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How to uninstall DiscoverResults adware

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

What is DiscoverResults?

DiscoverResults is rogue software classified as adware. This application runs intrusive advertisement campaigns and possesses browser hijacker characteristics such as browser settings modification and promotion of fake search engines. Additionally, most adware infections and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, and this is likely to be the case with DiscoverResults.

Due to the dubious techniques used to spread this app, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA). One of the methods observed in the distribution of DiscoverResults is via bogus Adobe Flash Player updates. Note that, as well as PUAs, fake updaters/installers also proliferate Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

DiscoverResults adware distributed via fake Flash Player updater/installer

Adware enables the placement of intrusive advertisements (e.g. pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, etc.) on any visited website. These ads limit web page visibility and browsing speed. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience, however, intrusive ads are more than just a nuisance.

When clicked, they can redirect to untrusted/malicious sites and some can even execute scripts to download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs) without users' consent. Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, each search query typed into the URL bar and each new browser tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address. Furthermore, few bogus search engines can generate unique results, and so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine sites.

Recovering a hijacked browser without eliminating the software affecting it is impossible, since any changes users attempt to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the browser settings is allowed at all. As mentioned, most PUAs can track data.

They can record browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data can be particularly sensitive and, furthermore, PUA developers often share it with and/or sell it to third parties.

Therefore, the presence of these unwanted apps on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and identity theft. To protect device and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by DiscoverResults
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 may seem legitimate and harmless, and users are often tempted into download/installation with offers of "useful" functionalities, however, the advertised features are rarely operational. In fact, this applies to most PUAs. These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate profit at users' expense.

Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, modify browsers, cause redirects and collect private data. MapperObjectInetWebSearchIdeaReference, and SearchLetters are examples of some apps within this classification

How did DiscoverResults install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated through the download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content into the system.

Some PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive ads 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 strongly advised to research all software and only download from official/verified sources. Untrusted download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

Treat download and installation processes with caution. Read the terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive ads may seem normal, however, they can redirect to dubious sites (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling, and so on).

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

Files related to DiscoverResults adware that need to be removed:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.DiscoverResults/DiscoverResults
  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.DiscoverResultsDaemon/DiscoverResults
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.DiscoverResults.plist
  • ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.DiscoverResultsDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote DiscoverResults 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 DiscoverResults (Step 1)

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

Remove rogue profiles designed to promote DiscoverResults (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.

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:

DiscoverResults adware removal:

Remove DiscoverResults-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.

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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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