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How to uninstall ManageSearchView adware

Also Known As: Ads by ManageSearchView
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is ManageSearchView?

Part of the AdLoad adware family, ManageSearchView is a rogue application. This app has capabilities, which classify it as adware and a browser hijacker. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e., delivering various unwanted and harmful ads) and modifying browsers to promote a fake search engine.

Furthermore, most adware-type apps and browser hijackers can track browsing-related data. ManageSearchView has been observed being distributed using fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers. Rogue software updaters/installers are often used to proliferate adware, browser hijackers, and even Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

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

ManageSearchView adware proliferated using a fake Adobe Flash Player updater/installer

Adware enables the placement of various ads (e.g. pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc.) on any visited website. These significantly diminish the browsing experience, as the ads limit browsing speed and overlay web page content.

Furthermore, when clicked, intrusive advertisements redirect to sale-oriented, rogue/untrusted, deceptive/scam, compromised and malicious web pages. Some can even be triggered (when clicked) to execute scripts designed to download/install software (e.g. PUAs) without users' consent.

Browser hijackers, with which ManageSearchView shares common traits, reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of their fake search engines. Therefore, each browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the address of the bogus search engine.

Few fake search engines can provide unique results, and so they usually redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, or other legitimate search engines. Recovering the affected browser without removal of the browser hijacker is impossible, since, access to the browser settings is restricted or denied, and any permitted changes made, automatically reset.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data. They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is often shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for profit, potentially by putting it to criminal use.

To summarize, PUAs can cause system infiltration and infections, lead to financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. Therefore, to protect device/user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by ManageSearchView
Threat Type Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), DrWeb (Adware.Mac.Loader.17), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adlo), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), 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.

UpgradeAssistGeneralLaunchEssentialPanel and LookupConsole are some examples of other adware-type apps. They typically seem legitimate and tempt users into download/installation with offers of "useful" capabilities. These features are rarely operational and, even if they do work, it not as advertised.

In fact, this applies to all PUAs. These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, force-open untrusted/malicious sites, hijack browsers and gather vulnerable data.

How did ManageSearchView install on my computer?

PUAs proliferate 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". Rushing download and installation processes (e.g. skipping steps and sections, using presets, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content.

Some PUAs have "official" promotional pages, from which they can be downloaded. Once clicked, intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products should be researched prior to download/installation or purchase. Use only official and verified download sources. P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.), free file-hosting websites and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and other additions. Intrusive ads may seem normal and innocuous, however, they can redirect to highly dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

Files related to ManageSearchView adware that need to be removed:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.ManageSearchView/ManageSearchView
  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.ManageSearchViewDaemon/ManageSearchView
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ManageSearchView.plist
  • ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ManageSearchViewDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the ManageSearchView 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".

Remove rogue profiles designed to promote ManageSearchView (Step 1)

2) Select the "ManageSearchView" profile and delete it.

Remove rogue profiles designed to promote ManageSearchView (Step 2)

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 adware.

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:

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

ManageSearchView adware removal:

Remove ManageSearchView-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
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