Removal instructions for the Alcalde.app adware-type application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Alcalde.app?
While inspecting new file submissions to VirusTotal, our research team found Alcalde.app. After analyzing this application, we learned that it is adware from the Pirrit malware family. Alcalde.app is designed to generate revenue through advertising.
Alcalde.app adware overview
Adware runs intrusive advertisement campaigns. It displays third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, banners, surveys, overlays, etc.) on desktops, visited sites, or other interfaces. These ads can endorse online scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and even malware. When clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
Remember that while legitimate products or services may be encountered via these adverts – they are unlikely to be promoted by any official parties. It is most probable that this promotion is performed by scammers who abuse the endorsed continent's affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Adware may also have harmful capabilities, such as browser hijacking or data tracking. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The collected data can be monetized via sale to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of software like Alcalde.app on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Alcalde.app |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Agent-AJI [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Pirrit.9), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Pirrit.CV), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Pirrit.gen), 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
DataCollection, HorizonsHost, and FocusProgrammer are just some of our latest articles on adware. Advertising-supported software usually appears ordinary and useful. However, its functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
It must be stressed that even if a piece of software operates exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that is not irrefutable proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Alcalde.app install on my computer?
Adware can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installations with negligence (e.g., skipping steps and sections, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).
Adware can also have "official" promotional pages, and it is endorsed on scam websites. Most users enter these webpages via redirects caused by intrusive ads, sites employing rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
Intrusive advertisements spread advertising-supported software as well. Some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations upon being clicked.
How to avoid installation of adware?
It is important to research software and download it only from official/verified sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, etc.).
We also advise vigilance while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears legitimate and harmless. For example, while intrusive adverts may look innocuous – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with such advertisements and/or redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Alcalde.app, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
When removing Alcalde.app, it is important to check these folders for its components (the filenames may differ in each folder, yet every single one should contain "Alcalde.app"):
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents
- /Library/LaunchDaemons
- /Library/LaunchAgents
- /Library/StartupItems
Pop-up window displayed when Alcalde.app adware is present on the system:
Text presented in this pop-up:
"Alcalde.app" will damage your computer.
This file was downloaded on a unknown date.
OK
Show in Finder
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 Alcalde.app?
- STEP 1. Remove Alcalde.app related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove Alcalde.app ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove Alcalde.app adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Alcalde.app ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
Alcalde.app adware removal:
Remove Alcalde.app-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 advertisements can endorse content capable of causing serious problems (e.g., system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, etc.). Advertising-supported software can decrease browsing quality and system performance. Additionally, adware is classified as a threat to user privacy since it typically possesses data-tracking abilities.
What does adware do?
Adware operates by placing advertisements on various interfaces, and it might also be capable of force-opening websites and collecting sensitive information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue through content promotion. Its developers may earn commissions from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, product purchases, or similar. Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Alcalde.app adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all adware-type apps that are installed. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without the aid of security tools) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, after the adware has been manually removed – file remnants stay hidden within the system. What is more, these components might continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware and other unwanted software thoroughly.
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