How to uninstall SearchSystem adware from your operating system

What is SearchSystem?

SearchSystem is an adware-type app that runs intrusive advertisement campaigns. The ads it delivers are unwanted, deceptive and possibly even malicious. This application also has characteristics commonly attributed to browser hijackers, such as browser modification and fake search engine promotion.

Since few users install this app intentionally, SearchSystem is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track browsing-related data. SearchSystem is proliferated using bogus Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers, which are used to distribute PUAs and also ransomware, Trojans and other malware.

Adware enables the placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. The intrusive ads do not originate from the underlying web pages and are far more than a minor annoyance. They significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay website content and reduce browsing speed.

When clicked, the resultant pop-ups, banners, coupons and other ads redirect to untrusted and malicious sites. They can even be triggered (when clicked) to execute scripts designed to download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs) without users' consent.

Browser hijackers operate by changing the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of their fake search engines. Therefore, each new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the address of the bogus search engine.

Typically, these fake tools are useless, as they cannot provide unique results. They tend to redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate search engines. Furthermore, access to certain browser settings can be restricted/denied, and any permitted changes made, automatically reset.

Therefore, to recover the affected browser, the browser hijacker must be eliminated. As mentioned, most adware-type apps and browser hijackers can record browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

It is highly likely that this sensitive data will then be shared with third parties seeking to misuse it for financial gain. To summarize, unwanted apps can lead to system infiltration and infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device/user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SearchSystem
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 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 rarely seems suspicious, and many users are tempted into download/installation with offers of "useful" features. InteractiveSpeed, ActivelySearch, and DisplayProgram are just some examples of similar apps. The only purpose of this software is to generate profit for the developers, delivering no real value or functional capabilities for regular users.

This extends to all unwanted applications. PUAs simply run intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and gather private information.

How did SearchSystem install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed together other products. "Bundling" is the name of this deceptive marketing method of pre-packing normal software with unwanted or malicious additions. When downloading/installing, ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc. increases the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content.

Certain PUAs have "official" promotional web pages, from which they can be downloaded. Once clicked, intrusive ads can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All products should be researched to verify their legitimacy, before download/installation. Use only official and trustworthy download sources, as opposed to various Peer-to-Peer sharing networks or other third party downloaders. Treat download/Installation processes with caution.

Read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" options and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and other additions. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate and innocuous, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you encounter ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with SearchSystem, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to the SearchSystem adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchSystem/SearchSystem
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchSystemDaemon/SearchSystem
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SearchSystem.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SearchSystemDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove SearchSystem adware using Combo Cleaner:

SearchSystem adware removal:

Remove SearchSystem-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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