How to uninstall SimpleGuideSearch adware

What is SimpleGuideSearch?

Like most adware-type applications, SimpleGuideSearch generates revenue for its developers by serving various online advertisements. In fact, this app also functions as a browser hijacker (it promotes a fake search engine by changing certain browser settings).

Research shows that SimpleGuideSearch is distributed through a fake, deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer.

When installed, SimpleGuideSearch displays various ads that, if clicked, can open untrusted, potentially malicious pages. In some cases, ads displayed by adware execute scripts that cause download/installation of unwanted apps. Typically, apps such as SimpleGuideSearch feed users with coupons, surveys, banners, pop-ups and/or other types of ads.

Furthermore, SimpleGuideSearch hijacks browsers by changing settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to the URL of a fake search engine. Typically, users cannot modify or undo settings assigned by such apps as long as they are installed.

Note that search engines promoted by apps such as SimpleGuideSearch are often designed to display results generated by other search engines, or they generate misleading results. Additionally, browser hijackers and adware-type apps tend to collect browsing-related data such as addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, geolocations, and IP addresses.

They might also gather sensitive information as well. The data could be sold to third parties (often cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.

Users with apps such as SimpleGuideSearch installed on their browsers and/or computers are at risk of becoming victims of identity theft, experiencing problems relating to online privacy and browsing safety, and other issues. Therefore, SimpleGuideSearch and other similar apps should never be downloaded or installed.

Various third party installers (e.g., fake Adobe Flash Player installers) should also be avoided, since they are used to distribute malicious software such as ransomware, Trojan-type programs, and other malware.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SimpleGuideSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), 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.

SearchExplore, LunarLookup and WebSearchStride are the names of other apps very similar to SimpleGuideSearch, however, there are many more. Most feed users with advertisements and can collect data (often, personal information). They deliver no real features or any other value, and can cause serious issues.

How did SimpleGuideSearch install on my computer?

This app is distributed through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer, however, users often download and install PUAs inadvertently through certain deceptive advertisements that they intentionally (or accidentally) click, or when developers distribute the apps using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

Commonly, developers distribute PUAs by including them into download/installation set-ups as 'additional offers', which can be declined through "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other similar settings. Many  users allow PUAs to infiltrate when they fail to check and change these settings.

When clicked, some ads cause unwanted downloads and installations by executing certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

It is important to download files and programs only from official, trustworthy websites and via direct links. All other channels tools such as third party downloaders and installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites cannot be trusted, since they are often used to distribute PUAs or malicious apps.

Check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings and decline offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not click intrusive ads that are displayed on dubious web pages, since they can open other, potentially malicious websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Unfortunately, these ads can also appear on legitimate web pages. In any case, it is not safe to click them. Remove any unwanted apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) installed on the browser, and software of this kind installed on the operating system.

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

Files related to SimpleGuideSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SimpleGuideSearch/SimpleGuideSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SimpleGuideSearchDaemon/SimpleGuideSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SimpleGuideSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SimpleGuideSearch.plist

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

Video showing how to remove SimpleGuideSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

SimpleGuideSearch adware removal:

Remove SimpleGuideSearch-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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