Removing GuideInfo adware and the advertisements it delivers

What kind of application is GuideInfo?

GuideInfo is a rogue app discovered by our researchers during a routine investigation of new submissions to the VirusTotal website. After analyzing this software, we learned that it is adware from the AdLoad malware family. GuideInfo is designed to run intrusive advert campaigns.

GuideInfo adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It delivers intrusive ad campaigns; typically, software within this category displays third-party graphical content (ads) on various interfaces.

Said advertisements can promote online scams, unreliable/hazardous software, and even malware. When clicked on, intrusive 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 endorsed in this fashion by the actual developers or other official parties. It is most probable that this is undertaken by scammers who abuse the promoted content's affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

Certain conditions may be required for adware to display adverts, such as a compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to particular websites, and so on. Regardless of whether GuideInfo operates as designed – its presence on a system remains a threat.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking capabilities are common in AdLoad apps. However, we did not observe these functionalities while testing GuideInfo.

What is more, this adware-type app might collect sensitive user data, as data tracking is standard for this software. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can be shared with or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, advertising-supported software is associated with system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by GuideInfo
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 the 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 examined countless adware-type applications; RecordInterface, PracticalEntry, and FilterBoost are merely a couple of our latest articles. Adware usually appears legitimate and harmless.

Users may be lured into downloading/installing this software by promises of various features. However, these functionalities rarely work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Keep in mind that operational features do not prove the legitimacy or safety of an app/extension.

How did GuideInfo install on my computer?

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

Intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-supported software as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

Adware can also have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed by scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects caused by websites employing rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, and installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

Caution is key to device and user safety. Therefore, research software before downloading or purchasing it. Download only from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, read terms, inspect available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, and so forth.

Be careful while browsing, as fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements may look innocuous – however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, etc.).

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

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

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

Video showing how to remove GuideInfo adware using Combo Cleaner:

GuideInfo adware removal:

Remove GuideInfo-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 diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It displays advertisements that promote content capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Furthermore, adware usually has data-tracking abilities – hence, it is classed as a privacy threat.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. Its goal is to generate revenue through advertising. Adware's primary capabilities can include displaying ads on various interfaces, generating redirects, and collecting sensitive information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue through content promotion. The software's 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 GuideInfo adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and remove detected adware-type applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without the aid of security tools) might be ineffective. After the adware has been manually removed – various components (files) can remain hidden within the system. What is more, these remnants might continue running and causing problems. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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