Remove CodesTerminal AdwareSubtitle

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In recent cybersecurity investigations, our team identified a suspicious application named CodesTerminal among file submissions on VirusTotal. Upon further analysis, we discovered that this app is a form of adware and is part of the notorious AdLoad malware family, a group of threats that predominantly target macOS users. While it may appear as a harmless utility, CodesTerminal is far from benign.

Threat Overview

Attribute	Details
Threat Name	Ads by CodesTerminal
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.Generic.3180797), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h)
Associated Emails	None identified
Symptoms of Infection	Sluggish system performance, unwanted pop-up ads, redirects to shady websites
Distribution Methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, freeware bundling, torrent file downloads
Damage Potential	Data theft, exposure to scams and malware, privacy invasion, potential financial loss
Malware Family	AdLoad
Danger Level	High – due to privacy risks, data tracking, and malware exposure

Adware, short for advertising-supported software, operates with one primary goal — to generate revenue through aggressive advertising tactics. These ads may appear as pop-ups, banners, or overlays on websites or even directly on the user’s desktop. But the problem doesn’t stop at visual clutter; CodesTerminal’s ads can lead users to online scams, fake updates, phishing sites, and even stealth installations of more malicious software.

What makes CodesTerminal particularly dangerous is that even in the absence of visible advertisements, the app poses a significant risk to user safety. It might have tracking functionalities capable of collecting sensitive data like browsing history, search terms, login credentials, and even financial details. Such information, once harvested, can be sold to third-party brokers, leading to severe privacy breaches, financial losses, or identity theft.

Although many AdLoad variants double as browser hijackers that change homepage settings and default search engines, CodesTerminal does not exhibit these specific traits. However, this does not minimize the threat it poses. The application can still degrade system performance, expose users to persistent ads, and compromise private data.

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Manual Adware Removal for Mac

Step 1: Identify and Uninstall Suspicious Applications

1. Open Finder and navigate to Applications.
2. Look for any unknown or suspicious apps.
3. Drag these apps to the Trash and empty it.
4. Open System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items.
5. Remove any unfamiliar startup items by selecting them and clicking the - button.

Step 2: Remove Malicious Browser Extensions

Safari

1. Open Safari and go to Preferences > Extensions.
2. Identify and remove any unwanted extensions.
3. Go to History > “Clear History” and select “All History.”

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome, click Menu (three dots) > Extensions.
2. Remove any suspicious extensions.
3. Reset Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > “Restore settings to their original defaults.”

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click Menu > Add-ons and themes.
2. Remove any unrecognized extensions.
3. Reset Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > “Refresh Firefox.”

Step 3: Delete Adware-Related Files and Folders

1. Open Finder, press Shift + Command + G, and type:
   • ~/Library/Application Support/
   • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
   • ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/
   • ~/Library/Preferences/
2. Look for and delete suspicious files or folders associated with adware.

Step 4: Flush DNS Cache

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
3. Enter your administrator password when prompted.

Step 5: Restart Your Mac

Restart your device to finalize the manual removal process.

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Automatic Adware Removal Using SpyHunter for Mac

For a quick and thorough cleanup, use SpyHunter, a powerful tool designed to detect and remove adware.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Download SpyHunter for Mac from the official website: Download SpyHunter Here.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded .dmg file.
2. Drag and drop SpyHunter into the Applications folder.
3. Open SpyHunter and allow it to update its malware definitions.

Step 3: Perform a System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter.
2. Click Start Scan.
3. Wait for the scan to complete.
4. Click Fix Threats to remove any detected adware.

Step 4: Restart Your Mac

After SpyHunter removes all threats, restart your Mac to complete the process.

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Conclusion

The CodesTerminal adware is more than just an annoying application; it is a serious privacy and security risk. Being part of the AdLoad malware family, this threat targets unsuspecting users — especially macOS owners — and exposes them to malicious advertisements and data collection schemes. While it doesn’t exhibit browser hijacking capabilities like some of its counterparts, the damage it can inflict through stealth data tracking and deceptive advertising is substantial.

Whether it slows down your Mac, bombards you with ads, or tracks your every online move, CodesTerminal should be treated as a critical threat. Users must remain vigilant when downloading software and avoid interacting with dubious ads or bundled installers. Identifying threats like CodesTerminal is the first step toward building a secure digital environment.