Removal instructions for the ActiveNavigation adware-type app
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is ActiveNavigation?
During a routine inspection of new file submissions to the VirusTotal platform, our researchers discovered the ActiveNavigation app. Our examination of this software revealed that it is adware from the AdLoad malware family.
ActiveNavigation is designed to generate revenue for its developers/publishers through advertising. However, this application may possess other harmful capabilities.
ActiveNavigation adware overview
Typically, adware displays advertisements (e.g., pop-ups, overlays, surveys, coupons, banners, etc.) on visited websites, desktops, or other interfaces.
Certain conditions may be necessary for advertising-supported software to function as intended (e.g., compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to specific websites, etc.). Yet regardless of whether ActiveNavigation delivers adverts – the application's presence on a system threatens device/user safety.
Adware-displayed ads can endorse online scams, unreliable/hazardous software, and malware. Some of the advertisements can even execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations upon being clicked.
It is noteworthy that while legitimate products or services may be encountered via these adverts – they are unlikely to be promoted by their developers or other official parties. It is most probable that this promotion is performed by scammers who abuse the endorsed content's affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
It is pertinent to mention that AdLoad applications can have browser-hijacking capabilities – however, we did not observe them during our analysis of ActiveNavigation. Additionally, advertising-supported software tends to have data-tracking functionalities, and this might be true of ActiveNavigation.
Adware commonly seeks browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, personally identifiable details, account log-in credentials, credit card numbers, and so on. This sensitive information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
To summarize, the presence of software like ActiveNavigation on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ActiveNavigation |
| 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.H), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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. |
Adware examples
BasicLocator, AnalyzerFormat, and SourceManager are merely a few of our newest articles on Mac-specific adware. Advertising-supported software usually appears legitimate and innocuous. It may also offer a broad range of useful and advantageous functionalities. However, adware seldom operates as promised, and in most cases – the advertised features do not work at all.
It must be stressed that even if a piece of software functions exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of legitimacy or safety.
How did ActiveNavigation install on my computer?
Adware is promoted on legitimate-looking download pages and scam websites. Most visitors access them through redirects generated by intrusive adverts, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).
This software can also be bundled with ordinary programs. The threat of unintentionally permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).
Intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-supported software as well. When clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of adware?
It is essential to research software prior to downloading or purchasing. We recommend acquiring content only from official and verified download sources. Installation processes must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.
Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements may look innocuous – however, they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.).
Should you keep encountering such ads/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ActiveNavigation, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ActiveNavigation adware's installation is over:
ActiveNavigation 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 ActiveNavigation?
- STEP 1. Remove ActiveNavigation related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ActiveNavigation ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ActiveNavigation adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ActiveNavigation ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
ActiveNavigation adware removal:
Remove ActiveNavigation-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. The ads delivered by this software can promote content that may cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Adware is also considered a privacy threat since it usually has data-tracking functionalities.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software; as the naming implies, its purpose is to generate revenue for its developers/publishers through advertising. This goal may be achieved by relying on functionalities such as displaying advertisements on various interfaces, generating redirects, and collecting sensitive information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue primarily through affiliate programs by promoting content. The developers may earn commissions from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ActiveNavigation adware?
Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all kinds of threats, including adware-type applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without security software) might not be a perfect solution. In some cases, after the adware has been manually removed – various file leftovers remain hidden within the system. These remnants might continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware and other unwanted software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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