Removal instructions for WebQuestSearch adware

What is WebQuestSearch?

WebQuestSearch serves advertisements and changes certain browser settings (promotes a fake search engine address). It might also be designed to gather information relating to users' browsing habits and various other details. In this way, WebQuestSearch functions as adware and a browser hijacker. 

Commonly, users download and install adware-type apps/browser hijackers inadvertently and, for this reason, WebQuestSearch and similar apps are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). This particular PUA is distributed through a fake installer, which is disguised as an installation for Adobe Flash Player.

In most cases, applications such as WebQuestSearch serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and other types of advertisements. The ads open/promote dubious web pages. In some cases, they display ads that, if clicked, execute scripts designed to download and install unwanted software.

Furthermore, WebQuestSearch changes browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to the URL of a fake search engine. I.e., it ensures that users are forced to visit a fake search engine when they enter search queries, and open a browser or new tab.

WebQuestSearch and similar apps often collect details such as IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, and other browsing-related data. In some cases, they personal, sensitive information as well. The developers misuse the data to generate revenue.

For example, they can sell it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, apps such as WebQuestSearch can cause problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and other issues.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by WebQuestSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ZB), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AD), 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 apps similar to WebQuestSearch. Some examples are StandartConsoleSearch, SearchNetCharacter and GoWebSearch. Generally, most serve ads, promote a fake search engine, and gather data - all to generate revenue for the developers.

They are useless to regular users and can cause serious problems. If WebQuestSearch or other apps of this type is installed on the browser and/or computer, removed/uninstall them immediately.

How did WebQuestSearch install on my computer?

WebQuestSearch is distributed via a fake installer, which is disguised as the installer for Adobe Flash Player. In some cases, third party, unofficial installers are used to distribute malicious software such as ransomware and Trojan-type malware. PUAs are often distributed by including them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other programs.

This distribution method is called "bundling". In most cases, offers to download and install included PUAs can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of set-ups. When software is downloaded and/or installed without checking and changing these settings (and unticking certain checkboxes), included PUAs are also downloaded and installed.

Sometimes unwanted downloads and installations are caused by clicking deceptive ads that run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind. Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software.

Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser.

The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with WebQuestSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to WebQuestSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.WebQuestSearch/WebQuestSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.WebQuestSearchDaemon/WebQuestSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.WebQuestSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.WebQuestSearchDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove WebQuestSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

WebQuestSearch adware removal:

Remove WebQuestSearch-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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