How to uninstall AdditionalChannelSearch adware

What is AdditionalChannelSearch?

The main purpose of AdditionalChannelSearch is to serve advertisements, however, it also promotes the address of a fake search engine by modifying browser settings. In summary, AdditionalChannelSearch has characteristics of adware and browser hijackers.

 Users often download and install apps of this type unintentionally and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Note that PUAs often collect information relating to users' browsing habits. Research shows that AdditionalChannelSearch is distributed through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer - these installers are commonly used to distribute, not only PUAs, but also malicious programs such as ransomware, Trojans and other malware.

Generally, adware-type apps such as AdditionalChannelSearch serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and others that, if clicked, tend to open dubious websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations of unwanted apps by executing certain scripts.

This particular app changes browser settings such as the homepage, default search engine and homepage to the address of a fake search engine. These search engines are classified as fake, since they do not generate unique results - when used, they simply display results generated by other, legitimate search engine (such as Yahoo, Google or Bing).

Fake search engines can also generate misleading results to promote other bogus websites. Note that browser hijackers often prevent users from undoing changes that were made by them. Therefore, users can remove the fake search engine address only by uninstalling the PUA.

AdditionalChannelSearch should be avoided, since it might also record information. Apps of this type target browsing-related data including, for example, IP addresses, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, and geolocations. They might also collect private, sensitive data.

Developers misuse the information to generate revenue by selling it to third parties or in other ways. These actions can cause problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and some users might even have their identities stolen. Neither AdditionalChannelSearch nor other apps of this type can be trusted.

Third party installers (such as deceptive Adobe Flash Player installers) should never be used to install software, since they can infect computers with malware.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by AdditionalChannelSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
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.

AdditionalChannelSearch is virtually identical to SearchToolHelper, SocratesResults, SearchModule and many other apps of this type. Users commonly download and install these apps inadvertently. Most are useless, and can be the reason behind various problems. Therefore, remove AdditionalChannelSearch, adware, browser hijackers and PUAs immediately.

How did AdditionalChannelSearch install on my computer?

AdditionalChannelSearch is commonly installed via a fake Adobe Flash Player installer, which is not associated with the genuine Adobe Flash Player (only the name is exploited to deceive users into installing unwanted software). PUAs often infiltrate when they are included into software set-ups as 'additional offers'.

This PUA distribution method is called "bundling". It works when people download/install programs without changing settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced" - leaving them unchanged installs additionally-included potentially unwanted apps. In some cases, unwanted downloads and installations are caused by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not download or install your software/files through third party downloaders/installers, untrusted websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule) or other similar channels, since they are often used to distribute PUAs or even malicious apps, files. Use official websites and direct links.

Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings available in the set-ups and decline any offers to download or install unwanted programs. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious websites (for example, on pages relating to gambling, pornography, adult dating), as these often open potentially malicious websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove all unwanted extensions, plug-ins and add-ons are already installed on the browser, and programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with AdditionalChannelSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to AdditionalChannelSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.AdditionalChannelSearch/AdditionalChannelSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.AdditionalChannelSearchDaemon/AdditionalChannelSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.AdditionalChannelSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AdditionalChannelSearchDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote AdditionalChannelSearch 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 "AdditionalChannelSearch" 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 AdditionalChannelSearch?
• STEP 1. Remove AdditionalChannelSearch related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove AdditionalChannelSearch ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove AdditionalChannelSearch adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove AdditionalChannelSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.

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

AdditionalChannelSearch adware removal:

Remove AdditionalChannelSearch-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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