How to get rid of the CharacterVirtualSearch adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is CharacterVirtualSearch?
CharacterVirtualSearch is adware and a browser hijacker that generates advertisements and promotes search.dominantmethod.com (a fake search engine) by changing the web browser's settings. This application is distributed through a fake installer imitating the installer for Adobe Flash Player.
CharacterVirtualSearch adware in detail
The ads displayed by CharacterVirtualSearch can open potentially malicious pages, various scams, and other untrustworthy websites. Also, they might download or install shady apps (if designed to execute specific scripts). Ads coming from CharacterVirtualSearch cannot be trusted.
Another issue with CharacterVirtualSearch is that it hijacks a web browser by changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to search.dominantmethod.com, a fake search engine. Search engines promoted through browser-hijacking apps can promote dubious pages, show results generated by other shady search engines.
| Name | Ads by CharacterVirtualSearch |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| 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. |
More about adware
Apps like CharacterVirtualSearch are capable of collecting information about their users. In such cases, users are at risk of having their identities and personal accounts stolen or experiencing other problems related to online privacy, browsing safety. More adware examples are EasyMacSoft, MainOperation, FormulaBuffer.
How did CharacterVirtualSearch install on my computer?
CharacterVirtualSearch is distributed through a fake installer disguised as the installer for Adobe Flash Player. The website used to promote this installer is unknown, but it is clear that it is some deceptive website (for example, a page suggesting that Flash Player is out of date).
In other cases, adware is distributed using installers for other software, shady advertisements. Installers used to distribute adware have "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings. Users install adware alongside other software when they do not change those settings.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Use legitimate sources such as official websites and platforms to download applications/files. Other sources/channels should not be trusted. Do not click on advertisements that dubious websites (for example, on adult dating sites) display. Deselect optional downloads and installations before downloading and installing programs.
If your computer is already infected with CharacterVirtualSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
CharacterVirtualSearch adware changes the default search engine to search.dominantmethod.com:
Files related to the CharacterVirtualSearch adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.CharacterVirtualSearch/CharacterVirtualSearch
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.CharacterVirtualSearchDaemon/CharacterVirtualSearch
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.CharacterVirtualSearch.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CharacterVirtualSearchDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the CharacterVirtualSearch 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".
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 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 CharacterVirtualSearch?
- STEP 1. Remove CharacterVirtualSearch related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove CharacterVirtualSearch ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove CharacterVirtualSearch adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove CharacterVirtualSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove CharacterVirtualSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:
CharacterVirtualSearch adware removal:
Remove CharacterVirtualSearch-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 can invade privacy, significantly diminish the Internet browsing experience, slow down a computer, and cause other problems.
What does adware do?
As a rule, the main purpose of adware is to display advertisements. Additionally, it can be designed to hijack a web browser (to promote a fake search engine) and gather information about its users.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware is used to promote/advertise various products, websites, services. Most of the revenue that adware developers generate comes from affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove CharacterVirtualSearch adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate CharacterVirtualSearch and other detected adware. Manual removal might not work because various file leftovers may remain hiding in the system even after the removal. Thus, it is recommended to remove adware automatically (with specialized software).
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