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Adware.OperatorMac is Malwarebytes’ detection name for an adware family that uses various techniques to infect MacOS systems.
Malicious behavior
Adware.OperatorMac has been around since at least 2015 and has used every known way to get their advertisements shown on affected systems. Recent variants of Adware.OperatorMac have been observed using the open-source mitmproxy software to proxy all http and https traffic for the purpose of ad injection.
Protection
Malwarebytes for Mac detects and removes Adware.OperatorMac.
Remediation
Malwarebytes for Mac will detect and remove the components of this malware.
Download and install the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Click the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan.
If threats are detected during the scan, a count of detected threats is displayed. More detailed threat information is displayed after the scan completes.
Click “Confirm” to move the detected threats to Quarantaine.
If a restart is required to complete remediation of threats detected during a scan, you will be notified. When a restart is required, please remember to save all work before clicking “Restart”.
How to remove ExecutiveOperation from Mac?
What is ExecutiveOperation?
ExecutiveOperation is the name of an application that functions not only as adware, but also as a browser hijacker and data collector. It serves advertisements, promotes two fake search engines by changing browser settings and gathers sensitive information. As a rule, users download and install apps like ExecutiveOperation unknowingly, for this reason they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). It is known that ExecutiveOperation is distributed via fake installer that is disguised as an installer for Adobe Flash Player.
Usually applications like ExecutiveOperation serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads and/or other types of advertisements. More often than not by clicking those ads users allow them to open questionable websites or execute certain scripts that cause download and/or installation of some unwanted application. As mentioned in the first paragraph, ExecutiveOperation functions as a browser hijacker: it promotes the z6airr.com address on Safari browsers and the search.basicgeneration.com address on Chrome browsers. Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by making their address and the address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab. Z6airr.com provides results generated by Yahoo (it redirects users to search.yahoo.com), depending on user's geolocation, search.basicgeneration.com provides results generated either by Google or Yahoo (it redirects users either to google.com or seach.yahoo.com). In other words, neither of them generate any unique results and that is the main reason why they are called fake search engines. It is worthwhile to mention that z6airr.com and search.basicgeneration.com can be removed from browser settings only when ExecutiveOperation (or other PUA that is designed to promote them) is no longer installed. Furthermore, ExecutiveOperation can read sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers and some other personal data. This information could be misused for various malicious purposes, for example: to make fraudulent purchases, transactions, steal identities, accounts. It means that its users could become victims of identity theft, lose access to various accounts, suffer monetary loss, have problems related to web browsing safety, online privacy, etc.
| Name | Ads by ExecutiveOperation |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), AVG (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Additional Information | This application belongs to 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), fake Flash Player installers, 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. |
AccessibleSkill, LearningActivity and MarketService are the more examples of apps that function like ExecutiveOperation too. Typically, they are designed to generate revenue for their developers by serving ads, collecting information and promoting shady websites. They are not only useless to their users but also can cause them various problems. Therefore, apps like ExecutiveOperation should never be downloaded and installed.
How did ExecutiveOperation install on my computer?
As mentioned in the first paragraph, ExecutiveOperation is distributed through a fake installed for Adobe Flash Player. It is common that fake, third party installers are used to distribute not only PUAs but also malicious programs, like Trojans, ransomware-type programs, etc. Also, quite often users download and/or install PUAs together with other programs - when those apps are distributed by integrating them in download and/or installation setups of other programs as extra offers. As a rule, users can decline such offers unticking checkboxes or via 'Custom', 'Advanced' or other settings that are available in setups. Users who leave certain checkboxes unticked and/or settings unchanged when they download and/or install programs allow for included apps to be downloaded and/or installed too. This software distribution method is known as 'bundling'. Also, unwanted downloads and/or installation can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Files and programs should not be downloaded (or installed) through questionable sources, tools like Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients), unofficial pages, third party downloaders, installers, and so on. It is recommended to download everything from official pages and via direct links. Also, download and installation setups that have settings like 'Advanced', 'Custom' should be checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps/. Advertisements that appear on shady sites should not be clicked - quite often those ads open untrustworthy pages, in some cases they cause download, installation of unwanted software. If there are any suspicious, unwanted extensions, plug-ins or add-ons installed on a browser, then they should be removed from it. The same should be done with programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system/computer. If your computer is already infected with ExecutiveOperation, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once ExecutiveOperation installation is over:
Malware Mac Download
Fake Adobe Flash Player installer used to distribute ExecutiveOperation:
Z6airr.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
Search.basicgeneration.com redirects to google.com (GIF):
Search.basicgeneration.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
ExecutiveOperation installed on Safari:
ExecutiveOperation's Contents folder:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 MacBy 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- STEP 1. Remove ExecutiveOperation related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ExecutiveOperation ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ExecutiveOperation adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ExecutiveOperation ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ExecutiveOperation adware using Combo Cleaner:
ExecutiveOperation adware removal:
Remove ExecutiveOperation-related potentially unwanted applications from your 'Applications' folder: Morphing software for mac free.
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.
Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.
Remove ads by executiveoperation 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:
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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 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.
Free check writing software for mac. 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click '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.
Ads by ExecutiveOperation removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by executiveoperation related Safari extensions:
Open 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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Free Mac Adware Cleaner
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ads by executiveoperation related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the 'Open Menu' (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose 'Add-ons'.
Choose the 'Extensions' tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Remove' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ads by executiveoperation related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the 'Chrome menu' (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose 'More Tools' and select 'Extensions'.
In the 'Extensions' window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Trash' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation. 3d room design software for mac free.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.