How to remove ExpertCharacterSearch adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ExpertCharacterSearch?
ExpertCharacterSearch is an adware-type application belonging to the AdLoad malware family. After successful installation, this rogue app begins running intrusive ad campaigns (i.e., delivers annoying and dangerous ads). ExpertCharacterSearch also has some browser hijacker characteristics such as modification of browser settings and promotion of fake search engines.
This application has been proliferated by bogus Flash Player updates, which are typically promoted by scams such as "Latest version of Adobe Flash Player". These fake updaters are often used to promote Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) and even malware (e.g. trojans, ransomware, etc.).
Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate ExpertCharacterSearch, it is additionally classified as a PUA. Furthermore, most of these unwanted apps have data tracking abilities and gather information relating to browsing activity.
Adware enables third party graphical content to be displayed on any site. The intrusive ads (pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons, etc.) it displays significantly diminish the browsing experience, overlaying web pages and thereby limiting visibility and browsing speed.
When clicked, these ads redirect to sale-oriented, untrusted/rogue, compromised, deceptive, scam and malicious websites. Clicking the ads can also trigger them to execute scripts designed to download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs) without users' permission.
Therefore, intrusive advertisements can cause serious problems. Browser hijackers (including ExpertCharacterSearch) assign the addresses of their fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.
To elaborate on how these modifications affect browsers, each new tab/window opened and each web search made via the URL bar redirects to the bogus search engine. These fake search engines are usually unable to provide unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) genuine sites (Google, Yahoo, Bing and others).
Furthermore, access to browser settings can be restricted or denied, and any permitted changes made, automatically reset. Therefore, removal of the hijacker is necessary to recover the affected browser. Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data.
Information of interest includes browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, geolocations and personal details. This data is likely to include sensitive and personally-identifiable information. The collected data is typically shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for financial gain - potentially, by putting it to criminal use.
In summary, the presence of PUAs on systems can result in various infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. You are advised to eliminate all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by ExpertCharacterSearch |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.1), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adlo), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
PublicAdviseSearch, UpgradeIdeas, TabSearch and TechLetterSearch are some examples of other adware infection. In general, all PUAs tend to seem legitimate, innocuous and useful. People are tempted into downloading/installing them due to the various features they offer.
These rarely function as promised, since the only purpose of PUAs is to generate profit for the developers. These apps are useless, but they can cause serious issues. PUAs force-open untrusted and malicious web pages, deliver intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers and track private data.
How did ExpertCharacterSearch install on my computer?
The use of fake updaters is just one way that PUAs can infiltrate devices. They also proliferate via download/installation set-ups of other products. "Bundling" is the term defining this deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions.
When downloading/installing, ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections endangers devices with potential infiltration and infections originating from bundled content. Some PUAs have "official" download pages. Intrusive ads also spread these applications - once clicked, they can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
It is important to research all products, before download/installation or purchase. All downloads should be performed from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels such as P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting sites and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive or bundled content.
Treat download and installation processes with caution. Read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and so on.
Software should be updated only with tools/functions provided by legitimate developers. Intrusive advertisements may seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to rogue websites such as gambling, pornography, adult-dating and many others.
If you encounter these ads, check the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ExpertCharacterSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to ExpertCharacterSearch adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.ExpertCharacterSearch/ExpertCharacterSearch
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.ExpertCharacterSearchDaemon/ExpertCharacterSearch
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ExpertCharacterSearch.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ExpertCharacterSearchDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote ExpertCharacterSearch adware are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles".
2) Select the "ExpertCharacterSearch" profile and delete it.
3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this malware.
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is ExpertCharacterSearch?
- STEP 1. Remove ExpertCharacterSearch related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ExpertCharacterSearch ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ExpertCharacterSearch adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ExpertCharacterSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
ExpertCharacterSearch adware removal:
Remove ExpertCharacterSearch-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove adware-related files and folders
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/
In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:
In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/
In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers
Remove malicious Safari extensions:
Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Outstanding!
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