How to uninstall GeneralLaunch adware from the operating system

What is GeneralLaunch?

GeneralLaunch is a rogue application classified as adware, however, it also possesses browser hijacker characteristics: it delivers intrusive advertisements and modifies browsers to promote a fake search engine. Additionally, most adware and browser hijackers can track browsing-related data.

Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate GeneralLaunch, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

GeneralLaunch enables the placement of unwanted and harmful ads (e.g. pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.) on any visited website. This significantly affects browsing, since the intrusive ads reduce browsing speed and web page visibility.

Once clicked, the ads redirect to sale-oriented, rogue, untrusted, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious sites and can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers operate by assigning the addresses of their bogus search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, any new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirect to the address of the fake search engine. Few of these bogus tools can provide unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) genuine sites. With GeneralLaunch installed, the aforementioned actions initiate a redirection chain.

This app promotes the Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net. Safe Finder cannot generate unique results and so redirects to search.yahoo.com, which is a legitimate search engine. To recover the hijacked browser, it is necessary to remove the browser hijacker, as any changes users attempt to make are automatically reset (if access to the settings is not restricted).

Most adware-types and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, web pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This vulnerable data is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for financial gain.

To summarize, the presence of unwanted software on systems can lead to various infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. Therefore, you are strongly advised to immediately eliminate all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by GeneralLaunch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), Sophos AV (Adloadr (PUA)), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to Adload malware family.
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac 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.

EssentialPanel, SearchLibrary, LookupConsole and DataQuest are some examples of software classified as adware. These apps usually seem legitimate and useful, offering various "useful" features, however, the advertised functions rarely work and, in most cases, are nonoperational. This applies to all PUAs.

The only purpose of these unwanted apps is to generate profit at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, modify browsers, force-open untrusted/malicious sites and gather private data.

How did GeneralLaunch install on my computer?

The most common mode of PUA proliferation is via the download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc.), many users risk inadvertently allowing bundled content onto their devices. Some PUAs have "official" download pages. Intrusive ads proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Research all products to verify their legitimacy, before download/installation. Use only official and trustworthy download sources. Avoid unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders, as they can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads often seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with GeneralLaunch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Deceptive application installer promoting GeneralLaunch adware:

Pop-up window displayed once GeneralLaunch installation is complete:

GeneralLaunch redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

GeneralLaunch installation folder:

GeneralLaunch installed on the Safari browser:

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 GeneralLaunch?
• STEP 1. Remove GeneralLaunch related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove GeneralLaunch ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove GeneralLaunch adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove GeneralLaunch ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove GeneralLaunch adware using Combo Cleaner:

GeneralLaunch adware removal:

Remove GeneralLaunch-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.

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