Remove LookupShare adware from MacOS

What is LookupShare?

LookupShare is advertised as an app that helps users to browse the web, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and adware.

Typically, people download and install software such as LookupShare unintentionally. When installed, adware-type apps serve advertisements and gather information relating to users' browsing activities. We advise you to uninstall LookupShare and other apps of this type installed on the browser and/or operating system immediately.

Adware-type apps such as LookupShare display intrusive advertisements and other unwanted content such as surveys, pop-up ads, coupons, banners, and so on. People who click these ads are usually redirected to untrustworthy websites, which are used to promote dubious software.

Furthermore, the ads might run scripts that download and install other PUAs. LookupShare can read sensitive information from websites, including saved passwords, telephone numbers, credit card details, and so on.

PUAs also collect browsing-related data including, for example, IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, geolocations, etc. Adware developers share the details with third parties (cyber criminals) who misuse them to generate revenue.

Therefore, never install adware. If LookupShare or other adware is installed on the browser or computer, remove it immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by LookupShare
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Full List (VirusTotal)
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.

There are many adware-type apps online. Some examples are SmarterHD, DefaultProducts, and PremiumForward. These apps may seem useful, however, developers advertise simply them as legitimate and useful. In most cases, they are useless and designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

How did LookupShare install on my computer?

Apps such as LookupShare can be downloaded from their 'official' download pages, however, most people download and/or install them inadvertently via clicked intrusive (deceptive) ads and when software developers distribute PUAs using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

They include PUAs in download/installation set-ups of regular software and hide related information in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings. Download/installation of PUAs usually happens when people fail to check the settings and leave them unchanged.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Study each download/installation setup and check all settings such as "Custom" or "Advanced", etc. that are included. Dismiss any offers to download or install additional software. Download software only from official websites and using direct download links.

Tools or sources such as third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, etc., are often used to promote unwanted apps. Therefore, these sources/tools should not be used to download or install software. Many intrusive advertisements redirect to untrustworthy websites, especially when displayed on dubious web pages.

They can also lead to unwanted downloads and installations. Do not trust or click these ads. Remove all unwanted, unknown apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) that are installed on the browser, or programs of this kind installed on the operating system.

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

Pop-up window displayed once LookupShare installation is complete:

LookupShare adware installed on Safari browser:

Installation folder of LookupShare:

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

Video showing how to remove LookupShare adware using Combo Cleaner:

LookupShare adware removal:

Remove LookupShare-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.

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