How to remove GlobalSearchSystem adware from the operating system?

How to remove GlobalSearchSystem adware from Mac?

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 illegitimate search engines. Furthermore, most adwares and browser hijackers spy on users' browsing habits and collect vulnerable data. This app has been observed being distributed through fake Adobe Flash Player updates (note, illegitimate updaters/installers may also proliferate trojans, ransomware, and other malware). Due to the especially dubious methods used to spread GlobalSearchSystem, it is classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) as well.

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

Browser hijackers assign illegitimate web searcher addresses as browsers' default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs. With such a piece of software installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches done via the URL bar - redirect to the promoted fake search engine's address. These web searchers are rarely able to generate search results, 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/or restrict/deny access to the browser settings. Hence, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without eliminating the software affecting it.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking abilities. 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 unwanted apps on devices - can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by GlobalSearchSystem
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. ▼ 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.

TypicalProcess, DiscoveryUnit, Convuster, and SearchBrowserSky are some examples of apps within the adware category. They appear ordinary and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation with various "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities. However, the functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all. The sole purpose of unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers. PUAs are designed to run intrusive advert campaigns, force-open untrustworthy and malicious websites, hijack browsers, and collect private information.

How did GlobalSearchSystem install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through downloaders/installers of other products. "Bundling" is the name of this deceptive marketing technique - pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions. By rushing download/installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, etc.) - users risk inadvertently allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user permission. PUAs may also have "official" promotional webpages from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Only official and verified download channels must be used. Since dubious download sources, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, explore possible options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate; however, they redirect to various unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on). Should users encounter ads and/or redirects of this kind, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected. If your computer is already infected with GlobalSearchSystem, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to the 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 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 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 ads by globalsearchsystem 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 GlobalSearchSystem removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by globalsearchsystem 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 globalsearchsystem 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 globalsearchsystem 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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