Central Locator ads: what it is and how to remove it
Central Locator is an adware app that targets macOS machines and web browsers such as Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. This third-party program can force unwanted changes on the browser's homepage and new tab area.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps checked against Apple's current documentation and the security vendors' reports. We have not run the malware on a Mac. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Central Locator ads: summary
| Name | Central Locator |
|---|---|
| Type | Adware/PUP/Mac virus |
| Main file | CentralLocator.app.zip |
| Activities | This third-party application is responsible for various unwanted activities on the user's computer. It can modify browser settings such as the homepage and new tab URL, provide an excessive amount of advertisements, force redirects to unknown locations, collect browsing-related information, install other PUPs |
| Danger | Even though this app is not considered to be malware, it can still cause some indirect danger. For example, the redirecting sessions might take you to potentially malicious sources or the adware itself might a distribution source of some type of dangerous malware |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Removal | Scan the Mac with security software to find the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect for Mac scans for malware and unwanted programs. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 9 more facts
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | Redirects to an unknown domain |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Domains | download.com |
| Ads shown as | Redirects through ad pages |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 29 December 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is Central Locator ads dangerous?
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Central Locator - adware that lands on Mac computers and interferes with default browser settings
Central Locator is an adware app that targets macOS machines and web browsers such as Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.
This third-party program can force unwanted changes on the browser's homepage and new tab area. Afterward, the user is very likely to receive an excessive amount of advertising and redirecting to affiliate domains. Central Locator virus most of the time shows up in the Applications folder but can drop additional entries and files all over the PC.
Central Locator is not the type of application you should trust or keep on your computer system. It can make your machine vulnerable to other infections or bring potentially unwanted programs by itself. Regarding such fact, do not be surprised to meet more than one bogus app while dealing with this rogue program.
Central Locator can add questionable extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons to the infected web browsers. These components allow the app to perform its bogus tasks such as advertising and redirecting. Ads from this app can approach you unexpectedly and interrupt your browsing sessions and computing work.
Due to the increasing number of advertisements, Central Locator might start overusing the main resources of your machine which might result in slow computer and browser work, constant freezes and crash downs. Nevertheless, the main goal of the provided ads is to gain pay-per-click income and benefit the developers only.
Continuously, Central Locator can provide you with misleading content involving various surveys, scams, fake prize claims, offers to purchase rogue security software, etc. Be aware of such pop-ups and do not fall for everything that you see. Especially, do not buy any unknown apps and do not provide any personal data to strange surveys.
Additionally, Central Locator Mac virus can get you involved in redirecting activities that aim to take the victim to sponsored sources that also appear to be filled with relevant-looking offers and deals. However, the worst part of these redirects is that you might accidentally land on a malware-laden source and get your computer seriously infected.
Central Locator adware can also target your browsing data. This means that the app might be able to record information that relates to your online activities, experience, and habits. The developers might spy on data such as your recently visited websites, locations clicked, saved bookmarks, entered links, IP address, search queries, etc.
Afterward, the developers can use this information in two ways. They often share it with other parties and expect revenue or use the collected information for creating targeted ads. Central Locator might spam you with notifications that look similar to your search offers. Do not get into them as this is only another marketing trick.
Another thing that Central Locator might be capable of is installing additional PUPs on your Mac computer system. The adware application can bring other rogue programs such as browser hijackers, system optimization tools, other adware, scare. In other cases, adware apps sometimes might be used to infiltrate serious malware such as trojans.
As you can see, this adware creates a lot of risks that can be diminished by performing the Central Locator removal process. You can get rid of the app with the help of automatical products or by using the manual guidelines that are added to the end of this article. The steps will help you to clean both your operating system and web browsers.
According to information that is provided by VirusTotal, Central Locator installs an application that is named CentralLocator.app.zip and this file has been found as suspicious by 5 AV engines. The detection names include:
After you remove Central Locator from your macOS computers and get your browsers cleaned from suspicious components, you should search for any type of system compromisation that might have been brought during the adware attacks. If you find some signs of damage, you can try repairing things by employing .
- Virus.js.qexvmc.1 (Qihoo-360).
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Central Locator
- If you have found any signs of system damage, you can try repairing things with
- Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Script.SearchExt.gen (Kaspersky, ZoneAlarm by Check Point).
How Central Locator ads got into your browser
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Experts from Virusai.lt claim that software bundling is the most popular technique used in the adware distribution field.
This method allows the developers to include the adware app into an entire package of shareware and freeware. Afterward, the users download the PUP while installing software from third-party sources such as download.com, cnet.com, softonic.com.
Besides, if you have set the default downloading mode to "Recommended", you also have a greater chance of receiving potentially unwanted programs on your computer system. Choose the "Advanced" settings instead. Here you will be able to control all incoming downloads and opt-out all suspicious-looking options.
Continuously, adware apps can get delivered through third-party advertisements, infectious hyperlinks, and fake software updates. Always be careful while browsing the Internet, do not click on everything that you see as attractive. Also, do not proceed to websites that have been flagged as unsafe by your web browser app.
Also, you should take care of automatic protection on your computer system. Download and install reliable antimalware software and do not forget to keep the app regularly updated, otherwise, it might not function properly.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
download.com
How to remove Central Locator ads
How to remove Central Locator from a Mac
Remove the app and what starts it, then check the browsers.
Step 1: Delete apps and downloads you did not intend to install
Open the Applications folder and your Downloads folder. Drag any app you did not install, and any disk image (
.dmg), installer (.pkg) or archive (.zip) that came from Central Locator or a site you do not trust, to the Bin, then empty the Bin.Also check
~/Library/Application Supportfor a folder with the same name as the app you removed.Step 2: Remove unknown login items and background items
Open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Under Open at Login and Allow in the Background, switch off or remove anything you do not recognize, especially items whose developer is shown as an unknown name or that appeared on the day you ran the command.
Then open Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder and check
~/Library/LaunchAgents,/Library/LaunchAgentsand /Library/LaunchDaemons for property list (.plist) files you did not add. Drag suspicious ones to the Bin, then restart the Mac.Step 3: Check the browsers for extensions and changed settings
In Safari open Settings > Extensions and General (homepage). In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Firefoxabout:addons.Remove any extension you did not add, and reset the homepage and search engine if they changed. Browsers hold saved passwords and cookies, which is why the password step comes first.
Step 4: Quit what is running that you do not recognize
Open Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities, or search for it with Command + Space).
In the CPU or Network tab, look for a process you did not install or whose name is random, select it, click the stop button (the octagon with an X) and choose Quit or Force Quit.
Note the name first: you will look for the same name in the next steps. Malware that comes back after a restart is handled in the next two steps.
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Remove from Google Chrome
To clean Google Chrome from bogus modifications and remove all questionable extensions, take a look at the following guidelines.
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
To get rid of unwanted objects and changes from your Mozilla Firefox web browser, use these instructions.
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Delete from Safari
To free Safari from suspicious components, you can perform the below-provided guide.
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
Delete from macOS
To eliminate bogus apps from your macOS computer, apply these steps.
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Central Locator removal tips
If you have been dealing with Central Locator virus and this app has become very annoying, you should remove it right away.
Do not wait until the program brings you other PUPs or cyber threats, interferes with your browsing sessions, and hardens computing work.
Another fact why you should fasten Central Locator removal is if the program has shown on your computer system without your own knowledge. Use reliable anti-malware software to get rid of the adware within a few minutes of time and optimize your entire system.
You can also remove Central Locator with the help of manual step-by-step guidelines. For this purpose, we have added some instructions to the end of this article. There you will learn how to fully clean and optimize your macOS computer system and web browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox.
Questions about Central Locator ads
download.com opens when I click links. What causes it?
When every click leads to download.com first, an extension or a script on the page is rewriting the links. If it happens only on one site, that site uses aggressive ads; close it and use another source. If it happens everywhere, open the browser in a private window, where extensions are normally off, and try again.
No redirect in the private window means one of your extensions is responsible: remove the ones you do not know. A redirect in the private window too means the cause is outside the extensions, such as a notification permission, a changed search setting or a program installed on the PC. The removal steps in this guide cover each of those.
Is it safe that my browser was redirected to download.com?
Landing on download.com does not infect the PC by itself. A browser does not run programs from a page without your action. The danger is in the pages that come next:
- some ask you to allow notifications
- some show fake virus warnings
- some offer downloads
- ask for card details
If you only saw those pages and closed them, nothing more is needed than removing whatever caused the redirect. If you allowed notifications, remove that permission.
If you downloaded a file, delete it unopened, or uninstall it if you ran it. If you typed a password or card number on one of the pages, change the password and call your bank.
What is Central Locator?
Central Locator is an adware extension, a kind of adware. It earns money by showing redirects through ad pages, and each view, click or redirect pays whoever runs it. It is not something people usually choose; it arrives through a free download, a fake button or a misleading prompt.
Central Locator does not encrypt files or take control of Windows, but its ads are sold to anyone, including scam operators, so they can lead to fake virus warnings and unwanted downloads. The steps in this guide remove it from Windows and from each browser.
Which browsers does Central Locator affect?
In the cases we checked, Central Locator showed up in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not rule out others on your PC, since adware installers often target every browser they find, and permissions and extensions sync across computers signed in to the same browser account.
Open each browser you have, go to its extensions page and its notification settings, and remove anything you do not recognise. Profiles count separately: Chrome and Edge can each hold several, and each one needs checking on its own.
Are the pop-ups I see really from Central Locator?
Compare them with the details in the table above. Central Locator produces redirects through ad pages, and the clearest sign of it is redirects to download.com. Other adware looks similar, so check the name of the sending site at the bottom of a notification, the address in the tab that opened, or the newest entries on the extensions page.
If those match, this guide fits. If you see a different name, the same kind of steps apply, but remove the item you actually find rather than guessing.
Why is my browser so slow since the ads started?
Each page now does extra work. An adware extension reads the page, decides where to put ads, loads them from ad servers and reports your visit, and that happens on every tab. Ad-supported programs add their own background activity.
Removing the extension or program usually makes the browser fast again at once. If it stays slow, open the browser's own task manager with Shift+Esc in Chrome or Edge and look for extensions using a lot of memory or processor time.
Can an adware pop-up infect my PC just by appearing?
No. A pop-up, a notification or a new tab is only a web page or a message. It cannot run programs on Windows by itself, provided the browser and Windows are up to date. Infection needs a step from you:
- running a downloaded file
- installing an extension
- giving a stranger remote access
That is why scam pages work so hard to make you click. Close such pages with the tab's X or by closing the browser, not with buttons inside the page, which may start a download.
My scan found nothing, but the ads continue. Why?
Because the source may not be a file a scanner looks for. Browser notifications are a permission stored in the browser, and many adware extensions are not flagged because they come from an official store.
Some ad-supported programs are only reported if you enable detection of potentially unwanted apps. So a clean scan does not mean the job is done. Check each browser's notification permissions and extension list by hand, and turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security before scanning again.
Did Central Locator collect my data?
Adware typically collects what it needs to choose ads:
- the sites you visit
- search terms
- approximate location
- browser and system details
Extensions with permission to read and change data on all websites can technically see everything on those pages, including forms. That is a privacy problem rather than proof of theft.
If you typed card details or passwords while it was active, changing the most important passwords is a reasonable precaution. Clearing cookies after removal ends the tracking sessions it may have started.
Will Fortect remove Central Locator?
Fortect for Mac scans for malware and unwanted programs, and its free scan shows what it finds on your Mac before you decide anything.
For Central Locator, follow the plan on this page as well: removing a launch item or an app is done in macOS itself, and a scanner cannot undo what was typed or entered on the infected Mac, such as saved passwords that were copied.
Change your passwords from another device first, and if the page tells you to erase the Mac, a scan is not a substitute. The free scan costs nothing and the full-featured product needs a license.
Sources
- What Is: Browser extension (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Pay-per-click (read October 6, 2026)
- Virusai: Virusai.lt (read October 6, 2026)
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)