How to remove WebFunctionSearch adware

What is WebFunctionSearch?

WebFunctionSearch is designed to promote the address of a fake search engine and serve advertisements (it thus functions as a browser hijacker and adware). These apps commonly collect browsing-related information.

Users do not often download or install WebFunctionSearch (or similar apps) intentionally and, for this reason, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). This particular app is distributed through a deceptive (fake) Adobe Flash Player installer.

Typically, adware-type applications serve ads in the form of surveys, banners, pop-ups, coupons, etc. Commonly, these ads promote untrusted websites or even run scripts that cause unwanted downloads and installations. S

ince WebFunctionSearch also functions as a browser hijacker, it promotes the address of a fake search engine by changing certain browser settings (address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab). The promoted address cannot be removed from settings unless users first uninstall the app that changed them.

Furthermore, WebFunctionSearch and similar apps often collect information relating to users' browsing habits such as IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, etc. In some cases, the apps record sensitive details as well.

The developers can misuse the data to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) and in other ways. Therefore, users of these apps can have problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety or they might even become victims of identity theft. Therefore, never download or install WebFunctionSearch or similar apps.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by WebFunctionSearch
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.AE), 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.

WebFunctionSearch is virtually identical to many other apps of this type including, for example, AssistiveDisplaySearch, ExploreDivision and PromoteOptimization.

Typically, these apps are advertised as useful and legitimate, however, most are designed only to generate revenue for the developers and can cause serious issues. In most cases, people download and install adware, browser hijackers, and other PUAs inadvertently.

How did WebFunctionSearch install on my computer?

WebFunctionSearch is distributed through a fake installer, which is disguised as an installer of Adobe Flash Player. Note that these installers can be used to distribute malware. The apps are often distributed through deceptive ads and set-ups of other programs.

In some cases, advertisements can be designed to execute certain scripts that cause download/installation of unwanted applications. PUAs are mostly distributed by integrating them into the set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is called "bundling".

Typically, offers to download and/or install PUAs can be found (and declined) in "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" or other settings of the set-ups. Many users leave these settings unchanged, thereby agreeing by default to download and install included PUAs with the required software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), dubious websites, etc., are used to distribute PUAs, and sometimes even malicious apps. Therefore, files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and through direct links.

Check all "Custom" and "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download or install PUAs. Do not click advertisements that appear on dubious websites (for example, on those relating to pornography, gambling, or adult dating), since they can open untrusted, potentially malicious websites or download and install unwanted software.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons) that are installed on the browser. The same should be applied to programs of this type that are installed on the computer/operating system. If your computer is already infected with WebFunctionSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to the WebFunctionSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.WebFunctionSearch/WebFunctionSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.WebFunctionSearchDaemon/WebFunctionSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.WebFunctionSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.WebFunctionSearchDaemon.plist

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

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

WebFunctionSearch adware removal:

Remove WebFunctionSearch-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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