How to uninstall OriginalTechSearch adware from the operating system

What is OriginalTechSearch?

OriginalTechSearch is a rogue application classified as adware. The app delivers intrusive ad campaigns and also has browser hijacker characteristics.

I.e., browser modification and fake search engine promotion. Adware-type apps and browser hijackers typically monitor users' browsing activity. Additionally, since most users install OriginalTechSearch unintentionally, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

This application is proliferated using fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Note that bogus software updaters/installers are also used to proliferate various PUAs and even malware (e.g. ransomware, Trojans, etc.).

OriginalTechSearch adware enables the placement of third party graphical content onto any visited website. Therefore, the pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other ads do not originate from the opened site.

These intrusive advertisements reduce browsing speed and limit web page visibility (by overlaying them). Furthermore, once clicked, the ads redirect to sale-oriented, untrusted, rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious websites.

Some can be triggered (when clicked) to execute scripts designed to download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs) without users' permission. Browser hijackers (with which OriginalTechSearch shares common characteristics) operate by assigning the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, each new browser tab/window opened and each search made via the URL bar redirects to the address of the bogus search engine. Most of these fake search tools cannot provide unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites.

Furthermore, any changes users attempt to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is permitted at all. To recover the affected browser, it is necessary to remove the browser hijacker.

As mentioned, PUAs can usually track data. They record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect users' personal activity (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

This sensitive data is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), seeking to misuse it for profit. To summarize, rogue apps such as OriginalTechSearch can lead to system infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft.

To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by OriginalTechSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), DrWeb (Adware.Mac.Loader.17), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adlo), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to the 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.

DynamicExtra, BasicVirtual, ArtemisSearch and TotalLetterSearch are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem normal and useful, with a wide variety of functions, which are typically nonoperational.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, cause unwanted redirects and track private data.

How did OriginalTechSearch install on my computer?

PUAs spread through the download/installation set-ups of other products. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions.

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content. Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages. Once clicked, intrusive ads can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software, before download/installation or purchase. Use only official and verified download channels.

Untrustworthy sources such as free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive or bundled content. Treat download/Installation processes with caution.

It is important to read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and innocuous, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).

If you encounter advertisements/redirects of this kind, you are strongly advised to check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with OriginalTechSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to OriginalTechSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.OriginalTechSearch/OriginalTechSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.OriginalTechSearchDaemon/OriginalTechSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.OriginalTechSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.OriginalTechSearchDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote OriginalTechSearch 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 "OriginalTechSearch" 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 OriginalTechSearch?
• STEP 1. Remove OriginalTechSearch related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove OriginalTechSearch ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove OriginalTechSearch adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove OriginalTechSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.

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

OriginalTechSearch adware removal:

Remove OriginalTechSearch-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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