How to uninstall QuickLookSearches

What is QuickLookSearches?

The QuickLookSearches application operates as adware and a browser hijacker. It serves various advertisements and promotes the address of a fake search engine by modifying browser settings. Applications of this type often collect various user-system information.

In most cases, people download and install adware/browser hijackers inadvertently. For this reason, they are also known as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

People are commonly tricked into installing QuickLookSearches when using a fake Adobe Flash Player installer, which is designed to stealthily infiltrate the app.

Most adware-type applications generate revenue for the developers by feeding users with banners, coupons, pop-ups, surveys and other ads. The displayed ads often conceal underlying content of visited pages and, if clicked, open dubious web pages.

In some cases, these ads can execute scripts designed to download and install unwanted, potentially unwanted apps. Additionally, QuickLookSearches promotes the address of a fake search engine.

Generally, apps that promote fake search engines change settings such as the address of the default search engine, new tab and homepage. They assign them to the address of a fake search engine and do not allow users to remove it.

Typically, the unwanted address can only be removed by uninstalling the rogue app that originally corrupted the settings. Note that fake search engines do not generate any unique results, or they generate misleading information.

Furthermore, it is possible that QuickLookSearches functions as an information tracking tool. I.e., it might be designed to collect browsing-related information such entered search queries, IP addresses, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, and other details of this kind. It might also target personal information.

The people behind apps such as QuickLookSearches could sell the collected details to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse them to generate revenue in other ways.

Therefore, QuickLookSearches (or other adware's) users might become victims of identity theft, experience problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, and other issues. Therefore, never download or install this, or similar apps.

As mentioned, QuickLookSearches can be installed through a fake installer, which installs this rogue software rather than the official Adobe Flash Player.

These installers proliferate malicious programs such as ransomware, Trojans, and other malware. It is never safe to install programs through third party, unofficial installers.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by QuickLookSearches
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.1), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), 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.

There are many adware-type applications similar to QuickLookSearches on the internet. Some other examples include SearchSystem, ActivelySearch and ActiveTrack. Commonly, these apps are advertised as useful, legitimate, etc., however, most do not operate as promised.

On the contrary, installed adware displays ads and records details, which can lead to serious issues. Therefore, remove any adware-type applications (or other PUAs) that are installed on the browser or operating system.

How did QuickLookSearches install on my computer?

Research shows that QuickLookSearches's installer is disguised as the installer of Adobe Flash Player - this is how the developers trick people into installing this rogue app. PUAs also infiltrate systems in other ways.

They are often downloaded and installed through deceptive advertisements that users click (intentionally or unintentionally) or during the download/installation processes of other software.

Commonly, developers include adware, browser hijackers and other unwanted apps into the set-ups of various software as 'additional offers'. These offers to download or install additional apps are usually hidden in "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings. This distribution method is called "bundling".

When users download and install their programs without checking and changing the aforementioned settings, they inadvertently allow PUAs to be downloaded and installed as well.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Files and programs should be downloaded from official web pages and via direct links. Other channels can be used to distribute unwanted, potentially malicious applications.

Examples of such channels are third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, free file hosting pages, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule.

Check download and installation settings (such as "Advanced", "Custom") and decline offers to download or install unwanted applications before finishing the process.

Do not click intrusive ads that are displayed on untrusted websites, since they can open other web pages of this kind or even execute scripts designed to download/install unwanted apps.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) that are installed on the browser, and software of this kind that is installed on the operating system.

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

Files related to QuickLookSearches adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.QuickLookSearches/QuickLookSearches
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.QuickLookSearchesDaemon/QuickLookSearches
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.QuickLookSearches.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.QuickLookSearchesDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove QuickLookSearches adware using Combo Cleaner:

QuickLookSearches adware removal:

Remove QuickLookSearches-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.

▼ Show Discussion