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How to eliminate the Wrongfully.app adware from your Mac

Also Known As: Ads by Wrongfully.app
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What kind of application is Wrongfully.app?

While reviewing file submissions to the VirusTotal website, our researchers found the Wrongfully.app application. Upon inspection, we determined that this piece of software is part of the Pirrit adware family. Wrongfully.app adware is designed to feed users with unwanted and potentially malicious advertisements.

Wrongfully.app adware detections on VirusTotal

Wrongfully.app adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software; its purpose is to generate revenue for its developers/publishers through advertising. Typically, software within this classification displays ads on various interfaces.

This third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, coupons, overlays, banners, etc.) can promote online scams, unreliable/harmful software, and even malware. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

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

Adware might not operate as designed if the browser/system is incompatible, specific websites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. Regardless of whether Wrongfully.app displays ads – it threatens device integrity and user privacy.

Advertising-supported software similar to Wrongfully.app often exhibits browser-hijacking abilities – however, we did not observe these functionalities while testing this application.

Furthermore, adware usually collects sensitive information, and Wrongfully.app might have such data-tracking abilities. Data of interest may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so forth. This vulnerable information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, advertising-supported software like Wrongfully.app may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by Wrongfully.app
Threat Type Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names Avast (MacOS:Pirrit-HM [PUP]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.29064), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Pirrit_AGen.F), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Pirrit.gen), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information This application belongs to the Pirrit adware 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 a investigated thousands of adware-type applications; Effetman.appVictualry.app, and OriginRemote are just a couple of our latest articles.

While advertising-supported software can appear legitimate and useful, its seldom functions as promised. In most cases, its functionalities are merely bait to trick users into downloading/installing. Remember that even if an app or extension operates exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that alone does not prove legitimacy or safety.

How did Wrongfully.app install on my computer?

Adware is promoted on legitimate-looking download pages and scam websites. They are primarily accessed via redirects generated by sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, or installed adware (with browser force-capabilities).

"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to distribute this software. Pre-packed installation setups can be downloaded from freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, and other suspicious sources.

The risk of allowing bundled content into the device is furthered by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

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

How to avoid installation of adware?

It is essential to research software prior to downloading/purchasing. All downloads must be performed from official and verified channels. When installing, we recommend reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, tools, extensions, and so on.

We advise vigilance when browsing since the Internet is rife with well-disguised fraudulent and dangerous content. For example, intrusive adverts may appear harmless – yet redirect users to highly questionable websites (e.g., pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.).

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

When removing Wrongfully.app, it is important to check these folders for its components (the filenames may differ in each folder, yet every single one should contain "Wrongfully.app"):

  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents
  • /Library/LaunchDaemons
  • /Library/LaunchAgents
  • /Library/StartupItems

Pop-up window displayed when Wrongfully.app adware is present on the system:

Pop-up displayed when Wrongfully.app adware is detected on the system

Text presented in this pop-up:

"Wrongfully.app" will damage your computer.


This file was downloaded on a unknown date.


OK
Show in Finder

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 adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Wrongfully.app adware removal:

Remove Wrongfully.app-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?

Adware can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It displays advertisements that promote content capable of causing system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, and other serious problems. Advertising-supported software is also classed as a privacy threat since it typically possesses data-tracking functionalities.

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to generate revenue for its developers/publishers through advertising. The software's primary functions can include displaying ads on various interfaces, generating redirects, and gathering private information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue predominantly through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, applications, browser extensions, products, services, and other content.

Will Combo Cleaner remove Wrongfully.app adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is designed to detect and eliminate all kinds of threats, including adware-type applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security tools) might be ineffective. In some instances, file leftovers remain hidden within the system after the adware has been manually removed. Furthermore, the remaining components might continue to run and cause issues. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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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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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

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

QR Code
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Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Wrongfully.app on your mobile device.
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Platform: macOS

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