How to uninstall SearchModule adware from the operating system

What is SearchModule?

SearchModule is an adware-type application with browser hijacker characteristics. Following successful infiltration, this app delivers various unwanted and dangerous advertisements, modifies browsers and promotes a fake search engine. Additionally, most adware and browser hijackers can record browsing-related data.

Since many people download/install SearchModule unintentionally, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). One of the dubious techniques used to distribute SearchModule is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. These bogus software updaters/installers are used to proliferate not only PUAs, but also Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners and other intrusive ads - typically, on any visited website. I.e., these advertisements do not originate from the websites, but are delivered by adware-type software. Intrusive ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed.

When clicked, they redirect to untrusted and malicious web pages, and can also execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers operate by reassigning the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines.

Therefore, with this software installed, each new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address. Rogue search engines usually cannot generate unique results and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Bing, Yahoo and other legitimate sites.

Furthermore, any changes users try to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is permitted at all. Therefore, recovering the affected browser is impossible without removal of the browser hijacker. As mentioned, SearchModule might also have data tracking capabilities.

Applications of this type often monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information derived from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is monetized by sharing with, or selling to, third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) intent on similarly misusing it.

To summarize, the presence of these unwanted apps on devices can lead to various system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SearchModule
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.

ProgressExpert, HermesLookup and CapitalCharacterSearch are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem normal and harmless, often tempting users into download/installation with offers of various functionalities, however, the advertised features are usually nonoperational. This is typical of all PUAs.

The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, modify browsers, force-open untrusted/malicious websites and collect private information.

How did SearchModule install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other software. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called 'bundling'. Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.

Some PUAs have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all software before download/installation. All downloads should be performed only from official and trustworthy sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive or bundled content, and should be avoided.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads may seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious sites (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

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

Files related to SearchModule adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchModule/SearchModule
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchModuleDaemon/SearchModule
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SearchModule.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SearchModuleDaemon.plist

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

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

SearchModule adware removal:

Remove SearchModule-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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