How to uninstall SearchNetLetter adware from operating systems

What is SearchNetLetter?

SearchNetLetter is a rogue application classified as adware and possessing browser hijacker characteristics. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browser settings, and promoting fake search engines.

Additionally, most adware infections and browser hijackers can record browsing-relating information, and it is highly likely that SearchNetLetter also has these data tracking capabilities. Due to the dubious techniques used to distribute SearchNetLetter, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

This app is proliferated via bogus Adobe Flash Player updates. Note that fake software updaters/installers are commonly used to distribute not just PUAs, but also malware (e.g. Trojans, ransomware, etc.).

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive ads typically, on any visited website. These ads diminish the browsing experience by overlaying web page content and reducing browsing speed.

Furthermore, when clicked, intrusive advertisements often redirect to dubious/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines.

Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed, each new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address. Fake search engines have no genuine value to users, as they are typically unable to provide unique results - they simply redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites.

Recovering an affected browser is impossible without removing the browser hijacker, since it can restrict access to the browser settings and/or automatically reset any user changes made. As mentioned, most PUAs (including adware and browser hijackers) can track data.

They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). Furthermore, PUA developers monetize this information by sharing it with and/or selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, you are strongly advised to eliminate all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SearchNetLetter
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 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.

SearchTopic, Kreberisec and ProduceStyle are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem normal and harmless, and users are often tempted into download/installation with offers of "useful" features. Despite how good these functionalities may sound, they are rarely operational.

In fact, this information is true of 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, modify browsers, cause redirects and collect private data.

How did SearchNetLetter install on my computer?

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

Some PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

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

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

If you encounter these ads/redirects, check the system and remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins removed without delay. If your computer is already infected with SearchNetLetter, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to SearchNetLetter adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchNetLetter/SearchNetLetter
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchNetLetterDaemon/SearchNetLetter
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SearchNetLetter.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SearchNetLetterDaemon.plist

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

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

SearchNetLetter adware removal:

Remove SearchNetLetter-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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