software to run intrusive ad campaigns (e.g., compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to particular sites, etc.). Note that even if TrackBrowserMultitask does not display advertisements – this app's presence on a system threatens device/user safety.

AdLoad adware commonly has browser-hijacking traits; however, TrackBrowserMultitask did not exhibit these functionalities during our analysis.

Software within this classification tends to have data-tracking abilities, and this might be true of TrackBrowserMultitask. Targeted data may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. This sensitive data can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

In summary, the presence of advertising-supported software like TrackBrowserMultitask on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by TrackBrowserMultitask
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.Searchprox), 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

SettleTopic, SimpleGrid, Sighful.app, Skat.app, and PlatformIndex are just some examples of adware we have analyzed recently. It typically appears ordinary and harmless.

Users may be enticed into downloading/installing adware by offers of handy functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It is worth mentioning that operational features do not prove a software's legitimacy or safety.

How did TrackBrowserMultitask install on my computer?

Adware is endorsed on legitimate-looking download pages and scam websites. Users primarily enter these webpages via redirects generated by sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, or installed adware (with the ability to force-open sites).

Advertising-supported software can also be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Adware is proliferated by intrusive adverts as well. Some of these advertisements can execute scripts to sneakily download/install software upon being clicked.

How to avoid installation of adware?

It is important to always research software before downloading or purchasing it. We recommend downloading only from official and verified sources. Installation processes must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, investigating available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, tools, extensions, features, etc.

We also advise being vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, adult dating, gambling, pornography, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove TrackBrowserMultitask adware using Combo Cleaner:

TrackBrowserMultitask adware removal:

Remove TrackBrowserMultitask-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-delivered adverts promote content that may cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). The presence of advertising-supported software on the device can decrease browsing quality and system performance. Additionally, adware is deemed to be a privacy threat since it usually has data-tracking abilities.

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns. It enables the placement of ads on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Some types can also generate redirects and collect private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers profit mainly via affiliate programs by endorsing content (e.g., websites, apps, extensions, products, services, etc.).

Will Combo Cleaner remove TrackBrowserMultitask adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected adware-type apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (performed without security programs) might not be a perfect solution. In some instances, various file remnants stay hidden within the system – after the adware has been manually removed. These components may continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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