How to uninstall the GuideRecord adware?

How to remove GuideRecord from Mac?

What is GuideRecord?

GuideRecord serves advertisements, modifies browser's settings and possibly collects browsing data and/or other data. Therefore, this app functions as adware and a browser hijacker. Most of the times users download and install apps like GuideRecord unknowingly, therefore, they are called potentially unwanted applications (Mac). It is known that GuideRecord is distributed by disguising its installer as the installer for Adobe Flash Player.

Some examples of types of ads that applications like GuideRecord serve are various banners, coupons, surveys, pop-up ads. It is worthwhile to mention that their ads tend to be designed to promote (open) dubious sites, in some cases they are designed to start download or even installation of some PUA by executing certain scripts. As mentioned in the first paragraph, GuideRecord functions not only as adware-type app but also as a browser hijacker - it modifies browser's settings such as the address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab. It changes those addresses to an address of some fake search engine. Typically, fake search engines provide results generated by some other (usually legitimate) search engine, however, sometimes they can be designed to generate their own results that may include links to potentially malicious sites. Typically, changes that where made by a browser hijacker can be undone only after its uninstallation (address of a fake search engine can be removed from browser's settings only when a browser hijacker is no longer installed on a browser and/or the operating system. Additionally, it is likely that GuideRecord collects details related to user's browsing activities. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites or even more personal, sensitive details. In such case its developers could sell recorded data to third parties (potentially cyber criminals), or they could misuse it to generate revenue in other ways. Users of apps that function as data collectors can become victims of identity theft, experience problems related to browsing safety, online privacy, and/or encounter other issues.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by GuideRecord
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ACH), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ACH), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.m), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to 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 three days free trial available.

CleanParameter and TrustedAnalog are the names of apps that are similar to GuideRecord. Usually ad-supported apps generate revenue for developers by generating advertisements. However, it is common that they promote fake search engines and/or gather various data as well. To summarize, apps like GuideRecord are useless to their users and should never be downloaded and installed.

How did GuideRecord install on my computer?

GuideRecord is distributed via deceptive installer that is designed to look like the installer for Adobe Flash Player. It is common that such installers are used to distribute not only PUAs but also malicious software like Trojans, ransomware. Also, it is common that adware-type apps, browser hijackers and other types of PUAs are distributed via download and/or installation setups of other programs. In such cases PUAs are included in the aforementioned setups as additional offers. As a rule, users can decline offers to download and/or install PUAs by unticking certain checkboxes or via "Advanced", "Manual", "Custom", or other settings. However, not all users change the aforementioned settings (or untick checkboxes) before completing downloads and/or installations. Therefore, they download and/or install not only wanted programs but also PUAs that are included in their download and/or installation setups. This distribution method for PUAs is known as "bundling". Also, in some cases PUAs are distributed via ads by designing those ads to execute certain scripts. However, those ads can cause such downloads and/or installations only if users click them.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Programs and files should not be downloaded from unofficial pages, via torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer network), third party downloaders, etc., or installed via third party installers. It is advised to download files and software from official websites and via direct download links. Download and installation setups that contain settings like "Custom", "Advanced", or some checkboxes tend to include offers to download and/or install additional, unwanted apps. Those offers should be declined be declined before completing download and/or installation processes. Also, it is recommended not to trust ads on shady pages. Quite often they are designed to promote questionable websites, or even to cause unwanted downloads, installations. All unwanted extensions, plug-ins or add-ons that are already installed on a browser and programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system should be removed. If your computer is already infected with GuideRecord, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Fake/deceptive installer used to distribute GuideRecord (first installation step):

Fake/deceptive installer used to distribute GuideRecord (second installation step):

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

• ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.GuideRecord.service.app
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.GuideRecord.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.GuideRecord.system
• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.GuideRecord.system.plist

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 three days free trial available.

Quick menu:

• What is GuideRecord?
• STEP 1. Remove GuideRecord related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove GuideRecord ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove GuideRecord adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove GuideRecord ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove GuideRecord adware using Combo Cleaner:

GuideRecord adware removal:

Remove GuideRecord-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 ads by guiderecord 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.

Ads by GuideRecord removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by guiderecord related Safari extensions:

Open 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 normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Remove ads by guiderecord related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:

Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".

Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Remove ads by guiderecord related Google Chrome add-ons:

Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".

In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

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