How to remove WebAssistSearch adware from the operating system

What is WebAssistSearch?

WebAssistSearch is a dubious application classified as adware. It delivers various intrusive advertisements, however, this app also has characteristics typical of browser hijackers.

WebAssistSearch modifies browsers and promotes bogus search engines. Furthermore, most adware and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity.

Software apps proliferated using these dubious methods are classified as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). WebAssistSearch is no exception to this, as it is distributed via fake Adobe Flash Player updates.

These fake updaters/installers are employed to proliferate unwanted content such as Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

WebAssistSearch runs intrusive ad campaigns, delivering various pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other advertisements. These significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay web page content and limit browsing speed.

Additionally, when clicked, these advertisements redirect to untrusted/malicious websites and execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers (with which WebAssistSearch shares common characteristics) operate by assigning the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, with this software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search made via the URL bar redirects to the address of the bogus web searcher. Fake search engines have no real value, as they are usually unable to provide unique results.

They simply redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) Google, Bing, Yahoo and other legitimate search engines. Furthermore, it is impossible to recover an affected browser without removing the browser hijacker, since access to the browser settings is restricted or denied, and any permitted changes made, automatically reset.

As mentioned, it is likely that WebAssistSearch has data tracking capabilities, which is common to most PUAs. These unwanted apps can monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engines histories) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

Typically, the gathered data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for profit. To summarize, 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, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by WebAssistSearch
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.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.

GlobalDeskSearch, SystemHelper, UniversalWebSearch and TaskProduct are some examples of other adware-type apps. This software may seem legitimate and useful, however, the promised capabilities/features are usually nonoperational.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, cause unwanted redirects, hijack browsers and track private data.

How did WebAssistSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing method of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc.), many users risk unintentionally installing bundled content into their devices. Certain PUAs have "official" download web pages.

Intrusive advertisements can infiltrate such apps into systems as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Software must be researched before download/installation and/or purchase. You are advised to use only official and verified download channels.

Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted, as they offer deceptive/bundled content. When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions, etc.

It is also important to exercise caution when browsing. Intrusive ads may seem normal, however, they often redirect to dubious 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 WebAssistSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to WebAssistSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.WebAssistSearch/WebAssistSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.WebAssistSearchDaemon/WebAssistSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.WebAssistSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.WebAssistSearchDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove WebAssistSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

WebAssistSearch adware removal:

Remove WebAssistSearch-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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