How to remove NetModuleSearch adware

What is NetModuleSearch?

Applications like NetModuleSearch serve advertisements and often collect information. NetModuleSearch functions not only as adware, but also as a browser hijacker, since it promotes a fake search engine address by changing browser settings.

NetModuleSearch and other apps of this type are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), as users often download and install them inadvertently. Note that this particular app is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.

NetModuleSearch and similar apps serve ads in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc. People who click them often arrive at various untrusted web pages, or even allow the ads to execute scripts designed to download and install unwanted software.

This particular app promotes a fake search engine by assigning its address as the homepage, address of the default search engine, and new tab. Therefore, when users of NetModuleSearch open a browser (new window), new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar, they are forced to visit the address of a fake search engine.

In most cases, users cannot undo the changes made by browser hijackers as long as they are installed. Furthermore, it is likely that NetModuleSearch collects data relating to users' browsing habits. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, and addresses of visited websites.

The app might also be capable of gathering personal, sensitive details. Furthermore, developers could sell recorded data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.

People who have apps such as NetModuleSearch installed on their browsers and/or operating systems might thus become victims of identity theft, have problems relating to web browsing safety, online privacy, and other issues. Therefore, do not trust these apps and uninstall them immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by NetModuleSearch
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.l), 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.

There are many applications similar to NetModuleSearch online. Some examples are WebFunctionSearch, AssistiveDisplaySearch and ExploreDivision. Generally, they serve advertisements, collect data, and promote fake search engines.

Therefore, they are useless to regular users and can cause serious problems. Neither NetModuleSearch nor any other adware should be downloaded or installed.

How did NetModuleSearch install on my computer?

As mentioned, NetModuleSearch is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Commonly, such installers are used to distribute PUAs and malicious programs (e.g., ransomware, Trojans).

Unwanted downloads and installations are also caused by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts, or when the apps are distributed by including them into the download/installation set-ups of other programs. This distribution method is known as "bundling".

Commonly, users download and install PUAs when they fail to check and change "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" or other similar settings.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Programs and files should be downloaded from official pages and via direct links. Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), and other such tool and sources should not be used to download or install software - they are often used to distribute unwanted 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) untrusted web pages or download and install unwanted, potentially 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. If your computer is already infected with NetModuleSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to NetModuleSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.NetModuleSearch/NetModuleSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.NetModuleSearchDaemon/NetModuleSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.NetModuleSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.NetModuleSearchDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove NetModuleSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

NetModuleSearch adware removal:

Remove NetModuleSearch-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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