How to uninstall NetEmpireSearch adware

What is NetEmpireSearch?

NetEmpireSearch is rogue software. This application is classified as adware and possesses browser hijacker characteristics. It operates by delivering intrusive ad campaigns and modifying browsers to promote fake search engines. Additionally, most adware and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing habits, and it is highly likely that NetEmpireSearch does so as well.

Since most users download/install this app unintentionally, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). One of NetEmpireSearch's proliferation methods is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Bogus software updaters/installers are often used to proliferate, not just PUAs, but Trojans, ransomware and other malware as well.

Adware enables the placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. This software can deliver pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements. These significantly diminish the browsing experience by overlaying web page content and reducing browsing speed.

Furthermore, when clicked, intrusive ads redirect to untrusted and malicious websites and can execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers assign the addresses of their promoted bogus search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed, each search query typed into the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened redirects to the address of the fake search engine. These bogus search engines cannot usually generate unique results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate search engines. 

Recovering an affected browser is only possible by removing the browser hijacker, as any changes users attempt to make are automatically reset, if access to the browser settings is permitted at all. It also is likely that NetEmpireSearch has data tracking capabilities, since most of this software typically does.

It might monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is often monetized by sharing it with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to similarly misuse it for profit.

Therefore, the presence of PUAs on devices can lead to various system infiltration and infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

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

LookupTool, BasicSearchPlatform and AimSearch are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and useful, however, the features promised rarely work. This is the case for most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers.

PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause unwanted redirects and track sensitive data.

How did NetEmpireSearch install on my computer?

PUAs proliferate via the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing method of packing normal software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing download and installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content onto the system. Some PUAs have "official" download sites. Intrusive advertisements can also infiltrate these applications onto devices. Once clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all products before download/installation or purchase. All downloads should be performed only from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography and others).

If you encounter ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with NetEmpireSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to NetEmpireSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.NetEmpireSearch/NetEmpireSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.NetEmpireSearchDaemon/NetEmpireSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.NetEmpireSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.NetEmpireSearchDaemon.plist

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

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

NetEmpireSearch adware removal:

Remove NetEmpireSearch-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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