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How to uninstall TrustedBrowser from computers

Also Known As: Ads by TrustedBrowser
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is TrustedBrowser?

After evaluating TrustedBrowser, we found that it generates intrusive advertisements, categorizing it as adware. Besides displaying unwanted ads, TrustedBrowser may also harvest user data. It is recommended that users refrain from installing apps like TrustedBrowser and remove them if already installed on computers.

TrustedBrowser adware

TrustedBrowser adware in detail

TrustedBrowser can bombard users with various ads, including pop-ups, banners, and coupons. Another issue with having TrustedBrowser installed on a computer is that its ads may lead users to untrustworthy websites. These sites may include phishing pages created to extract sensitive information (e.g., login credentials) from unsuspecting users.

Also, users might land on web pages hosting technical support scams. Usually, scammers behind such scams aim to access computers remotely (for malicious purposes), distribute malware, extract money, or steal sensitive information. Moreover, ads from TrustedBrowser might take users to sites hosting unwanted apps or even malicious software.

Furthermore, advertisements generated by TrustedBrowser might lead to fake giveaways, lotteries, surveys, and similar fraudulent schemes. Sometimes, they might trigger unexpected downloads and installations. Overall, it is recommended not to trust such ads to avoid monetary loss, unwanted installations, and other possible consequences.

It is also important to mention that apps like TrustedBrowser can be designed to collect various types of data from devices, including browsing history, search queries, IP addresses, geolocation information, and potentially sensitive information such as usernames and passwords. This data is often used for targeted advertising purposes or sold to third parties for profit.

Therefore, apps like TrustedBrowser should be removed from devices as soon as possible.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by TrustedBrowser
Threat Type Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Rload.4), 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.

More about adware

Adware is software designed to flood users with annoying advertisements. Also, software of this type is often capable gathering browsing-related and (or) other information. This type of software can potentially compromise user privacy and security. Users are advised to avoid adware due to its intrusive nature and potential risks to personal information.

Some examples of apps similar to TrustedBrowser are ValueInterface, ProductivePlatform, and ValueIndexer.

How did TrustedBrowser install on my computer?

Adware is commonly installed alongside freeware or unreliable software, often when users complete installations without deselecting bundled adware using the provided settings, such as "Advanced", "Custom", or "Manual" (or without unticking checkboxes mentioning included adware).

Adware installations can also occur when users click on misleading ads, pop-ups, buttons, notifications from dubious sites, etc. Furthermore, adware can be unknowingly downloaded through P2P networks, unofficial websites or app stores, third-party downloaders, fake software updates, and similar channels.

How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?

Avoid clicking on suspicious pop-ups, ads, buttons, or links encountered on suspicious websites, and do not allow web pages of this kind to send notifications. Use official app stores or websites when downloading software (and files). During software installation, always check for and deselect any unwanted offers.

Additionally, maintain security by using a trusted antivirus tool and performing regular scans to detect and remove any unwanted apps or potential threats. If your computer is already infected with TrustedBrowser, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

A message that appears after the installation of TrustedBrowser:

TrustedBrowser adware pop-up displayed once installation is done

TrustedBrowser's installation folder:

TrustedBrowser adware 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:

Video showing how to remove TrustedBrowser adware using Combo Cleaner:

TrustedBrowser adware removal:

Remove TrustedBrowser-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Manual removal of malicious Mac applications

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

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Usually, users with adware installed on their computers encounter annoying advertisements. Also, adware can cause privacy and security issues.

What does adware do?

The purpose of adware is to generate intrusive advertisements. In addition to showing ads, adware can hijack browsers and collect data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers earn money by promoting products, websites, or services, primarily through affiliate programs. These programs generate revenue based on the number of users who interact with or purchase advertised items.

Will Combo Cleaner remove TrustedBrowser adware?

Combo Cleaner thoroughly scans computers and removes all installed adware-type applications. Manual removal is not always comprehensive; residual files can remain hidden in the system. Even after deleting the software itself, some components may continue to operate.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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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.