How to remove ControlMachine adware and the ads it delivers
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is ControlMachine?
ControlMachine is a rogue application that we determined to be advertising-supported software (adware) from the AdLoad malware family. The ControlMachine app is designed to display advertisements, and it may possess other harmful capabilities.
ControlMachine adware overview
Adware operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. Typically, it displays ads on various interfaces (e.g., visited webpages, desktops, etc.). These adverts can endorse online scams, unreliable/dangerous software, and malware. Once clicked on, some can even execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
It must be mentioned that any genuine products/services encountered through these advertisements are most likely promoted by scammers who abuse their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Advertising-supported software might not deliver intrusive advert campaigns if the browser/system or user geolocation is incompatible, specific websites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. Regardless of whether ControlMachine displays ads – it remains a threat to device integrity and user privacy.
AdLoad apps commonly have browser-hijacking functionalities – however, ControlMachine did not exhibit these qualities during testing.
Additionally, adware tends to have data-tracking abilities, and this might apply to ControlMachine. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. This vulnerable data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
To summarize, software like ControlMachine may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ControlMachine |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| 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. |
Adware examples
LogicalData, DigitalBrowser, and AssistiveLibrary are merely a few of our latest articles on adware. Software within this classification appears harmless and offers handy features. However, it seldom functions as promised, and in most cases – it is utterly nonoperational.
Remember that even if an application or a browser extension works as detailed by its promotional material – that alone does not prove its legitimacy or safety.
How did ControlMachine install on my computer?
Adware is endorsed on legitimate-looking promotional webpages and scam sites. They are most commonly accessed via redirects caused by intrusive ads, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Advertising-supported software can be bundled with regular programs as well. The risk of unintentionally permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by inattentiveness when installing programs (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).
Intrusive advertisements also spread adware. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of adware?
Caution is crucial to device and user safety. Therefore, always research software before downloading or purchasing. Download only from official and verified sources. When installing, read terms, explore options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.
Be vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, while intrusive adverts may look ordinary/innocuous – they redirect to questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with such advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ControlMachine, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ControlMachine adware's installation is over:
ControlMachine 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 ControlMachine?
- STEP 1. Remove ControlMachine related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ControlMachine ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ControlMachine adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ControlMachine ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
ControlMachine adware removal:
Remove ControlMachine-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 decrease browsing quality and system performance. Serious threats are posed by the content endorsed via adware-delivered ads (e.g., system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, etc.). Advertising-supported software typically possesses data-tracking functionalities – therefore, it is considered a threat to user privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware is designed to feed users with unwanted and malicious advertisements. It displays this third-party graphical content on visited websites, desktops, or other interfaces. Additionally, some adware types can force-open webpages and gather vulnerable data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue through content promotion. Its developers/publishers may earn commissions from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, product purchases, or similar. Most of the profit is made via affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ControlMachine adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate installed 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 – file remnants can stay hidden within the system. These components might continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate adware and other unwanted software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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