How to remove OnlineToolSearch adware

What is OnlineToolSearch?

OnlineToolSearch is classified as adware, however, it also functions as a browser hijacker: it feeds users with advertisements and promotes the address of a fake search engine by changing browser settings. OnlineToolSearch and similar apps collect information relating to users' browsing habits and other data.

This app is distributed via a fake/deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer and, therefore, it is likely that users who have OnlineToolSearch installed on their browsers and/or computers will have acquired it inadvertently. Apps downloaded and installed unintentionally in this manner are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Typically, apps such as OnlineToolSearch serve advertisements in the form of banners, coupons, pop-ups, and surveys. Commonly, ads displayed by this adware promote and open dubious websites. They can also be designed to cause download/installation of unwanted software.

Therefore, ads displayed by OnlineToolSea (or other similar adware) should never be clicked. Furthermore, OnlineToolSearch functions as a browser hijacker and thus promotes the address of a fake search engine by changing browser settings such as the address of the homepage, new tab and default search engine.

Therefore, users are forced to visit a certain address when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar. Typically, changes made by browser hijackers can only be undone when they are no longer installed.

Additionally, OnlineToolSearch might collect information such as entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, IP addresses, and other browsing-related details. Some adware-type apps also record personal, sensitive information (this might include OnlineToolSearch).

Developers can misuse this information to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or in other ways.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OnlineToolSearch
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.AD), Microsoft (Trojan:Script/Wacatac.C!ml), 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.

In summary, OnlineToolSearch feeds users with ads, forces them to visit specific addresses, and might collect various information. Therefore, users may experience unwanted downloads and installations, problems relating to online privacy and browsing safety, or even become victims of identity theft.

You are strongly advised not to download/install OnlineToolSearch or other similar apps. More examples of apps similar to OnlineToolSearch are LeadingServiceSearch, ExploreParameter and GeneralBoardSearch.

How did OnlineToolSearch install on my computer?

OnlineToolSearch is distributed through a deceptive, fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Note that third party, unofficial installers can be used to distribute malicious software such as ransomware, Trojans, and other malware. Users often download and install unwanted apps such as OnlineToolSearch through the set-ups of other programs (they are included as 'additional offers').

This distribution method is known as "bundling". In most cases, information about additional downloads and installations can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings, however, many users fail to check and change them, thereby agreeing by default with offers to download and install additional, unwanted apps.

Additionally, PUAs are often downloaded and installed by clicking deceptive advertisements that run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Programs and files should not be downloaded from unofficial websites, through Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, etc. or installed through third party installers. You are advised to use only official pages and direct links.

Furthermore, it is important to check all "Custom" and "Advanced" settings - decline any offers to download or install additional, unwanted software. Do not clicking advertisements that appear on dubious web pages, since they can open other dubious websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations.

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

Files related to OnlineToolSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.OnlineToolSearch/OnlineToolSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.OnlineToolSearchDaemon/OnlineToolSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.OnlineToolSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.OnlineToolSearchDaemon.plist

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

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

OnlineToolSearch adware removal:

Remove OnlineToolSearch-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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