How to remove ArtemisSearch adware

What is ArtemisSearch?

ArtemisSearch is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and part of the AdLoad adware family. Adware-type applications feed users with advertisements and collect various information. Research shows that ArtemisSearch also operates as a browser hijacker, since it promotes a fake search engine by changing browser settings.

Adware-type applications are classified as PUAs, since many users download and install them inadvertently. ArtemisSearch is commonly installed via a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Note that these installers are used to distribute malware such as Trojans, ransomware, and also other malicious programs.

Generally, applications such as ArtemisSearch generate revenue for the developers by serving advertisements. They usually display ads in the form of pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, and so on. If clicked, these can open dubious or even malicious websites or even download and install unwanted software by running certain scripts.

ArtemisSearch operates as adware and also as a browser hijacker - it modifies certain browser settings. Typically, these apps change the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to the URL of a fake search engine. In most cases, fake search engines generate misleading results or provide those generated by other search engines.

Furthermore, ArtemisSearch can record information (such as IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations). It might also be capable of accessing personal, sensitive information. In any case, the developers misuse the data to generate revenue, or simply sell it to third parties (including cyber criminals).

As mentioned, ArtemisSearch is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Typically, such installers do not deliver the official Adobe Flash Payer, they install various PUAs instead. In some cases, they can cause installation of malware, including ransomware, Trojans or other malicious software.

This can cause serious problems such as data and monetary loss, identity theft, issues relating to online privacy, browsing safety, etc. Therefore, third party downloaders, installers should never be trusted, especially if they are promoted through dubious web pages.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ArtemisSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Adload.KC), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), 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 applications similar to ArtemisSearch on the internet. Some examples include ActiveTrack, ExclusiveAction and SearchLibrary.

Generally, these serve advertisements and do not deliver any useful features or other value. In summary, most adware-type applications are useless and are the reason behind serious problems. Therefore, never download or install ArtemisSearch or other adware.

How did ArtemisSearch install on my computer?

It is likely that many users who have ArtemisSearch installed on their browsers and computers caused this when they attempted to update and install Adobe Flash Player and inadvertently used a fake installer. This situation can also be caused through the set-ups of other (usually free) programs and deceptive advertisements.

Developers often include PUAs into the set-ups of other software as "additional offers". This distribution method is called "bundling".

In most cases, offers to download and install additionally-included apps can be found in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the software set-ups, however, many people fail to check and change these settings, thereby agreeing by default with offers to download and install unwanted apps.

Additionally, rogue downloads and installations can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (such as torrent clients, eMule, etc.), unofficial web pages, and other similar channels are often used to distribute various PUAs. In some cases, they are also used to distribute malware. Therefore, software and files should be downloaded only from official pages and through direct links.

Furthermore, downloads and installations should not be finished without first checking set-ups for "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings. Commonly, these settings mention offers to download and install additional, unwanted software - dismiss these offers.

Furthermore, it is not safe to click advertisements that appear on dubious websites - they can open untrusted websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins installed on the browser immediately.

Also apply this to software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with ArtemisSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to ArtemisSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.ArtemisSearch/ArtemisSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.ArtemisSearchDaemon/ArtemisSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ArtemisSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ArtemisSearch.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote ArtemisSearch 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 and select "Profiles".

2) Select the "ArtemisSearch" profile and delete it.

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.

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

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

ArtemisSearch adware removal:

Remove ArtemisSearch-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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