Removing OriginalProcess adware-type and the ads it displays

What kind of application is OriginalProcess?

OriginalProcess is a rogue app discovered by our research team during a routine investigation of file submissions to the VirusTotal website. After examining this application, we determined that it is adware from the AdLoad malware family. OriginalProcess is designed to feed users with undesirable and potentially dangerous advertisements.

OriginalProcess adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. Usually, adware displays third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, surveys, coupons, overlays, etc.) on various interfaces.

The adverts commonly promote online scams, unreliable/hazardous software, and even malware. Some of them can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations.

Remember that while genuine content may be pushed through these ads – it is unlikely to be endorsed in this manner by any official parties. The endorsement is most likely undertaken by scammers who abuse the promoted product's affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

Advertising-supported software might not deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns if certain conditions are unsuitable (e.g., incompatible browser/system or user geolocation, specific websites are not visited, etc.). Regardless of whether OriginalProcess displays adverts – this app remains a threat to system and user safety.

While AdLoad applications commonly have browser-hijacking functionalities, OriginalProcess did not exhibit such during testing.

What is more, software within this classification usually has data-tracking abilities, and this might apply to OriginalProcess. Collected information may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. This vulnerable data can be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, advertising-supported software may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OriginalProcess
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. ▼ 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 countless adware-type applications; DominantSoftware, CompressModem, and ControlDivision are merely a couple of our latest articles on this software.

Adware usually looks genuine and harmless. It also tends to offer various "handy" functionalities. However, despite its harmless appearance – this software seldom operates as promised, as the features typically serve the purpose of bait.

Yet even if an app or a browser extension works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did OriginalProcess install on my computer?

Adware can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is endorsed on scam sites. Most visitors access these pages via redirects generated by intrusive ads, mistyped URLs, websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, and installed adware.

Furthermore, advertising-supported software can be bundled with regular programs. The risk of inadvertently permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Adware is also proliferated by intrusive adverts. Some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations upon being clicked.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software prior to downloading or purchasing. All downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. When installing, it is crucial to read terms, investigate available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, etc.).

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, despite their harmless appearance – intrusive ads redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., adult dating, pornography, gambling, pornography, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove OriginalProcess adware using Combo Cleaner:

OriginalProcess adware removal:

Remove OriginalProcess-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 displays ads that may cause system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, and other serious problems. Furthermore, advertising-supported software typically has data-tracking functionalities – hence, it is considered a threat to user privacy.

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. It displays third-party graphical content (ads) on various interfaces. Some types can also generate redirects and collect vulnerable data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers profit mainly through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, applications, browser extensions, products, and other content.

Will Combo Cleaner remove OriginalProcess adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate all adware-type apps installed. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be ideal. In some cases, after the adware has been manually removed – file remnants stay hidden within the system. The remaining components can continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is key to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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