How to remove TotalConsoleSearch and similar apps

What is TotalConsoleSearch?

In most cases, users download and install apps such as TotalConsoleSearch inadvertently and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). This particular app is distributed via a fake installer for Adobe Flash Player. When installed, it serves advertisements and promotes a fake search engine address.

In this way, TotalConsoleSearch functions as adware and a browser hijacker. It is possible that it also collects information.

TotalConsoleSearch adware overview

Generally, adware-type apps such as TotalConsoleSearch serve banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups, and other types of ads. These can open dubious websites and sometimes execute scripts designed to cause download and installation of PUAs. TotalConsoleSearch can also modify certain browser settings to hijack browsers.

Typically, browser hijackers change browser settings, such as the address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab, to the address of a fake search engine. They open this bogus address when users open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.

In most cases, changes that were made by a browser hijacker can only be undone only after uninstallation of the rogue app. Additionally, TotalConsoleSearch might collect various data.

Generally, these apps gather browsing data (e.g., IP addresses, addresses of visited web pages, entered search queries, geolocations), however, they are capable of accessing personal, sensitive information as well. The data is misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by TotalConsoleSearch
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.

Adware examples

TotalConsoleSearch and similar apps can cause problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety, or even identity theft. Therefore, do not trust, download or install apps of this type. Some more examples of other apps similar to TotalConsoleSearch are WebQuestSearch, StandartConsoleSearch and SearchNetCharacter.

As mentioned, users often download and install adware and browser hijackers inadvertently.

How did TotalConsoleSearch install on my computer?

Research shows that TotalConsoleSearch can be installed through a deceptive, fake installer that supposedly installs Adobe Flash Player. People also download and install potentially unwanted apps inadvertently with other programs when the apps are included into the set-ups as 'additional offers'.

This distribution method is called "bundling". Typically, these offers can be declined in "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings, however, many users leave these unchanged, thereby allowing included PUAs to be downloaded and installed. In some cases, users cause unwanted downloads and installations by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.

Note that fake, third party installers are used to distribute malicious software including ransomware, Trojan-type malware, etc.

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 TotalConsoleSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to TotalConsoleSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.TotalConsoleSearch/TotalConsoleSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.TotalConsoleSearchDaemon/TotalConsoleSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.TotalConsoleSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.TotalConsoleSearchDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove TotalConsoleSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

TotalConsoleSearch adware removal:

Remove TotalConsoleSearch-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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can decrease browsing quality and system performance. It displays ads that promote deceptive/malicious content, which can cause serious issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Additionally, this software is considered to be a privacy threat since it usually has data-tracking functionalities.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to run intrusive ad campaigns, i.e., display advertisements on various interfaces. Furthermore, this software may be capable of generating redirects and collecting private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers profit primarily through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, browser extensions, apps, products, services, etc.

Will Combo Cleaner remove TotalConsoleSearch adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected adware-type applications installed. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal. In some instances, even after the adware has been manually removed – various file leftovers remain hidden within the system. Furthermore, the remnants can continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.

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