How to remove GlobalSearchSystem adware from the operating system

What is GlobalSearchSystem?

GlobalSearchSystem is an adware-type application with browser hijacker traits. This piece of software delivers intrusive advertisement campaigns and modifies browser settings to promote bogus search engines.

Furthermore, most adware and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing habits and collect vulnerable data. This app has been observed being distributed through fake Adobe Flash Player updates (note, rogue updaters/installers can also proliferate trojans, ransomware, and other malware).

Due to the especially dubious methods used to spread GlobalSearchSystem, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page, and other third-party graphical content. These intrusive ads are more than just a nuisance, they significantly diminish the browsing experience. The advertisements limit site visibility and browsing speed (by overlaying web pages). In addition, when clicked, the ads redirect to dubious/malicious websites, and some can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).

Browser hijackers assign bogus web searcher addresses as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs. With this software installed, new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches made via the URL bar redirects to the promoted fake search engine address.

These web searchers are rarely able to generate search results, and so they redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other legitimate search engines.

Furthermore, browser hijackers can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers and restrict/deny access to the browser settings. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without eliminating the software affecting it.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities. This software typically monitors browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gathers sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations, and even personally identifiable details, etc.). The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of these unwanted apps on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss, and identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

TypicalProcess, DiscoveryUnit, Convuster, and SearchBrowserSky are some examples of other apps within the adware category. They may seem ordinary and harmless, and users are enticed into download/installation with various "useful" features, however, the functions seldom work as advertised and, in most cases, do not work at all.

The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers. PUAs are designed to run intrusive ad campaigns, force-open untrusted and malicious websites, hijack browsers, and collect private information.

How did GlobalSearchSystem install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation of software (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.) many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without users' permission.

Some PUAs have "official" download web pages from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule), and other third party downloaders commonly offer harmful and bundled content, and are therefore untrusted and should be avoided.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, and so on.

Intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious and malicious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others). If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.

Installed programs must be activated and updated with tools or implemented functions that are provided by the official developers. No other third party, unofficial tools should be used.

Note that it is illegal to activate licensed software with ‘cracking’ tools. Files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and via direct download links. Avoid third party installers and the tools/sources mentioned above.

Do not open website links or files in irrelevant emails that are received from unknown, suspicious addresses. These bogus emails are often disguised as official and important. Regularly, scan your computer with reputable, up-to-date antivirus or anti-spyware software.

If your computer is already infected with GlobalSearchSystem, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to GlobalSearchSystem adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.GlobalSearchSystem/GlobalSearchSystem
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.GlobalSearchSystemDaemon/GlobalSearchSystem
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.GlobalSearchSystem.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.GlobalSearchSystemDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote GlobalSearchSystem 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 "GlobalSearchSystem" 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.

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

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. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Quick menu:

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

Video showing how to remove GlobalSearchSystem adware using Combo Cleaner:

GlobalSearchSystem adware removal:

Remove GlobalSearchSystem-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.