MatchPicks (Mac) adware is part of the AdLoad adware family. It’s a pretty harmless infection that tries to expose users to as many ads as possible. It will not directly harm your computer but you will certainly find it annoying. It will spam ads wherever you go, all to generate revenue. If you open your Applications folder and see MatchPicks, you should remove it immediately.
Adware infections are quite easy to recognize because they tend to spam ads. This becomes especially noticeable when browsing previously ad-free websites. It will show you ads and pop-ups, as well as redirect you to questionable websites. The good thing is that MatchPicks (Mac) adware will not try to directly harm your computer. However, that does not make it entirely harmless.
The thing about adware is that it can and will expose you to a lot of questionable content. That includes scams. Adware is known to show users tech support scams and fake virus alerts. You may have encountered these ads before. They contain a fake warning saying there’s something wrong with your computer and that you need to call the shown number to get assistance from professional technicians. However, if you call, you would be connected to scammers instead of getting assistance. The scammers would try to trick you into paying hundreds of dollars for services you neither need nor would actually receive.
Adware also tracks users as they browse. The infection will track what sites you visit, what you search for, what content you engage with, etc. This information may also be shared with other parties as well. While it’s not particularly sensitive information, there’s no need to put up with any kind of data collection, especially from a program that does nothing to benefit you.
We strongly recommend you remove MatchPicks (Mac) adware sooner rather than later. It’s not difficult to do, especially if you use anti-virus software.
How to avoid installing adware infections
It’s pretty easy to pick up an adware infection because there are many ways it’s spread. In most cases, it’s bundled with free programs, usually questionable ones. Infections like adware and browser hijackers are often added to free programs as extra offers. The way this method works is those offers are authorized to install alongside the programs without users needing to permit it. Because users are not aware of these installations in many cases, this installation method is quite frowned upon.
The extra offers are technically optional so it is possible to deselect them. However, because they are hidden, users are often unable to deselect the offers. To make the offers visible, you need to choose Advanced (Custom) settings when installing programs. It’s not uncommon for the installation window to recommend using Default settings but if you follow this advice, the offers will be hidden and permitted to install. However, Advanced settings will make all offers visible. You will also have the option of deselecting all offers. Because this installation method is quite dubious, it’s not recommended to install any added offers.
Adware can also be disguised as software updates or security patches. It’s pretty common to encounter fake software update notifications when browsing sites full of ads. When you download the supposed update, you end up with adware or some other similar infection. It’s worth noting that you will never encounter legitimate update notifications on a website.
You may also end up with adware if you download programs without researching them first. This is especially the case if you download them from unreliable websites and unofficial app stores. We recommend sticking to official websites and app stores to avoid infections. You should also research programs before installing them, even if it’s a simple search with Google.
MatchPicks (Mac) adware removal
If you notice it in your Applications folder, you will need to remove MatchPicks (Mac) adware in order to stop the ads. Since it’s not a dangerous infection, you don’t have to use an anti-virus program. You should be able to uninstall MatchPicks (Mac) adware just like any other application. However, if it does not work, there are plenty of anti-virus programs that can take care of the infection for you.
MatchPicks (Mac) adware is detected as:
- MacOS:AdAgent-DH [Adw] by Avast/AVG
- A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.H by ESET
- Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.23 by BitDefender
- Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Searchpro by Kaspersky
- PUA:MacOS/Searchproxy.E!MTB by Microsoft
Quick Menu
Step 1. Uninstall MatchPicks (Mac) adware and related programs.
Remove MatchPicks (Mac) adware from Windows 8
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel choose Programs and Features and select to Uninstall a software.
Uninstall MatchPicks (Mac) adware from Windows 7
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall a program.
Delete MatchPicks (Mac) adware from Windows XP
Click Start → Settings → Control Panel. Locate and click → Add or Remove Programs.
Remove MatchPicks (Mac) adware from Mac OS X
Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for MatchPicks (Mac) adware or any other suspicious software. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash, then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
Step 2. Delete MatchPicks (Mac) adware from your browsers
Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer
- Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons.
- Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe)
- Leave the window.
Change Internet Explorer homepage if it was changed by virus:
- Tap the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of your browser and click Internet Options.
- In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes.
Reset your browser
- Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options.
- Open the Advanced tab and press Reset.
- Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time.
- Tap Close and leave your browser.
- If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.
Erase MatchPicks (Mac) adware from Google Chrome
- Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings.
- Choose Extensions.
- Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them.
- If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily.
Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus
- Press on menu icon and click Settings.
- Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages.
- In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
- Under the Search section choose Manage Search engines. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search websites. You should leave only Google or your preferred search name.
Reset your browser
- If the browser still does not work the way you prefer, you can reset its settings.
- Open menu and navigate to Settings.
- Press Reset button at the end of the page.
- Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box.
- If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.
Remove MatchPicks (Mac) adware from Mozilla Firefox
- In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously).
- Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries.
Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:
- Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options.
- On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
- Press OK to save these changes.
Reset your browser
- Open the menu and tap Help button.
- Select Troubleshooting Information.
- Press Refresh Firefox.
- In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more.
- If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.
Uninstall MatchPicks (Mac) adware from Safari (Mac OS X)
- Access the menu.
- Pick Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions Tab.
- Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable MatchPicks (Mac) adware and get rid of all the other unknown entries as well. If you are unsure whether the extension is reliable or not, simply uncheck the Enable box in order to disable it temporarily.
- Restart Safari.
Reset your browser
- Tap the menu icon and choose Reset Safari.
- Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset.
- If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.
Site Disclaimer
2-remove-virus.com is not sponsored, owned, affiliated, or linked to malware developers or distributors that are referenced in this article. The article does not promote or endorse any type of malware. We aim at providing useful information that will help computer users to detect and eliminate the unwanted malicious programs from their computers. This can be done manually by following the instructions presented in the article or automatically by implementing the suggested anti-malware tools.
The article is only meant to be used for educational purposes. If you follow the instructions given in the article, you agree to be contracted by the disclaimer. We do not guarantee that the artcile will present you with a solution that removes the malign threats completely. Malware changes constantly, which is why, in some cases, it may be difficult to clean the computer fully by using only the manual removal instructions.