Removal instructions for the ClearInitiator adware-type application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is ClearInitiator?
ClearInitiator is a rogue app discovered by our research team during a routine investigation of new submissions to the VirusTotal site. After examining this application, we determined that it is adware from the AdLoad malware family. ClearInitiator is designed to generate revenue through advertising.
ClearInitiator adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It typically operates by placing third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, overlays, etc.) on visited websites, desktops, or other interfaces.
The displayed advertisements can endorse online scams, unreliable/hazardous software, and even malware. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations.
Note that while legitimate products or services may be encountered via these ads – they are unlikely to be promoted in this manner by any official parties. It is most probable that this promotion is performed by scammers who abuse the endorsed content's affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Advertising-supported software might not deliver intrusive ad campaigns if the browser/system or user geolocation is incompatible, specific sites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. Yet even if ClearInitiator does not display advertisements – it still threatens device integrity and user safety.
We have found many AdLoad adware-type apps with browser-hijacking capabilities in the past – however, we did not observe these traits while testing ClearInitiator.
Adware usually has data-tracking functionalities, and this might apply to the ClearInitiator app. Software within this classification tends to target browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials (usernames/passwords), personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so forth. The gathered information can be shared with or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, advertising-supported software like ClearInitiator may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ClearInitiator |
| 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.H), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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 written about countless adware-type apps; Academization.app, TaskSite, and SaveScheduler are just a couple of our newest articles.
Software of this kind typically appears legitimate and innocuous. Users may be lured into downloading/installing adware by promises of various "handy" functions. However, these functionalities rarely work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
It must be emphasized that even if a piece of software operates exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that alone does not guarantee legitimacy or safety.
How did ClearInitiator install on my computer?
The bundling marketing tactic, which involves packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements – is used to distribute adware.
These setups can be downloaded from various untrustworthy sources, such as freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. Rushed installations compound the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps/sections, used "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).
Some intrusive adverts can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform downloads/installations without user consent. These advertisements are also used to proliferate advertising-supported software.
Additionally, adware is endorsed on legitimate-looking promotional pages and scam websites. Most users enter these webpages via redirects generated by sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. Installation processes must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, and so on.
We also advise being vigilant while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, while intrusive advertisements may look innocuous – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, etc.).
If you keep encountering adverts and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ClearInitiator, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ClearInitiator adware's installation is over:
ClearInitiator 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
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Quick menu:
- What is ClearInitiator?
- STEP 1. Remove ClearInitiator related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ClearInitiator ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ClearInitiator adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ClearInitiator ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ClearInitiator adware using Combo Cleaner:
ClearInitiator adware removal:
Remove ClearInitiator-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?
Ads delivered by adware may promote content capable of causing severe issues, such as system infections, financial losses, and others. The presence of advertising-supported software on devices can decrease browsing quality and system performance. Adware is also considered to be a threat to user privacy, as it typically possesses data-tracking abilities.
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to generate revenue through advertising; this is typically achieved by feeding users with unwanted/malicious advertisements. This third-party graphical content can be displayed on various interfaces. Additionally, some adware types can force-open websites and collect private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue through content promotion. The developers/publishers may earn commissions from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar. Most of the profit comes from affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ClearInitiator adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all detected adware-type apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security tools) might be ineffective. After the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – various remnants (files) can stay hidden within the system. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate adware and other unwanted software thoroughly.
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