UltraLocator ads annoy Mac users on a daily basis
Contents
UltraLocator is an adware program designed to deliver annoying advertisements for Mac users. The program also contains functionalities similar to browser hijackers and is capable for changing browser’s search engine settings. It is also known that the said adware might cause akamaihd.net redirects promoting fake Yahoo search results by Safe Finder. What is more, the adware might spy on user’s browsing activities and transmit such data to third-party advertisers. Considering all the unwanted activities implemented by this program, it falls under Potentially Unwanted Program term. In this article, we’ll explain how the application functions and what is the easiest way to remove it from Mac.
Mac adware programs like UltraLocator primarily aim to showcase advertisements on daily basis and increase the reach for potential customers. When user interacts with such advertisements, revenue is generated for the adware developers. Therefore, after installing the said program, embrace yourself to face numerous pop-ups, banners, or push notifications daily. This results in diminished computer’s performance, intervention with daily activities and exposure to potentially dangerous or suspicious content on shady third-party websites. Clicking on these ads is strictly not recommended as you never know where they might take you to.
Threat Summary
Name | UltraLocator ads, Ads by UltraLocator |
Type | Adware |
Targeted system | MAC OS – iOS |
Detection names | MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj] (Avast), A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.D (Eset), Adloadr (PUA) (Sophos), and similar |
Malware/Spyware family (origins) | Adload |
Activity | Displays annoying ads, push notifications, causes redirects to questionable websites, changes default search engine to promote Yahoo search results by Safe Finder |
Danger | Can possibly show ads leading to dangerous websites; collects certain data about user’s browsing habits and shares it with third-parties to deliver targeted ads |
Distribution | Can be installed along with free applications |
Removal | Remove manually or using INTEGO |
Privacy concerns
Clicking on suspicious online ads can often lead to misleading, dangerous, or even highly malicious websites. Therefore, for your own security, cyber security experts recommend refraining from interacting with such ads at all. It is best to remove ad-filled software from your Mac not only to get rid of constant annoyances, but to protect your privacy as well.
As previously mentioned, UltraLocator might change your search engine settings on Chrome or Safari and cause regular redirects to Safe Finder powered Yahoo search, or initiate redirects to akamaihd.net sub-domains. In addition, such shady search engines and adware programs tend to collect information about user’s activity including, but not limited to:
- IP address;
- Country;
- Browsing history;
- Ads clicked;
- Search queries;
- Installed browser extensions and/or software;
- Other data.
Collected data can be used for various purposes which you might never think about. Most likely such information is shared with third-parties to deliver targeted excessive advertising, but that might be the best scenario. Never allow your information to be shared with shady parties as it might be misused for bad purposes. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to remove UltraLocator adware along with other adware programs you might have installed recently. We strongly recommend using Malwarebytes for Mac.
Remove UltraLocator using INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Mac (includes scanning for iOS devices). The one-of-a-kind security suite provides VirusBarrier X9 real-time protection against Mac and Windows-based malware, removes existing threats and scans for malware in popular e-mail clients. Includes NetBarrier X9, an intelligent firewall for home, work and public connections.
Adware designed for Mac users is slowly but steadily rising section of spyware. Some examples of similar adware are Safe Finder, Ytmp3.cc, Virus alert from Apple, and others. As a rule, such programs typically promote themselves as useful and beneficial service providers while they have no use at all. Traditionally, when it comes to such adware programs, the most of the programming work goes into the ad-serving functionality rather than something beneficial to the user.
How did I install adware for Mac and how to avoid doing so in the future?
You can install UltraLocator adware in tandem with free programs for Mac. You can “invite” such infection to your Mac if you tend to overlook installation settings in a rush. To avoid this, always carefully inspect all terms and suggestions provided by software installers. This way, you’ll avoid misunderstandings and have a possibility to opt out any extra applications suggested to be installed alongside your primary download.
Another way to install such unwanted programs is by clicking on shady online ads and agreeing to install “highly” beneficial programs they promote. Never install any program before checking its reviews online and ensuring that it is a safe and reputable software choice for you.
Remove UltraLocator from Mac easily to stop annoying daily ads
Remove UltraLocator virus from Mac by following these simple steps prepared by our cybersecurity experts. In short, you’ll have to clean your computer from unwanted applications and then clean each web browser separately. To shorten this process, you might want to use an automatic and trustworthy antivirus software for Mac, for instance, Malwarebytes.
Remove UltraLocator using INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Mac (includes scanning for iOS devices). The one-of-a-kind security suite provides VirusBarrier X9 real-time protection against Mac and Windows-based malware, removes existing threats and scans for malware in popular e-mail clients. Includes NetBarrier X9, an intelligent firewall for home, work and public connections.
Once UltraLocator removal is complete, continue using antivirus for Mac to prevent accidental installation of iOS-targeted malware or spyware, which is a rising industry nowadays.
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UltraLocator adware Removal Tutorial
To remove the unwanted program from your Mac, use these instructions below to uninstall associated applications from your Mac computer. Then scroll down for instructions how to clean each affected web browser individually.
Remove UltraLocator adware from Mac
- Click on Finder.
- Go to Applications folder.
- Look for suspicious applications you can't remember installing. Right-click them and select Move to Trash.
- After moving all suspicious apps to Trash, right-click the Trash bin in Mac's Dock and select Empty Trash.
Remove using INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Mac (includes scanning for iOS devices). The one-of-a-kind security suite provides VirusBarrier X9 real-time protection against Mac and Windows-based malware, removes existing threats and scans for malware in popular e-mail clients. Includes NetBarrier X9, an intelligent firewall for home, work and public connections.
Remove UltraLocator adware from Safari
Uninstall suspicious Safari extensions
- Open Safari and click on Safari button in the top left corner. Select Preferences in the menu that appears on the screen.
- Now, go to Extensions tab. Look at the left to see all installed extensions, click on suspicious ones and hit that Uninstall button as shown in the picture. Confirm your choice by clicking Uninstall again. Repeat until you get rid of all unwanted extensions.
Change Safari Homepage and default search engine
- In Preferences, open the General tab. Here, check what URL is set as your homepage. Delete it and type in whatever URL you want to set as your Safari Start Page.
- Next, go to the Search tab. Here, choose what Search engine you want to set as default.
- Next, click on Manage websites... then Remove all... and then Done.
Remove push notifications on Safari
Some suspicious websites can try to corrupt your Safari by asking to enable push notifications. If you have accidentally agreed, your browser will be flooded with various intrusive advertisements and pop-ups. You can get rid of them by following this quick guide:
- Open Safari and click on Safari button in the top-left corner of the screen to select Preferences;
- Go to Websites tab and navigate to Notifications on the left side toolbar.
Reset Safari
- Click on Safari > Clear History...
- Then choose to clear All history and hit Clear History button to confirm.
- Go to Safari > Preferences and then open Privacy tab.
- Click Manage Website Data... then Remove All. To finish, click Done.
- Finally, clear Safari cache. In Safari Menu, click Develop > Clear Cache.
Remove UltraLocator adware from Google Chrome
Remove suspicious Chrome extensions
- Open Chrome and type chrome://extensions into address bar and press Enter.
- Here, look for suspicious extensions, and Remove them.
- Don't forget to confirm by pressing Remove in the confirmation pop-up.
Change Start Page settings
- In Chrome address bar, type chrome://settings and press Enter.
- Scroll down to the On startup section. Check for suspicious extensions controlling these settings, and Disable them.
- Additionally, you can set browser to Open a specific page or set of pages via these settings. Simply choose this option, click Add a new page, enter your preferred URL (f.e. www.google.com) and press Add.
Change default search settings
- In Chrome URL bar, type chrome://settings/searchEngines and press Enter. Make sure you type searchEngines, not searchengines. Additionally, you can go to chrome://settings and find Manage search engines option.
- First, look at the list of search engines and find the one you want to set as default. Click the three dots next to it and select Make Default.
- Finally, look through the list and eliminate suspicious entries. Right-click the three dots and select Remove from the list.
Remove push notifications from Chrome
If you want to get rid of the annoying ads and so-called push-notifications viruses, you must identify their components and clean your browser. You can easily remove ads from Chrome by following these steps:
- In Google Chrome, press on Menu (upward arrow) in the top-right corner of the window.
- Select Settings.
- Go to Privacy and Security > Site Settings.
- Open Notifications.
- Here, go to the Allow list and identify suspicious URLs. You can either Block or Remove by pressing on the three vertical dots on the right side of the URL. However, we suggest the Block option, so the site won't ask you to enable the notifications if you ever visit it again.
Reset Google Chrome browser
- The final option is to reset Google Chrome. Type chrome://settings in the URL bar, press Enter and then scroll down until you see Advanced option. Click it and scroll to the bottom of the settings.
- Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Click Restore settings to confirm.
Remove UltraLocator adware from Mozilla Firefox
Remove unwanted add-ons from Firefox
- Open Firefox and type about:addons in the URL bar. Press Enter.
- Now, click on Extensions (in the left section).
- Click Remove next to every suspicious browser add-on that you can't remember installing.
Change Firefox Homepage
- In Firefox address bar, type about:preferences and hit Enter.
- Look at the left and click the Home tab.
- Here, delete the suspicious URL and type or paste in the URL of a website you'd like to set as your homepage.
Alter preferences in Firefox
- Type about:config in Firefox address bar and hit Enter.
- Click I accept the risk! to continue.
- Here, type in the URL which has taken over your browser without your knowledge. Right-click each value that includes it and choose Reset.
Remove annoying push notifications from Firefox
Suspicious sites that ask to enable push notifications gain access to Mozilla's settings and can deliver intrusive advertisements when browsing the Internet. Therefore, you should remove access to your browser by following these simple steps:
- In Mozilla Firefox, click on Menu (the three horizontal bars) on the top-right corner of the window, then choose Options.
- Click on Privacy and Security, then scroll down to Permissions section.
- Here, find Notifications and click Settings button next to it.
- Identify all unknown URLs and choose to Block them. Click Save Changes afterward.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
- In Firefox, type about:support in the address bar and press Enter.
- Click on Refresh Firefox...
- Click Refresh Firefox again to confirm.
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Norbert Webb is the head of Geek’s Advice team. He is the chief editor of the website who controls the quality of content published. The man also loves reading cybersecurity news, testing new software and sharing his insights on them. Norbert says that following his passion for information technology was one of the best decisions he has ever made. “I don’t feel like working while I’m doing something I love.” However, the geek has other interests, such as snowboarding and traveling.
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