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How to remove CapitalCharacterSearch adware

Also Known As: Ads by CapitalCharacterSearch
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is CapitalCharacterSearch?

CapitalCharacterSearch functions not only as adware, but also as a browser hijacker: it serves advertisements and promotes the address of a fake search engine by modifying certain browser settings.

It is very likely that CapitalCharacterSearch gathers browsing data as well. Browser hijackers and adware-type apps are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), since users often download and install them inadvertently. This often happens when using a deceptive, fake Adobe Flash Player installer.

CapitalCharacterSearch adware

Adware is a type of software that generates advertisements (e.g., banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups). When clicked, these can open dubious websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations by running certain scripts. Commonly, ads displayed by adware are intrusive and conceal underlying website content.

Since CapitalCharacterSearch functions as adware and also as a browser hijacker, it promotes a fake search engine by changing browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.

Browser hijackers change the settings so that users are forced to visit a specific address when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar. Usually, the only way to undo/remove these changes is to uninstall the app that made them (in this case, CapitalCharacterSearch).

Furthermore, it is possible that CapitalCharacterSearch will also collect various data. Commonly, adware and browser hijackers target browsing data such as entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, IP addresses, geolocations. They might also gather sensitive details.

In any case, the information is misused to generate revenue and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, having apps such as CapitalCharacterSearch installed on the browser and/or operating system can lead to problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety or even identity theft.

Additionally, fake Adobe Flash installers not only distribute apps such as CapitalCharacterSearch but also malicious programs including ransomware, Trojans, and other high-risk malware.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by CapitalCharacterSearch
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.

Some more examples of apps similar to CapitalCharacterSearch include SimpleGuideSearch, SearchExplore and LunarLookup. PUAs are advertised as useful, legitimate apps, however, most are designed only to feed users with advertisements, and promote fake search engines.

They also track and record information. PUAs are useless for regular users and and designed only to help generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, if CapitalCharacterSearch or other apps of this type are already installed on the browser and/or computer, remove them immediately.

How did CapitalCharacterSearch install on my computer?

Research shows that CapitalCharacterSearch is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Users often install this adware/browser hijacker rather than Flash Player when they use an unofficial, deceptive installer. These rogue apps are also distributed through the set-ups of other programs.

I.e., they are included into the download/installation set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is called "bundling". Many users do not check and change the "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings, and fail to decline offers of PUAs.

This allow PUAs to be downloaded and installed with other software. Sometimes PUAs are downloaded and installed when users click deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download software only from trustworthy, official websites and through direct links. Third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, and other channels, sources of this kind are often monetized by distributing PUAs (or even malicious apps).

Check all settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced", and decline offers to download or install additional, unwanted apps. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious pages, since they can open untrusted websites or even download and install unwanted software.

Remove any unwanted, unknown 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 CapitalCharacterSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to CapitalCharacterSearch adware that need to be removed:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.CapitalCharacterSearch/CapitalCharacterSearch
  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.CapitalCharacterSearchDaemon/CapitalCharacterSearch
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.CapitalCharacterSearch.plist
  • ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CapitalCharacterSearch.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote CapitalCharacterSearch 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".

Remove rogue profiles designed to promote CapitalCharacterSearch (Step 1)

2) Select the "CapitalCharacterSearch" profile and delete it.

Remove rogue profiles designed to promote CapitalCharacterSearch (Step 2)

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/browser hijacker.

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:

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

CapitalCharacterSearch adware removal:

Remove CapitalCharacterSearch-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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