CleanSearch Adware (Mac)

What is CleanSearch adware?

CleanSearch generates advertisements and makes changes in the affected browser's settings (hijacks a web browser). CleanSearch is classified as adware and a browser hijacker. It is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.

CleanSearch adware

CleanSearch adware in detail

Advertisements displayed by CleanSearch could open untrustworthy websites designed to extract personal information (like passwords, credit card details, bank account numbers, and to promote other PUAs. CleanSearch could generate pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, and other types of advertisements.

The web browser's settings that CleanSearch changes are a default search engine, homepage, and new tab. It changes them to a fake search engine (its address). Fake search engines can generate misleading results (promote shady websites) or show results generate by other questionable search engines.

Threat Summary:
Name	Ads by CleanSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.AdloadTR.10), 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 (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. Download Combo Cleaner 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.

More details about CleanSearch application

CleanSearch may collect IP addresses, search queries, and other browsing data and (or) sensitive information. Data collected by CleanSearch could be misused to steal online accounts, identities, or other malicious purposes. More adware examples are SampleSkilled, ValidNetBoost, and ValidConfigType.

How did CleanSearch install on my computer?

CleanSearch is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer that is promoted on deceptive websites. Also, it could be distributed via downloaders and installers for other programs and advertisements designed to run certain scripts. Downloaders and installers used to distribute PUAs have "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings.

Users agree to download or install PUAs when they leave the aforementioned settings unchanged. Advertisements cannot cause unexpected downloads or installations unless users click on them.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Applications (and files) should be downloaded only from legitimate sources like official websites. Downloaders and installers that have any settings or ticked checkboxes should be checked optional downloads or installations. Advertisements displayed on questionable pages or by installed PUAs should not be clicked.

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

Files related to the CleanSearch adware that need to be removed:

~/Library/Application Support/com.CleanSearch/CleanSearch
~/Library/Application Support/com.CleanSearchDaemon/CleanSearch
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.CleanSearch.plist
~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CleanSearchDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the CleanSearch 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 (Dock) and select "Profiles".

Remove malicious profiles added by CleanSearch (step 1)

2) Locate all suspicious profiles and delete them.

Remove malicious profiles added by CleanSearch (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 adware/browser hijacker.

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:

DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner

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

Video showing how to remove CleanSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

CleanSearch adware removal:

Remove CleanSearch-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.

DOWNLOAD remover for malware infections

Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. 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.

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 1 Check 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 2 Check 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 3 Check 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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4 Check 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 5 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.

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

Remove 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.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

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

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can affect web browsing experience in a negative way. Also, it could slow down a computer and cause problems related to browsing safety, online privacy.

What does adware do?

The main purpose of adware is to generate revenue for its developers by displaying ads. In some cases, adware can be monetized by promoting fake search engines.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers generate revenue by promoting various products, websites, services. The biggest part of their money come from affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove CleanSearch adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate CleanSearch and other installed adware-type applications. Pretty often, it is necessary to remove software of this type with an application like Combo Cleaner because various file leftovers may remain hiding in the system by removing it manually (some of its components might still be present and running).