How to remove NetGuideSearch adware

What is NetGuideSearch?

NetGuideSearch is an adware-type application that has browser hijacker characteristics. This app runs intrusive ad campaigns and modifies browser settings to promote a fake search engine. Additionally, most adware infections and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity.

Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate NetGuideSearch, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). One method that has been used to proliferate this application is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Note that bogus updaters/installers proliferate Trojans, ransomware and other malware as well.

Adware delivers various pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements. Typically, the ads are placed on any visited website. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience, since the ads overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed.

When clicked, intrusive ads redirect to untrusted/malicious sites and some can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers operate by reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines.

With this software installed, each search query typed into the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address. As well as unwanted redirects to fake search engine addresses, these web search tools are useless, as they are rarely capable of providing unique results.

Therefore, bogus search engines tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Google, Bing and other legitimate search engines. Furthermore, browser hijackers can reset any changes users try to make to their browsers and/or deny access to the browser settings.

As mentioned, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities. They can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The collected data is usually shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), seeking to misuse it for profit.

Therefore, the presence of data-tacking software on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by NetGuideSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
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.

Adware seldom seems suspicious - and, in most cases, this software will seem legitimate and useful. SearchNetLetter, SmartQuestSearch, SearchTopic and RecognitionAssist are some examples of other adware-type applications.

PUAs have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers, and this also applies to adware. Rather than delivering any real value, these unwanted apps run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, force-open dubious/malicious websites and collect private data.

How did NetGuideSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed with other software. This deceptive marketing technique of packing normal products with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling". Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertent installed of dubious and/or bundled content.

Certain PUAs have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive ads can also infiltrate these applications into systems. When clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software to verify its legitimacy, before download/installation. All downloads should be performed from official/trustworthy sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and bundled content, since they are untrusted.

Treat download and installation processes with caution. Read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, functions and other additions. Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious pages (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

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

Files related to the NetGuideSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.NetGuideSearch/NetGuideSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.NetGuideSearchDaemon/NetGuideSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.NetGuideSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.NetGuideSearchDaemon.plist

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

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

NetGuideSearch adware removal:

Remove NetGuideSearch-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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