Remove NetConnection (Mac Adware)

By reading this article, Mac users will have information on how to guard the computer against NetConnection adware. To get rid of the stated Mac malware, included on this page are Removal Tool, Steps for Manual Removal, and cleaning the Homepage and Search of compromised browser program.

Adware is characterized by an unwanted program that will infiltrate the browser application with the sole objective of displaying various advertising campaigns in order for its authors to generate online profit. The problem with adware is it can be too annoying because it issues extraordinary amount of advertisements in the browser program. One example of this adware is named NetConnection app. It was designed specifically for Mac and belongs to adware family where CommonLocator, WireNavigate, and CreativeTask are all associated.

How does NetConnection infects the Mac computer?

Mac users may bump into NetConnection app after visiting malicious sites or when they download freeware from skeptical sources like torrent sites, distrustful servers, of aggressive pop-ups. Normally, adware like NetConnection is embedded to these kinds of installers and its makers are utilizing pushy method to persuade Mac users into obtaining the said adware carriers. As soon as execution occurs, NetConnection app begins to inject malicious code on target browser application and attempt to override settings on homepage and search provider. If NetConnection succeeds in this task, all preferences of Mac user on their browser will be overridden with an unwanted setup. It is clear that by using deceitful tactics, NetConnection app has minimal effort to infiltrate the computer, while removing it will be a complex task for Mac users.

Screenshot of NetConnection App

The importance of removing NetConnection

Because some Mac user face difficulty with the removal of NetConnection app, they let it hang on the browser without realizing that its existence can lead to much greater trouble and annoyances on the browser. NetConnection will continue exhibiting malicious ads that intend to forward the browser program to questionable landing pages that are hosting adware or malware. This is the reason why computer security experts are advising the immediate removal of adware or any unwanted program.

Disregarding the presence of NetConnection is just like letting it to carry on with the collection of browsing details like visited pages, favorite website, search keywords, and IP address. In addition, it could gather crucial credentials like username, passwords, contact details and so on. Overall, taking these data may lead to identity theft because attackers may misuse it on other illegal activities like scams and phishing attacks.

Procedures to Remove NetConnection from Mac

This area contains comprehensive procedures to help you remove adware and potentially unwanted program from the computer.

Guide on this page are written in a manner that can be easily understand and execute by Mac users.

Quick Fix - Scan the Mac Computer with Combo Cleaner

Combo Cleaner is a trusted Mac utility application with complete antivirus and optimization features. It is useful in dealing with adware, malware, and PUP's. Moreover, it can get rid of adware like NetConnection. You may need to purchase full version if you require to maximize its premium features.

1. Download the tool from the following page:

2. Double-click the downloaded file and proceed with the installation.

3. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon onto your Applications folder icon.

Install Combo Cleaner

4. Open your Launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon.

5. Wait until antivirus downloads its latest virus definition updates and click on "Start Combo Scan" to start removing NetConnection.

Combo Cleaner Scanner

6. Free features of Combo Cleaner include Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus and privacy scanner, users have to upgrade to a premium version.

Proceed with the rest of the removal steps if you are comfortable in manually removing malicious objects associated with the threat.

Step 1 : Delete NetConnection from Mac Applications

1. Go to Finder.

2. On the menu, click Go and then, select Applications from the list to open Applications Folder.

3. Find NetConnection or any unwanted program or suspicious item. It could be in disguise as a different file.

Delete Unwanted App

4. Drag NetConnection to Trash Bin to delete the application from Mac.

5. Right-click on Trash icon and click on Empty Trash.

Step 2 : Remove Browser Extensions that belongs to NetConnection

1. Locate the add-on or extension that is relevant to the adware. To do this, please follow the following depending on affected browser.

Safari - Choose Preferences from the Safari menu, then click the Extensions icon. This will open a window showing all installed extensions.

Chrome - Select Preferences from the Chrome menu, and then click the Extensions link found on the left pane.

Firefox - Choose Add-ons from the Menu. Look at both the Extensions and Plug-ins lists when it opens a new window.

2. Once you have located NetConnection, click on Remove or Uninstall, to get rid of it.

3. Close the browser and proceed to the next steps.

Step 3 : Delete Malicious Files that have installed NetConnection

1. Select and copy the string below to your Clipboard by pressing Command + C on your keyboard.

~/Library/LaunchAgents

2. Go to your Finder. From the menu bar please select Go > Go to Folder...

3. Press Command + V on your keyboard to paste the copied string. Press Return to go to the said folder.

Command + V

4. You will now see a folder named LaunchAgents. Take note of the following files inside the folder:

  • com.NetConnection
  • unknown.download.plist
  • unknown.ltvbit.plist
  • unknown.update.plist

The term unknown is just a representation of the actual malware name. Attackers may masks the actual name with following:

- Net Connection App

If you cannot find the specified file, please look for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. It may be the one causing NetConnection to be present on your Mac. Arranging all items to see the most latest ones may also help you identify recently installed unfamiliar files. Please press Option + Command + 4 on your keyboard to arrange the application list in chronological order.

Option+Command+4

Important: Take note of all the suspicious files as you may also delete the same item on another folder as we go on.

5. Drag all suspicious files that you may find to Trash.

6. Please restart the computer.

7. Open another folder using the same method as above. Copy and Paste the following string to easily locate the folder.

~/Library/Application Support

8. Look for any suspicious items that are similar to the ones in Step 4. Drag them to the Trash.

9. Repeat the process on the following non-hidden folders (without ~):

/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/Application Support

10. Lastly, go to your Finder and open the Applications Folder. Look for subfolders with the following names and drag them to Trash.

- Net Connection App

Optional : For locked files that cannot be removed, do the following:

1. Go to Launchpad, Utilities folder, open Activity Monitor.

2. Select the process you want to quit.

Force Quit Apps

3. Click on Force Quit button.

4. You may now delete or remove locked files that belongs to NetConnection adware.

Step 4 : Double-check with MBAM Tool for Mac

1. Download Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac from this link:

2. Run Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac. It will check for updates and download if most recent version is available. This is necessary in finding recent malware threats including NetConnection.

3. If it prompts to close all running web browser, please do so. Thus, we advise you to PRINT this guide for your reference before going offline.

4. Once it opens the user interface, please click on Scan button to start scanning your Mac computer.

MBAM for Mac

5. After the scan, Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac will display a list of identified threats, NetConnection is surely part of it. Be sure to select all items in the list. Then, click Remove button to clean the computer.

Step 5 : Remove NetConnection from Homepage and Search

Safari

- Open your Safari browser.
- Go to Safari Menu located on upper left hand corner, and then select Preferences.
- Under General tab, navigate to Default Search Engine section and select Google or any valid search engine.
- Next, be sure that "New Windows Open With" field is set to Homepage.
- Lastly, remove NetConnection from the Homepage field. Replace it with your preferred URL to be set as your default homepage.

Google Chrome

- Open Chrome browser.
- Type the following on the address bar and press Enter on keyboard : chrome://settings/
- Look for 'On Startup' area.
- Select 'Open a specific page or set of pages'.
- Click on More Actions and select Edit.
- Enter the desired web address as your home page, replacing NetConnection. Click Save.
- To set default search engine, go to Search Engine area.
- Click on 'Manage search engines...' button.
- Go to questionable Search Engine. Click on More Actions and Click 'Remove from list'.
- Go back to Search Engine area and choose valid entry from Search engine used in the address bar.

Mozilla Firefox

- Run Mozilla Firefox browser.
- Type the following on the address bar and hit Enter on keyboard : about:preferences
- On Startup area, select 'Show your home page' under 'When Firefox starts' field.
- Under Home Page field, type the desired URL to replace NetConnection settings.
- To configure default search engine, select Search on left sidebar to display settings.
- Under Default Search Engine list, please select one.
- On the same page, you have an option to Remove unwanted search engine.

Optional : If unable to change browser settings, execute these steps:

Some user complains that there is no way to change browser settings because it is grayed out by NetConnection. In such situation, it is important to check if there is unwanted profile. Please do the following:

1. Quit any running applications and launch System Preferences from your Dock.

2. Under System Preferences, click Profiles.

3. Select NetConnection or any relevant profile from the left pane. See image below.

Remove Profile

4. At the bottom of this window, click minus [-] button to delete the account. Please refer to image above.

5. Close the Profiles window and open the affected browser to change all settings associated with NetConnection.

About the author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *