How to uninstall UniversalWebSearch adware from the operating system

What is UniversalWebSearch?

UniversalWebSearch is a rogue application classified as adware. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. This app also possesses browser hijacker characteristics such as browser modification and fake search engine promotion.

Additionally, most adware-type apps and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity. UniversalWebSearch is often distributed using fake Flash Player updates and, therefore, is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Note that bogus software updaters/installers are used to proliferate various PUAs as well as ransomware, Trojans and other malware.

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons and other intrusive ads. These significantly diminish the browsing experience, since they overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. Additionally, when clicked, the ads redirect to untrusted/rogue, sale-based, deceptive/scam, compromised and malicious websites.

They can even be triggered (when clicked) to execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URL settings to the addresses of bogus search engines.

Therefore, each search query typed into the URL bar and each new browser tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address. Fake search engines have no genuine value to users, as they typically cannot provide unique results. Therefore, they redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) Yahoo, Google, Bing and other legitimate search engines.

Furthermore, browser hijackers can reset any changes made to browsers and/or deny access to settings. As mentioned, most PUAs have data tracking capabilities, and it is likely that UniversalWebSearch does as well.

Unwanted apps can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, web pages, viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect sensitive data derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is likely to contain personally identifiable information, which is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for profit.

In summary, the presence of PUAs on devices can lead to system infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, it is crucial to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by UniversalWebSearch
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.Adload), 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.

TaskProduct, AristotleLookup, and TopicFirst are some examples of other adware-type apps. They often seem legitimate and tempt users into download/installation with offers of various "useful" functions, however, the features promised are usually nonoperational.

In fact, this is common to all PUAs. These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect private data.

How did UniversalWebSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated via the download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling". Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of intentionally allowing bundled content onto the system.

Some PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive advertisements can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without users' consent (when clicked).

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Research all products before download/installation. Use only official and verified download channels. Untrusted sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all possible settings, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads often appear normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

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

Files related to UniversalWebSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.UniversalWebSearch/UniversalWebSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.UniversalWebSearchDaemon/UniversalWebSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.UniversalWebSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.UniversalWebSearchDaemon.plist

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

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

UniversalWebSearch adware removal:

Remove UniversalWebSearch-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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