How to uninstall AuraSearch adware from the operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
How to remove AuraSearch from Mac?
What is AuraSearch?
AuraSearch is classified as adware because it generates online advertisements. Also, it functions as a browser hijacker - it modifies browser's settings without user's permission. It is likely that AuraSearch collects browsing-related and/or other data as well. Apps like AuraSearch are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), it is because most users download and install them inadvertently. This particular apps is distributed via fake Adobe Flash Player installer.
Examples of ads that apps like AuraSearch generate are banners, coupons, surveys, pop-up ads. It is common that ads generated by adware-type apps are designed to promote unreliable pages or even cause downloads, installations of unwanted apps by executing certain scripts. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, AuraSearch functions not only as adware, but also as a browser hijacker. It means that it changes browser's settings such as address of a default search engine, homepage and/or new tab to an address of some fake search engine and does not allow users to remove that address from browser's settings unless it is no longer installed on the operating system and/or browser.
Furthermore, it is likely that AuraSearch gathers information related to user's browsing activities. For instance, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, and other browsing-related information. However, it is possible that it gathers more personal, sensitive data as well. The biggest problem is that its developers could sell gathered information to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or monetize it in some other way. In such case its users may encounter problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, or even become victims of identity theft.
| Name | Ads by AuraSearch |
| 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. |
TotalSearchFunction, SmartSearch and UltraSearchApp are the names of apps that are similar to AuraSearch. Although, there are many other examples. Typically, these apps are designed to generate revenue for their developers by serving ads, gathering various data and/or promoting some fake search engines. In other words, they are useless to their users and can be the culprit of various issues.
How did AuraSearch install on my computer?
AuraSearch is distributed via fake Adobe Flash Player installer. It is important to known that fake, third party installers could be used to distribute not only apps like AuraSearch but also malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojan-type malware). Also, it is common for PUAs to be distributed by including them as extra offers in download and/or installation setups of other programs. This distribution method is known as "bundling". Users download and/or install PUAs together with other programs when they do not decline unwanted. As a rule, it can be done via "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings, or by unticking certain checkboxes before finishing downloads and/or installations. In some cases PUAs are distributed by designing deceptive advertisements to execute certain scripts. However, PUAs get downloaded, or installed only when users click those ads.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Programs and files should not be downloaded from unofficial websites, via third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), etc., or installed via third party installers. They should be downloaded only from official websites and via direct links. Download and/or installation setups that have "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings, or some checkboxes, should be always checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Ads that appear on questionable pages should not be trusted (clicked). Quite often those ads are designed to open untrustworthy websites or cause downloads, installations of some unwanted applications. And lastly, there should not be any suspicious, unwanted extensions, add-ons or plug-ins installed on a browser, or programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with AuraSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to AuraSearch adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.AuraSearch/
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.AuraSearchDaemon/AuraSearch
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.AuraSearch.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AuraSearch.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the AuraSearch 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 "AuraSearch" 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 AuraSearch?
- STEP 1. Remove AuraSearch related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove AuraSearch ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove AuraSearch adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove AuraSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
AuraSearch adware removal:
Remove AuraSearch-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 aurasearch 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 AuraSearch removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by aurasearch 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 aurasearch 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 aurasearch 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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