How to remove the SearchPrimaryData adware from your operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SearchPrimaryData?
SearchPrimaryData is a rogue application categorized as adware, and it also has browser hijacker traits. This app operates by running intrusive ad campaigns and promotes fake search engines through modifications to browser settings. SearchPrimaryData likely has data tracking abilities as well.
Due to the dubious methods used to distribute adware and browser hijackers, they are considered to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). SearchPrimaryData has been observed being proliferated via fake Adobe Flash Player updates.
SearchPrimaryData adware in detail
Adware can deliver pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons, and other intrusive advertisements. They can be displayed on any visited website and/or different interfaces. Intrusive adverts diminish the browsing experience by overlaying webpage content and slowing down the browsing speed.
Furthermore, these ads pose a threat to device and user safety. Intrusive advertisements endorse various sale-based, rogue, misleading, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious websites. What is more, upon being clicked on, some of the adverts can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).
Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Hence, with such a piece of software installed: search queries typed into the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened - redirect to the promoted address.
Fraudulent search engines are seldom able to provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other genuine ones. Browser hijackers can reset any changes users try to make to their browsers. Alternatively, they can restrict or deny access to their browsers. Therefore, restoring a hijacked browser is impossible without eliminating the software affecting it.
What is more, PUAs usually have data tracking abilities. They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather vulnerable information extracted from it (IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc.). The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. It is strongly advised to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by SearchPrimaryData |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.23133), 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. |
Adware in general
ExtendedTransaction, OnlineExplorer, BestForMac, and LeadingChannelSearch are some examples of apps within the adware classification. They appear legitimate and offer a wide variety of "handy" functionalities. However, despite how good the promised functions may sound - they are seldom operational.
In fact, nearly all PUAs lure users into download/installation with fake features. The sole purpose of unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers; it has no real value to the users. PUAs are designed to deliver intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects, and collect private data.
How did SearchPrimaryData install on my computer?
PUAs are spread via download/installation setups of other programs. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular software with unwanted/malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission. PUAs may also have "official" promotional sites from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is important to research software before download/installation. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful content.
When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate and innocuous; however, they redirect to dubious websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with SearchPrimaryData, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to the SearchPrimaryData adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchPrimaryData/SearchPrimaryData
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchPrimaryDataDaemon/SearchPrimaryData
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SearchPrimaryData.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SearchPrimaryDataDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the SearchPrimaryData 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 (Dock) and select "Profiles".
2) Locate all suspicious profiles and delete them.
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:
- What is SearchPrimaryData?
- STEP 1. Remove SearchPrimaryData related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SearchPrimaryData ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SearchPrimaryData adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SearchPrimaryData ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SearchPrimaryData adware using Combo Cleaner:
SearchPrimaryData adware removal:
Remove SearchPrimaryData-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.
Outstanding!
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