How to remove the CharacterSearch unwanted application?

What is CharacterSearch?

Adware is a type of software that generates advertisements. It is uncommon for software of this type to be downloaded and installed knowingly. There are certain deceptive techniques to trick users into downloading or installing adware. It is known that CharacterSearch is distributed a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.

CharacterSearch adware in detail

The CharacterSearch app functions as adware, browser hijacker and likely a data collector. As mentioned in the introduction, users rarely download and install adware intentionally. Therefore, CharacterSearch and other apps of this type are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Usually, adware-type apps generate banners, coupons, pop-up ads, display surveys, etc. In one way or another, it is common for ads displayed by adware to be used to promote questionable websites. In some cases, those advertisements can be used to distribute other PUAs by designing them to run certain scripts (cause downloads, installations). For this reason, it is recommended not to click ads that CharacterSearch or any other adware displays.

Also, CharacterSearch changes the address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab in the settings of a browser that has this app installed on it. CharacterSearch hijacks a browser to promote a fake search engine - it forces users to use a certain fake search engine while they browse the web. Typically, fake search engines provide results generated by Yahoo, Google, or other legitimate search engines. However, they can generate misleading results (e.g.m promote potentially malicious websites) as well.

Additionally, it is possible that CharacterSearch collects browsing-related information such as IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, visited addresses, etc. Also, it is possible that this app collects personal information that could be used to steal online accounts, commit identity fraud, make fraudulent transactions. It is known that there are many adware-type apps that can read passwords, credit card details, names, surnames, etc.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by CharacterSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.l), 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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

More adware examples

There is a great number of apps like CharacterSearch. Some examples are DefaultUpgrade, LocalTech, and FileDisplay. Typically, their main purpose is to generate annoying advertisements on websites. However, they often have additional functionalities - they hijack browsers by changing their settings and collect various information. In one way or another, it is strongly recommended not to download and install apps like CharacterSearch (adware, browser hijackers).

How did CharacterSearch install on my computer?

It is known that CharacterSearch is distributed using a fake installer that is designed to look like the installer for the Adobe Flash Player. It is important to know that fake/third-party installers can be used to trick users into installing malicious programs (e.g., ransomware, trojans). Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to use them to install any software.

Another popular way to distribute PUAs is to bundle them together with other programs. Users download and install potentially unwanted applications when they do not change certain settings. Typically, downloaders and installers that include additional offers have "Manual", "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings, or ticked checkboxes that can be used to decline those offers. This distribution method is called "bundling".

In some cases, potentially unwanted apps are distributed through advertisements. Users cause unwanted, unexpected downloads, installations by clicking those ads. It is important to mention that most of those ads appear only on untrustworthy websites.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Third-party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), questionable, unofficial pages, and other similar tools, channels should not be used to download or install the software. Quite often, these channels are used as tools to distribute various PUAs or even malicious programs. The safest way to download software (and files) is by using official websites and direct links.

Furthermore, downloaders and installers with "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings, o ticked checkboxes should be checked for unwanted offers. It should be done before finishing downloads, installations. Typically, the aforementioned settings can be used to opt out unwanted apps.

Intrusive advertisements appearing on untrustworthy pages should not be clicked. It is common that those ads are used to promote untrustworthy, potentially malicious pages, or they can cause unwanted downloads, installations. Any suspicious, unwanted, or unknown extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons installed on a browser should be removed.

Programs of this kind installed on the operating system should be uninstalled as well. If your computer is already infected with CharacterSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

List of CharacterSearch's files that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.CharacterSearch/CharacterSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.CharacterSearchDaemon/CharacterSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.CharacterSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CharacterSearchDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the CharacterSearch 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 "CharacterSearch" 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 IT 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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

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

Video showing how to remove CharacterSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

CharacterSearch adware removal:

Remove CharacterSearch-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.

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