How to remove advertisements presented by BasicSearchPlatform adware

What is BasicSearchPlatform?

BasicSearchPlatform is an adware-type application that delivers intrusive advertisement campaigns. Additionally, BasicSearchPlatform modifies browser settings and promotes fake search engines, which is behavior common to rogue software classified as browser hijackers.

Furthermore, most adware programs and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, and it is highly likely that this includes BasicSearchPlatform. Due to the dubious proliferation methods used to spread BasicSearchPlatform, is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

One method used to distribute BasicSearchPlatform is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Note that bogus software updaters/installers are often used to proliferate PUAs as well as Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

Adware enables the placement of intrusive ads (e.g. pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners, etc.) on any visited website. The advertisements diminish the browsing experience, as they limit browsing speed and web page visibility. When clicked, they can redirect to untrusted/malicious sites and even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers operate by assigning the addresses of fake search engines as the new tab/window, default search engine and homepage URLs. With this software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and each search made via the URL bar redirects to the addresses of the bogus search engines.

These fake search tools are seldom capable of providing unique results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing or other legitimate search engines. Access to the browser settings might be restricted/denied, and any permitted changes made, automatically reset by the browser hijacker.

Therefore, to recover the affected browser, it is necessary to remove the hijacked browser. Furthermore, most PUAs have data tracking capabilities. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

Typically, the collected data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for profit. The presence of unwanted apps on systems can lead to various infiltration and infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.

To protect device and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by BasicSearchPlatform
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.Adloa), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (VirusTotal).
Additional Information	This application belongs to the 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.

GlobalToolboxSearch, AimSearch, DisplaySuccess and DataHandler are some examples of other adware programs. They may seem legitimate and useful, however, the features promised are rarely operational. In fact, this is typical of all PUAs. These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.

PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, cause unwanted redirects, modify browsers and gather sensitive data.

How did BasicSearchPlatform install on my computer?

PUAs are commonly downloaded/installed unintentionally together with 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. ignoring terms, using presets, skipping steps and sections, etc.), many users risk inadvertently allowing bundled onto their devices. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive ads also proliferate PUAs. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to make unwanted downloads/installations without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Your are strongly advised to research all products before download/installation or purchase. Use only official and verified download sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted and can offer deceptive/bundled content.

When downloading/installing, you are advised to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions 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 advertisements/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with BasicSearchPlatform, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to BasicSearchPlatform adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.BasicSearchPlatform/BasicSearchPlatform
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.BasicSearchPlatformDaemon/BasicSearchPlatform
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.BasicSearchPlatform.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.BasicSearchPlatformDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote BasicSearchPlatform 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 "BasicSearchPlatform" 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 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:

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

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

BasicSearchPlatform adware removal:

Remove BasicSearchPlatform-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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