How to remove CreativeSearch adware

What is CreativeSearch?

CreativeSearch is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that operates as adware and a browser hijacker. It feeds users with various advertisements and changes browser settings so that people are forced to visit the address of a fake search engine. CreativeSearch might also be designed to collect various user-system information.

It is categorized as PUA, since users often download and install adware and browser hijackers unintentionally. Research shows that developers use a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer to distribute CreativeSearch.

When apps such as CreativeSearch are installed on browsers and/or computers, they deploy coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and other advertisements. Commonly, they promote (open) dubious pages or even cause unwanted downloads and installations by executing certain scripts.

Therefore, ads that appear due to adware (in this case, CreativeSearch) should not be clicked. CreativeSearch promotes a fake search engine by changing browser settings. Typically, fake search engines are promoted by changing settings such as addresses of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.

Users are then forced to visit them when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar. These changes can be undone only when the browser hijacker or other app that made them (e.g., CreativeSearch) is no longer installed. Furthermore, apps such as CreativeSearch often collect browsing-related data.

For example, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, however, browser hijackers and adware-type apps might also collect private, sensitive information. The data could misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways.

Therefore, users might become victims of identity theft, experience issues relating to online privacy, browsing safety, and other problems.

Threat Summary:

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

There are many apps similar to CreativeSearch. Some examples are MajorPanelSearch, AdditionalChannelSearch and SearchToolHelper. Typically, they are useless and designed only to generate revenue for the developers by serving ads, promoting fake search engines, and collecting data.

These apps are commonly advertised as legitimate and useful, however, PUAs such as CreativeSearch should never be downloaded or installed, especially if they are distributed using dubious methods such as through deceptive installers. These installers can install malicious software including ransomware, Trojans and other malware.

How did CreativeSearch install on my computer?

CreativeSearch is often installed inadvertently by users through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer. People also download and install PUAs together with other programs when they are included into the set-ups as 'additional offers'.

In most cases, such offers can be declined through "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings, however, many users fail to check and change these settings when they download and install their programs. By leaving the default settings unchanged, they grant PUAs permission to be downloaded and installed.

This distribution method of unwanted apps is known as "bundling". In some cases, these apps are downloaded and installed by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not download programs or files from unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, free file hosting pages, etc. Also avoid third party installers. These channels are often used to distribute unwanted, malicious applications.

Software should be downloaded only from official pages and via direct links. Check all settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced" and decline offers to download or install additional software before finishing the process. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious websites, since they can open untrusted pages or even download and install unwanted apps.

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

Files related to CreativeSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.CreativeSearch/CreativeSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.CreativeSearchDaemon/CreativeSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.CreativeSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CreativeSearchDaemon.plist

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

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

CreativeSearch adware removal:

Remove CreativeSearch-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.

▼ Show Discussion