How to uninstall DataSearchLaunch adware

What is DataSearchLauncher?

DataSearchLauncher is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), which has characteristics of adware-type apps and browser hijackers. I.e., it serves advertisements and changes certain browser settings (to promote addresses of fake search engines). These apps are cateogorized as PUAs, since users often download and install them inadvertently.

Research shows that people install DataSearchLauncher through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer. Note that PUAs often gather certain data.

Typically, adware displays banners, coupons, pop-ups, surveys, and other ads. These conceal underlying content of visited websites and can open untrusted web pages, or even cause download/installation of unwanted applications by executing certain scripts.

Therefore, never click these ads. Additionally, DataSearchLauncher changes certain browser settings to the address of a fake search engine. Typically, apps of this type promote fake search engines by changing settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.

They prevent users from undoing these changes as long as they are installed. These fake search engines generate misleading results or display those generated by other sites (either legitimate or dubious). Furthermore, it is very likely that DataSearchLauncher will collect data.

For example, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, geolocations, IP addresses and other details of this kind. In some cases, these apps can access sensitive information as well. People behind PUAs can misuse the data to generate revenue in various ways.

For example, by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Having DataSearchLauncher installed on browsers and/or computers can thus lead to problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by DataSearchLauncher
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.

Some examples of other apps similar to DataSearchLauncher are LookWebResults, SearchMainInfo and ResultsSearchTool. These apps are advertised as legitimate and useful, however, they include no valid features. On the contrary, they are designed only to display ads and gather information, which can lead to serious issues.

How did DataSearchLauncher install on my computer?

Most users install DataSearchLauncher via a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer, which installs this PUA rather than the official Adobe Flash Player. Commonly, these installers are used to distribute PUAs and malware such as ransomware, Trojan-type programs, etc.

PUAs are often downloaded and installed through the download/installation set-ups of other programs - when they are included into set-ups as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is known as "bundling" and is used to trick users into downloading and installing PUAs with their regular programs.

In most cases, information about additional downloads/installations can be declined in "Custom" and "Advanced" settings, however, many users fail to check and change them, thereby agreeing by default with offers to download or install PUAs. In other cases, PUAs are downloaded and installed by clicking deceptive advertisements that run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Programs and files should be downloaded only from official websites and through direct links. Other channels/sources such as third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), etc., should not be to download or install software - they are used to distribute various unwanted, potentially malicious applications.

Check all "Custom" and "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download or install additional software. Do not click intrusive ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can promote (open) other untrusted pages or even download and install unwanted, malicious software.

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

Files related to DataSearchLauncher adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.DataSearchLauncher/DataSearchLauncher
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.DataSearchLauncherDaemon/DataSearchLauncher
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.DataSearchLauncher.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.DataSearchLauncherDaemon.plist

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

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

DataSearchLauncher adware removal:

Remove DataSearchLauncher-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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