How to eliminate the DeviceControl adware-type app from your Mac

What kind of application is DeviceControl?

Our researchers found DeviceControl while browsing new file submissions to the VirusTotal site. Upon inspection, we learned that this application is adware from the AdLoad malware family. DeviceControl operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns.

DeviceControl adware overview

Adware is designed to generate revenue for its developers, and the software achieves this purpose by delivering intrusive ad campaigns. Typically, advertising-supported software displays advertisements on visited websites or other interfaces.

However, adware might not work as intended if the browser/system or user geolocation is incompatible, specific sites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. Regardless of whether DeviceControl delivers adverts – it endangers device and user safety.

Adware-displayed ads can endorse various scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and even malware. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

Keep in mind that any genuine content encountered through these adverts is most likely promoted by scammers who abuse its affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

While AdLoad applications often operate as browser hijackers, we did not observe these capabilities while testing DeviceControl.

Advertising-supported software typically has data-tracking functionalities, and this might be true of the DeviceControl app. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. This vulnerable information can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, software like DeviceControl may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by DeviceControl
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.8), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), 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

BasicDisplay, SchedulerProtocol, and ConnectionTiming are just a couple examples of adware we have analyzed recently. Software within this category tends to look ordinary and innocuous.

Users may be lured into downloading/installing adware by promises of various handy and advantageous functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are completely nonoperational.

It must be emphasized that even if an application or a browser extension works exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of legitimacy or safety.

How did DeviceControl install on my computer?

Adware can be bundled with ordinary programs. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping sections, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Additionally, adware can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed via scam sites. Most users get redirected to these pages by websites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

Furthermore, advertising-supported software is proliferated by intrusive advertisements. Some of these adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of adware?

It is essential to research software and download it only from official/verified sources. Installation processes must be approached with caution by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.

We also advise vigilance while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look innocuous – however, they redirect users to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, adult dating, gambling, pornography, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove DeviceControl adware using Combo Cleaner:

DeviceControl adware removal:

Remove DeviceControl-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?

The advertisements delivered by adware can promote harmful content that is capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). The software's presence on a device can decrease browsing quality and system performance. Furthermore, adware usually has data-tracking abilities – hence, it is classed as a privacy threat.

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. Its primary functions can include placing ads on various interfaces, generating redirects, and gathering sensitive information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue through content promotion. The developers may earn commissions from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar. Most of the profit is made via affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove DeviceControl adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and remove installed adware-type apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, after the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – various components (files) remain hidden within the system. These remnants might continue to run and cause issues. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate adware and other unwanted software thoroughly.

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