How to remove Adload malware (Mac)

What is Adload

Adload is a persistent and sophisticated form of malware that specifically targets macOS systems. It is known for its ability to evade detection by macOS’s built-in security tools and many third-party antivirus programs. Adload is classified as adware, which means it primarily functions by hijacking browsers to redirect users to potentially malicious websites, thereby generating revenue for cybercriminals. Adload is not a single piece of malware but rather a family of malicious software that goes by various names, such as Kreberisec, ApolloSearchDaemon, and AphroditeResults, among others. It is notorious for its ability to avoid detection and prevent users from easily removing it from their systems. Adload typically operates as adware and may also have browser-hijacking and data-tracking functionalities. Once Adload is on a Mac, it can significantly diminish the system’s performance and browsing quality. It may display deceptive or malicious advertisements and collect private information, posing a threat to user privacy. Adload can also install a Man-in-The-Middle web proxy to redirect user’s web traffic, which allows it to hijack search engine results and insert specific ads into the pages viewed by the user.

How Adload infects Mac computers

Adload often infects Mac computers through deceptive means, such as rogue installers of potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) and adware. These installers are usually distributed via unofficial, scam websites that trick users into downloading and executing a setup file. Fake Flash Player updates are a common disguise used to distribute Adload. Once installed, Adload can implement shell scripts to download additional malware or adware onto the infected system. Removing Adload can be challenging due to its persistence mechanisms. It may require manual removal of related files and processes, or the use of dedicated malware removal tools like Spyhunter, CleanMyMac X, or Malwarebytes.

1. Download Adload Removal Tool
2. Remove Adload from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall Adload from Applications
4. Remove Adload from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove Adload files and folders
7. Block Adload ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like Adload

Remove Adload manually for free

Note: Adload sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “Adload” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: Adload won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose Adload in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full Adload removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of Adload installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove Adload from Applications

Remove Adload from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. Adload might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall Adload or Adload Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag Adload from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall Adload

If you can’t uninstall Adload using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of Adload. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag Adload from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with Adload.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove Adload add-on from your browsers

Removing Adload from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the Adload extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find Adload extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find Adload extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose Adload extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish Adload removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of Adload


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.Adload.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.Adload.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.Adload.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.Adload.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote Adload

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting Adload in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like Adload

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac