How to remove CapitalCharacterSearch adware

What is CapitalCharacterSearch?

CapitalCharacterSearch functions not only as adware, but also as a browser hijacker: it serves advertisements and promotes the address of a fake search engine by modifying certain browser settings.

It is very likely that CapitalCharacterSearch gathers browsing data as well. Browser hijackers and adware-type apps are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since users often download and install them inadvertently. This often happens when using a deceptive, fake Adobe Flash Player installer.

Adware is a type of software that generates advertisements (e.g., banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups). When clicked, these can open dubious websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations by running certain scripts. Commonly, ads displayed by adware are intrusive and conceal underlying website content.

Since CapitalCharacterSearch functions as adware and also as a browser hijacker, it promotes a fake search engine by changing browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.

Browser hijackers change the settings so that users are forced to visit a specific address when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar. Usually, the only way to undo/remove these changes is to uninstall the app that made them (in this case, CapitalCharacterSearch).

Furthermore, it is possible that CapitalCharacterSearch will also collect various data. Commonly, adware and browser hijackers target browsing data such as entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, IP addresses, geolocations. They might also gather sensitive details.

In any case, the information is misused to generate revenue and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, having apps such as CapitalCharacterSearch installed on the browser and/or operating system can lead to problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety or even identity theft.

Additionally, fake Adobe Flash installers not only distribute apps such as CapitalCharacterSearch but also malicious programs including ransomware, Trojans, and other high-risk malware.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by CapitalCharacterSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), 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.

Some more examples of apps similar to CapitalCharacterSearch include SimpleGuideSearch, SearchExplore and LunarLookup. PUAs are advertised as useful, legitimate apps, however, most are designed only to feed users with advertisements, and promote fake search engines.

They also track and record information. PUAs are useless for regular users and and designed only to help generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, if CapitalCharacterSearch or other apps of this type are already installed on the browser and/or computer, remove them immediately.

How did CapitalCharacterSearch install on my computer?

Research shows that CapitalCharacterSearch is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Users often install this adware/browser hijacker rather than Flash Player when they use an unofficial, deceptive installer. These rogue apps are also distributed through the set-ups of other programs.

I.e., they are included into the download/installation set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is called "bundling". Many users do not check and change the "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings, and fail to decline offers of PUAs.

This allow PUAs to be downloaded and installed with other software. Sometimes PUAs are downloaded and installed when users click deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download software only from trustworthy, official websites and through direct links. Third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, and other channels, sources of this kind are often monetized by distributing PUAs (or even malicious apps).

Check all settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced", and decline offers to download or install additional, unwanted apps. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious pages, since they can open untrusted websites or even download and install unwanted software.

Remove any unwanted, unknown apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) installed on the browser, and software of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with CapitalCharacterSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to CapitalCharacterSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.CapitalCharacterSearch/CapitalCharacterSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.CapitalCharacterSearchDaemon/CapitalCharacterSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.CapitalCharacterSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CapitalCharacterSearch.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote CapitalCharacterSearch 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 "CapitalCharacterSearch" 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/browser hijacker.

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

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

CapitalCharacterSearch adware removal:

Remove CapitalCharacterSearch-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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