How to uninstall TotalSearchFunction unwanted app?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
How to remove TotalSearchFunction from Mac?
What is TotalSearchFunction?
Typically, users do not install (or even download) apps like TotalSearchFunction intentionally. This particular app is distributed via deceptive installer - a fake installer for Adobe Flash Player. Therefore, TotalSearchFunction is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA). It serves advertisements and modifies browser's settings: it functions as adware and a browser hijacker. It is likely that it collects browsing data and/or other information as well.
Apps like TotalSearchFunction generate coupons, surveys, banners, pop-ups and/or ads of other types. Quite often ads that are generated by adware are designed to open questionable websites, or even cause download and/or installation of some unwanted software by running certain scripts. As mentioned in the first paragraph, TotalSearchFunction modifies browser's settings - functions as a browser hijacker. Typically, such apps change the address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab to an address of some fake search engine. Also, they do not allow to undo the changes that were made by them unless users uninstall them.
Furthermore, it is likely that TotalSearchFunction collects IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites and/or other information related to user's browsing activities. Also, it could be designed to gather sensitive details as well. The problem with it is that collected data could be monetized by selling it to third parties (possibly cyber criminals) or in other ways. Therefore, users of apps like TotalSearchFunction could encounter issues related to browsing safety, online privacy or even become victim of identity theft.
| Name | Ads by TotalSearchFunction |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| 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. |
To summarize, TotalSearchFunction serves ads and changes browser's settings, and maybe collects certain information as well. Simply said, it generates revenue for its developers and is useless to its users. Therefore, apps like TotalSearchFunction should never be downloaded and installed. A couple of examples of other apps like TotalSearchFunction are SmartSearch, UltraSearchApp and MainBoardSearch.
How did TotalSearchFunction install on my computer?
TotalSearchFunction is distributed via deceptive installer that is designed to look like the installer for Adobe Flash Player. It is worthwhile to mention that fake installers can be used to distribute malware too, for example, various Trojans, ransomware. Also, such apps can be distributed by using deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - by including them in download and/or installation setups of other programs as extra offers. Users download and/or install PUAs together with other programs when they do not change "Advanced", "Custom", and other similar settings, or uncheck certain checkboxes that are available in download and/or installation setups. Sometimes users cause downloads and/or installations of PUAs is by clicking deceptive ads that are designed to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, etc., should not be used. Programs and files should be downloaded from official websites and via direct download links. Downloads and installations should not be completed without checking "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" or other settings of download and/or installation setups - they could include offers to to download and/or install unwanted apps. Advertisements on questionable, unofficial websites can should not be clicked as well. Those ads could cause unwanted downloads, installations, open untrustworthy pages. Any suspicious, unwanted, unknown extensions, plug-ins and/or add-ons that are installed on a browser or programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system should be removed. If your computer is already infected with TotalSearchFunction, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to TotalSearchFunction adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.TotalSearchFunction/TotalSearchFunction
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.TotalSearchFunctionDaemon/TotalSearchFunction
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.TotalSearchFunction.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.TotalSearchFunction.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the TotalSearchFunction 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 "TotalSearchFunction" 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 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 TotalSearchFunction?
- STEP 1. Remove TotalSearchFunction related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove TotalSearchFunction ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove TotalSearchFunction adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove TotalSearchFunction ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
TotalSearchFunction adware removal:
Remove TotalSearchFunction-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 totalsearchfunction 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 TotalSearchFunction removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by totalsearchfunction 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 totalsearchfunction 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 totalsearchfunction 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.
Outstanding!
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