MPlayerX virus


MplayerX is a controversial video player that can download malware alongside

MplayerX virus
MplayerX is a Mac malware that can download other PUPs on the system and cause havoc during web browsing sessions

MplayerX virus
MplayerX is a Mac malware that can download other PUPs on the system and cause havoc during web browsing sessions

MplayerX by Zongyao Qu is a free media player similar to VLC Player. It has been launched in 2009 and keeps being active up till now. Although it has been rather popular in the first half of its existence, cybersecurity experts found significant changes in the app’s behavior since 2014 that emerged with the version 1.0.22. 

Based on the behavioral analysis, the MplayerX has been included in the list of Mac malware, adware, and Potentially Unwanted Program. According to researchers, the player has been found spreading in a bundle with VSearch. Moreover, the app download from the official website was found carrying IronCore adware, MacKeeper, ZipCloud, and MegaCloud malware. 

Many AV engines recognize the MplayerX virus as PUP as the official installer has been re-programmed to defy analysis. It means that app developers have something to hide and seek to hide some kind of malicious behavior. In fact, right after the installation of this tool, users might notice many changes within web browser, including start page alterations, endless ads on random sites, web browser’s slowdown, and similar. 

Name MplayerX
Developer Zongyao Qu
Type Adware, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP)
Compatibility 64-bit Intel CPU, Mac OS X 10.7 or later
Symptoms The adware may start displaying irritating ads and redirect random websites via third-party servers. It may download additional applications alongside
Associated programs VSearch, IronCore adware, MacKeeper, ZipCloud, MegaCloud, etc.
Distribution  Official website, freeware bundles (e.g. tended to spread with VSearch), App Store
Elimination The adware can be removed manually (the guide is given below). However, since it may download malware, it’s advisable to scan the machine with a professional anti-malware
Repair Mac malware can leave related entries upon elimination. Thus, a proper system’s repair is recommended using Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego or similar tools

If your value smooth, fast, and uninterrupted browsing MplayerX virus infiltration is the last thing you should be dealing with. This rogue application is promoted as a tool providing an enhanced video streaming experience, but, unfortunately, these promises remain unfulfilled.

In fact, cybersecurity experts have labeled MplayerX adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP), and it is advisable to stay away from it. It can infect all the popular web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari aiming to promote the content of the affiliate parties. 

If the MplayerX malware successfully infiltrates the system, the affected web browser starts acting out. Due to the corrupted settings, injected notification permissions, and sometimes replaces start page/search engine, the browser may start displaying intrusive pop-ups, banners, interstitial, and other kinds of ads.

MplayerX ads
MplayerX ads can mislead people into downloading other unwanted Mac apps

MplayerX ads
MplayerX ads can mislead people into downloading other unwanted Mac apps

Some of the MplayerX ads may be labeled with a related slogan or exhibit app logo. However, most of them seem not to be related to this application, which is why it may be difficult to understand where they come from. Advertising schemes that this misleading player is based on cannot be relied on. The tool is sponsored by unknown third parties, which means that it can generate third-party content without checking its security. 

If you fail to carry out the MplayerX removal in time, get yourself prepared for the never-ending redirects to unknown websites, system slowdowns, and other annoying malfunctions. The redirects initiated by this tool can expose your machine to malware-infected sites where you can easily get another PUP installed. 

In addition to that, mplayerx mac virus may read non-personally identifiable information stored within your browsing history. Thus, if you do not want to charge your IP address, geolocation, search terms, and similar information with suspicious parties, remove MplayerX virus with the help of a reputable anti-spyware without a delay. 

As we have already pointed out, the mplayer x application is closely related to other unwanted applications. Therefore, check your machine carefully to delete each of them. After that, we recommend scanning your Mac with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego repair tool to fix the changes that the malware bundle might have caused. 

MplayerX malware
MplayerX is a free media player, which exhibits potentially dangerous behavior and may expose users to potentially dangerous sites of the affiliate parties

MplayerX malware
MplayerX is a free media player, which exhibits potentially dangerous behavior and may expose users to potentially dangerous sites of the affiliate parties

Mac malware can be installed directly from reliable sources or bundled with freeware

Like the majority of freeware, this player has its official website that is actually very informative and seems reliable. There is an active download button, and you may easily install this application right there. However, if you would try to find its End-User’s License Agreement and Privacy Policy sections in order to find more information about it, you won’t manage to do so simply because they are not provided. Beware that it immediately signals that something is wrong with this application, and we highly do not recommend installing it.

Unfortunately, this virus may install onto your Mac without asking your permission directly. This particular application has been found spreading bundled with an infamous browser hijacker and other freeware. For this reason, it may get quite easily get inside unnoticed if users do not pay enough attention to the installation process of the new software.

MplayerX installer
MplayerX virus may get installed via freeware bundles

MplayerX installer
MplayerX virus may get installed via freeware bundles

To avoid PUP installation, always select Advanced or Custom installation option and carefully read every notification that is given to you. Look for check boxes stating that you accept to install additional features, a browser plug-in, add-on, toolbar, or extension. Otherwise, you may be surprised in a negative way and experience various inconveniences later on.

Eliminate MplayerX Mac malware to prevent additional PUP downloads from

If you think that your PC has already been infected with MplayerX virus, do not wait until it floods your browser with ads or exposes you to malicious sites. This application exhibits controversial behavior as it may perform as a fully-functional media player, but at the same time work as a third-party advertising platform. 

You should remove MplayerX without any delay. There are two ways you can do it. You can either enable a professional anti-malware utility to take care of it or try to fight the infection by yourself. Do not overestimate your skills, though, because such considerably lightweight viruses can be surprisingly tricky to remove from Macs.

We always recommend users pass the MplayerX removal to the professional and automatic anti-malware software having in mind that the PUP is seldom spread on its own. Thus, there’s a risk that your machine contains the whole package of PUPs. 

You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

Reimage Intego has a free limited scanner. Reimage Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. It is a hassle when your website is protected from suspicious connections and unauthorized IP addresses.

The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address. If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for server or network manager that need to monitor connections and activities. This is how you bypass some of the authentications factors and can remotely use your banking accounts without triggering suspicious with each login. 

VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world. It is better to clock the access to your website from different IP addresses. So you can keep the project safe and secure when you have the dedicated IP address VPN and protected access to the content management system.

Computer users can suffer various losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Software issues created by malware or direct data loss due to encryption can lead to problems with your device or permanent damage. When you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work.

It is crucial to create updates to your backups after any changes on the device, so you can get back to the point you were working on when malware changes anything or issues with the device causes data or performance corruption. Rely on such behavior and make file backup your daily or weekly habit.

When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware occurs out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the system restoring purpose.