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How to uninstall the OriginalSearchTech application?

Also Known As: Ads by OriginalSearchTech
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is OriginalSearchTech?

OriginalSearchTech is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that has the functionality of an adware-type application and a browser hijacker. OriginalSearchTech is designed to generate advertisements and promote the address of a certain fake search engine by making certain changes in a web browser's settings.

It is possible that OriginalSearchTech collects various information as well. In most cases, users download and install PUAs inadvertently. It is known that the OriginalSearchTech app is distributed via a deceptive installer that is disguised as the installer for the Adobe Flash Player.

OriginalSearchTech adware

OriginalSearchTech in detail

OriginalSearchTech generates revenue for its developer by displaying advertisements (for example, banners, coupons, pop-up ads, surveys). Usually, by clicking ads displayed by adware like OriginalSearchTech users open dubious pages (for example, download pages shady software, scam websites).

In some cases, those ads can be designed to execute certain scripts to cause unexpected downloads, installations. In one way or another, it is highly advisable not to trust ads generated by adware. Another problem with the OriginalSearchTech application is that it hijacks browsers by changing their settings.

Typically, browser hijackers change settings such as the address of a homepage, new tab, and default search engine. They change them to an address of a fake search engine. Most fake search engines show results generated by another search engine (legitimate engine like Google or some questionable search engine).

Also, fake search engines can be designed to show search results with links to untrustworthy web pages in them. It is noteworthy that a hijacked browser cannot be stopped from opening a certain address unless a browser hijacker (in this case, OriginalSearchTech) is no longer installed on it (or the operating system).

Additionally, it is likely that OriginalSearchTech is designed to gather details like IP addresses, entered search queries, geolocations, or other information related to browsing habits. It is known that many adware-type apps can read passwords, credit card details, or other sensitive information.

What is worse, information collected by an app like OriginalSearchTech could be misused for malicious purposes. For example, it could be used to commit identity fraud, steal personal accounts, make fraudulent purchases or transactions. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to trust PUAs that can access various information.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by OriginalSearchTech
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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

OriginalSearchTech adware in general

In conclusion, OriginalSearchTech is not a trustworthy application designed to generate advertisements and force users to search the web with a fake search engine. There are lots of applications like OriginalSearchTech on the Internet. Some examples are ConnectSystem, UpgradeFilter, and AccessDefault. Typically, users install them unintentionally.

How did OriginalSearchTech install on my computer?

OriginalSearchTech is distributed through a fake installer that is designed to look like the installer for Adobe Flash Player. It is important to know that fake installers can be designed to install malicious programs, too, for example, ransomware, trojans. It is common that fake installers are promoted on deceptive websites.

It is also common that PUAs are distributed together with other programs. More precisely, via downloaders, installers that have "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", or other settings, or ticked checkboxes. Typically, PUAs are included in freeware downloaders, installers. This distribution method is called bundling.

In some cases, users cause undesired installations or downloads by clicking unreliable, deceptive advertisements designed to run certain scripts. Usually, advertisements of this type appear on questionable websites. Usually, users do not visit those websites intentionally (for example, they get opened by installed PUAs).

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Applications should be downloaded from official, trustworthy websites and via direct links. They should not be downloaded or installed through unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, various third-party downloaders. Downloads from such sources could be malicious. The same applies to third-party installers.

Downloaders and installers with settings like "Custom", "Advanced" should be checked for unwanted applications. Unwanted offers can and should be declined before finishing downloads, installations. Ads that appear on shady pages should not be clicked as well - those ads can be designed to cause unwanted downloads, installations.

Unwanted, suspicious apps installed on a browser or programs of this kind installed on the operating system should be removed. If your computer is already infected with OriginalSearchTech, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to OriginalSearchTech adware that need to be removed:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.OriginalSearchTech/OriginalSearchTech
  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.OriginalSearchTechDaemon/OriginalSearchTech
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.OriginalSearchTech.plist
  • ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.OriginalSearchTechDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the OriginalSearchTech website 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"

Remove malicious profiles added by OriginalSearchTech (step 1)

2) Locate all suspicious profiles and delete them.

Remove malicious profiles added by OriginalSearchTech (step 2)

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 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:

Video showing how to remove OriginalSearchTech adware using Combo Cleaner:

OriginalSearchTech adware removal:

Remove OriginalSearchTech-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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