How to uninstall LunarLookup adware from the operating system

What is LunarLookup?

LunarLookup is rogue software classified as adware. This application also possesses browser hijacker traits. LunarLookup operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, modifying browsers and promoting fake search engines. Furthermore, most adware type apps and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities employed to monitor users' browsing habits.

Due to the dubious methods used to spread LunarLookup, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). One of these dubious proliferation techniques is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Bogus software installers/updaters are also used to distribute Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

LunarLookup enables the placement of various intrusive ads, such as pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and others on any website. They overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. Additionally, when clicked, these ads redirect to untrusted/rogue, sale-based, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious websites.

Some intrusive advertisements can be triggered (when clicked) to execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers, with which LunarLookup shares common characteristics, reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines.

Therefore, each search made through the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened redirects to the promoted address. Fake search engines are rarely able to provide unique results, and so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Google, Bing and other legitimate sites.

Even if bogus search engines can provide results, they are inaccurate or promote dubious and malicious websites. To recover an affected browser, the browser hijacker must be eliminated, since any changes users attempt to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is permitted at all.

Most PUAs can track data, and it is highly likely that LunarLookup possesses these capabilities. These unwanted apps can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The gathered data is typically shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for financial gain. Therefore, the presence of PUAs on devices can lead to system infiltration and infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft.

To ensure device integrity and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by LunarLookup
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), GData (OSX.Trojan.Agent.CJZ2KB), 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.

SkilledEntry, WebSearchStride and ProgressStart are some examples of other adware infections. This software may seem legitimate and harmless, and people are often tempted into download/installation with offers of "useful" features, which are typically nonoperational.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. These unwanted apps have just one purpose: to generate profit for the developers, while regular users receive no value and can experience serious problems. PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and track sensitive data.

How did LunarLookup install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated via the download/installation set-ups of other products. "Bundling" is the term used to describe this deceptive marketing tactic of packing normal software with unwanted or malicious additions.

Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled or dubious content into the system. When clicked, intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

Some of these apps even have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

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

Approach download and installation processes with care. Read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and decline offers to download/install additional apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate, however they can redirect to dubious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).

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

Files related to LunarLookup adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.LunarLookup/LunarLookup
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.LunarLookupDaemon/LunarLookup
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.LunarLookup.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LunarLookupDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove LunarLookup adware using Combo Cleaner:

LunarLookup adware removal:

Remove LunarLookup-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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