How to remove ResultsSearchTool adware

What is ResultsSearchTool?

ResultsSearchTool promotes a fake search engine by changing browser settings. It also displays advertisements. Therefore, this app functions both as adware and a browser hijacker.

Commonly, apps of this type collect browsing-related and other data. Note that ResultsSearchTool is distributed through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer, and is therefore often installed without users' consent.

Some examples of ads that ResultsSearchTool and similar apps display are coupons, banners, pop-ups, and surveys. These ads usually open dubious pages and, in some cases, cause unwanted downloads and installations by executing certain scripts.

ResultsSearchTool changes browser settings such as the address of the homepage, new tab, and default search engine to the address of a fake search engine. Typically, such changes cannot be undone, unless the app that made them is uninstalled (in this case, ResultsSearchTool).

Note that these search engines are classified as fake, since they do not generate unique results - they simply display those generated by other search engines. They can also display misleading results (advertise dubious sites).

Adware-type apps and browser hijackers often gather details relating to users' browsing activities (e.g., addresses of visited web pages, entered search queries, geolocations, IP addresses). Some are capable of accessing sensitive, personal information as well.

Furthermore, the collected data is misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways. To avoid identity theft, problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety and other issues, do not trust, download, or install ResultsSearchTool or other apps of this type.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ResultsSearchTool
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.

SearchArchive, SearchStudio, and DiscoverResults are some of examples of other apps very similar to ResultsSearchTool.

Most are advertised as useful and legitimate - they supposedly include various features, improve the browsing experience, etc. In fact, they simply enable the developers to generate revenue and can cause serious issues. Remove all PUAs from the browser and operating system immediately.

How did ResultsSearchTool install on my computer?

People who use  deceptive Adobe Flash Player installers end up installing ResultsSearchTool rather than any official software. These installers are used to distribute PUAs and even malicious software like ransomware, Trojans, etc. PUAs are often installed through the set-ups of other programs, when they are included as 'additional offers'.

This distribution method is known as "bundling". Typically, offers to download and install unwanted apps are mentioned in "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" or other settings. When users download and install programs without checking and changing these settings, they agree by default with offers to download and install PUAs.

Additionally, these unwanted downloads and installations can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

The safest way to download software is using official, trustworthy websites and direct links. Third party downloaders and installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites and other similar channels/sources are often monetized by distributing unwanted, potentially malicious apps.

Check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings and decline offers to download or install unwanted software before completing the process. Do not trust intrusive ads that appear on dubious web pages - when clicked, they can open potentially malicious websites or even execute scripts designed to download and install unwanted software.

Remove all unwanted apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) installed on the browser and programs of this kind installed on the operating system immediately. If your computer is already infected with ResultsSearchTool, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to ResultsSearchTool adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.ResultsSearchTool/ResultsSearchTool
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.ResultsSearchToolDaemon/ResultsSearchTool
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ResultsSearchTool.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ResultsSearchToolDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote ResultsSearchTool 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 "ResultsSearchTool" 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/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:

• What is ResultsSearchTool?
• STEP 1. Remove ResultsSearchTool related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove ResultsSearchTool ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove ResultsSearchTool adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove ResultsSearchTool ads from Mozilla Firefox.

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

ResultsSearchTool adware removal:

Remove ResultsSearchTool-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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