How to uninstall IndexSearch adware and remove the ads it delivers?

What is IndexSearch?

IndexSearch is an adware-type application with browser hijacker traits. Since most users inadvertently download/install such apps, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

IndexSearch adware in detail

Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on visited websites and/or different interfaces. This software can display pop-ups, coupons, surveys, banners, and other intrusive ads. They severely diminish the browsing experience and endanger device/user safety.

Intrusive advertisements endorse various sale-oriented, untrustworthy, rogue, scam, and even malicious sites. What is more, some of these adverts can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs) - when they are clicked on.

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Therefore, every single search query typed into the URL bar and new tab/window opened - redirect to the promoted address.

Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate ones. Browser hijackers also use persistence-ensuring methods - to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

Most PUAs have data tracking abilities; hence, it is likely that IndexSearch does as well. Targeted data includes browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The collected information is monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by IndexSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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.

Adware in general

HdTrack, BoostSign, and BeyondLaunch are a couple examples of adware. This software looks legitimate and offers various functionalities, which usually do not work.

This is true of nearly all PUAs. The sole purpose of these apps is to generate revenue at user expense. PUAs can have harmful abilities for this purpose, e.g., running intrusive ad campaigns, hijacking browsers, causing redirects, and collecting private data.

How did IndexSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed using the "bundling" technique - packing regular software with various supplements. By rushing through downloads/installations, users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. PUAs may also have "official" download webpages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software and only download from official and verified channels. Untrustworthy sources, e.g., Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, unofficial and freeware websites, etc. - often offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all additions. Intrusive ads appear legitimate, yet they redirect to dubious sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

Should users experience such advertisements and/or redirects, they must check their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with IndexSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once IndexSearch adware's installation is over:

IndexSearch adware's installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove IndexSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

IndexSearch adware removal:

Remove IndexSearch-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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware infiltrated into a system can decrease its performance and diminish the browsing experience. This software usually has data tracking abilities, which makes it a threat to user privacy. Adware-delivered adverts can be deceptive and even malicious; hence, they pose serious device/user safety threats.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to display various ads on different interfaces (e.g., visited websites, desktop, injected into search results, etc.).

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue mostly through affiliate programs by promoting websites, applications, services, etc. The developers of this software can get commission from ad clicks, site visits, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove IndexSearch adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal is not always a perfect solution. In some cases, even after the software is removed - leftover files may remain. Furthermore, such remnants can continue running and causing issues.

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