How to uninstall SearchMainInfo adware

What is SearchMainInfo?

SearchMainInfo is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) which functions both as adware and a browser hijacker: it changes certain browser settings (to promote a fake search engine) and serves advertisements. Typically, users do not download or install these apps intentionally. SearchMainInfo is promoted/distributed using a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer.

SearchMainInfo adware overview

Adware-type software such as SearchMainInfo usually serves banners, surveys, pop-ups, coupons and other ads. When clicked, these can open dubious web pages. In some cases, the ads are designed to cause download/installation of PUAs by executing certain scripts.

Furthermore, SearchMainInfo forces users to visit the address of a fake search engine when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar. It modifies settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.

These PUAs often prevent people from changing the aforementioned settings - the only solution is to uninstall the app (in this case, SearchMainInfo). Additionally, SearchMainInfo is likely to track and record information - it might be designed to collect browsing-related data (IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited sites), or even sensitive details.

Furthermore, the developers sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or misuse it to generate revenue in other ways. Therefore, users of SearchMainInfo could become victims of identity theft, experience problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety, and other issues.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SearchMainInfo
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Rload.5), 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.

Adware examples

SearchMainInfo is very similar to a number of other apps of this type including, for example, ResultsSearchTool, SearchArchive and SearchStudio. These apps should never be trusted or installed. In most cases, they are useless and can cause serious issues. Remove all PUAs from the browser and computer immediately.

How did SearchMainInfo install on my computer?

Research shows that this particular app is distributed via fake a Adobe Flash Player installer. Note that these installers can also infect computers with malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojans).

Users often download and install PUAs through deceptive advertisements, or together with other programs - they are included into various download/installation set-ups as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is called "bundling". Typically, information about included apps can be found in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of set-ups.

Many users download and install programs without checking and changing the settings, thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate. When clicked, deceptive advertisements can cause unwanted downloads/installations when they run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Programs and files should be downloaded only from official pages and via direct links. Other channels (e.g., Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, unofficial pages, third party downloaders) can distribute unwanted, malicious programs. The same applies to various third party installers.

Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings and decline offers to download or install additionally-included apps. As mentioned above, ads can also be the reason for unwanted downloads and installations. Therefore, do not click ads that appear on dubious websites.

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

Files related to SearchMainInfo adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchMainInfo/SearchMainInfo
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchMainInfoDaemon/SearchMainInfo
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SearchMainInfo.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SearchMainInfoDaemon.plist

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

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

SearchMainInfo adware removal:

Remove SearchMainInfo-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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It displays ads that promote content capable of causing serious issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Furthermore, adware is classed as a privacy threat since it usually collects sensitive data.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It displays advertisements on visited sites and/or other interfaces. Additionally, some types can generate redirects and gather private information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers profit primarily through affiliate programs by promoting websites, software, products, services, and other content.

Will Combo Cleaner remove SearchMainInfo adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate installed adware-type applications. Note that manual removal (performed without the aid of security software) might be ineffective. In some cases, even after the adware has been manually removed – file leftovers can remain hidden within the system. The remaining components may continue to run and cause problems. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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