Removal instructions for the ActiveIndex adware-type application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is ActiveIndex?
Our researchers discovered the ActiveIndex app while reviewing new file submissions to the VirusTotal platform. Upon examination, we determined that this application is adware. It belongs to the AdLoad malware family. Software within this classification generates revenue for its developers/publishers through annoying and even malicious advertising.
ActiveIndex adware overview
Typically, adware operates by placing third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, coupons, overlays, etc.) on visited websites, desktops, or other interfaces. Advertisements of this kind can promote online scams, untrustworthy/hazardous software, and malware. Some can even carry out stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked.
It is worth mentioning that while legitimate products or services may be encountered via these adverts – they are unlikely to be endorsed by any official parties. It is most probable that this endorsement is performed by scammers who abuse the promoted content's affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
Advertising-supported software might not function as designed if the browser/system is incompatible, particular sites are not visited, or other conditions are unsuitable. Yet even if ActiveIndex does not display ads – the app's presence on a system remains a threat.
AdLoad apps commonly have browser-hijacking capabilities – however, we did not observe these traits during our analysis of ActiveIndex.
Additionally, this rogue application likely possesses data-tracking functionalities, as they are standard for adware. Targeted information may include browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The collected information can be monetized via sale to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of software like ActiveIndex on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by ActiveIndex |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.8), 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 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
SystemDev, StandartAdmin, SmartOperator, and NetworkSource are merely some of our newest articles on adware. Usually, this software appears ordinary/harmless and offers various useful features. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are completely nonoperational.
Remember that functional features alone do not prove the legitimacy or safety of an application/extension.
How did ActiveIndex install on my computer?
Adware is spread using the bundling marketing technique, which involves packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions. These pre-packed installation setups can be downloaded from freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other suspect sources.
The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is further increased by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps or sections, using the "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Adware can also have "official" promotional webpages and is endorsed on scam sites. These pages are primarily accessed via redirects produced by websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware (with the ability to force-open webpages).
Advertising-supported software is proliferated by intrusive adverts as well. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly advise researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. Installation processes must be approached with caution by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, etc.).
Additionally, it is essential to be vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and harmful online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, despite their harmless appearance – intrusive ads redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, 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 ActiveIndex, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ActiveIndex adware's installation is over:
ActiveIndex 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 ActiveIndex?
- STEP 1. Remove ActiveIndex related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ActiveIndex ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ActiveIndex adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ActiveIndex ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
ActiveIndex adware removal:
Remove ActiveIndex-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 displayed by this software can promote content capable of causing serious problems (e.g., system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, etc.). Furthermore, adware is considered to be a privacy threat since it usually has data-tracking abilities.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It operates by displaying advertisements on various interfaces. This software may also be capable of generating redirects and collecting sensitive information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue through content promotion. The developers may earn commissions from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar. The majority of the profit comes from affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove ActiveIndex adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and remove installed adware-type applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be a perfect solution. After the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – various components (files) can stay hidden within the system. Furthermore, these remnants might continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware and other unwanted software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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