How to uninstall EngageSearch adware from the operating system

What is EngageSearch?

EngageSearch is an adware-type application with browser hijacker traits. This app is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns, make modifications to browsers and promote fake search engines. EngageSearch promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net in this manner.

Most software within the adware and browser hijacker categories has data tracking capabilities, which are used to monitor users' browsing activity. Additionally, due to the dubious methods employed to proliferate EngageSearch, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware operates by enabling the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page and other intrusive advertisements typically, on any visited website. These ads significantly diminish the browsing experience, since they limit browsing speed and web page visibility.

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

Therefore, with this software installed, new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches made via the URL bar redirect to the promoted address.

EngageSearch promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net in this manner. Fake search engines are usually unable to generate search results, and so they redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites.

Browser hijackers can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers, or they might restrict/deny access to the settings outright. As mentioned, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data, and it is highly likely that EngageSearch has such capabilities as well.

These unwanted apps can monitor browsing activity and collect personal data extracted from it. Information of interest includes visited URLs, viewed pages, typed search queries, IP addresses, geolocations and other sensitive details. PUA developers often monetize this vulnerable information by sharing it with and/or selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

Therefore, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by EngageSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.5), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), 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.

BinarySignSearch, DynamicAnalog and FunctionRecord are some examples of other adware-type apps. This software may seem legitimate and useful, and people are often enticed into download/installation with offers of various functionality. In fact, the advertised features are seldom operational, and this information is true of most PUAs.

The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, force-open untrusted and malicious web pages, hijack browsers and gather private information.

How did EngageSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated through the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

Rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system. Some PUAs have "official" download pages. Once clicked, intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. 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 commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

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

If you encounter ads/redirects of this type, inspect all devices and immediately remove any dubious applications and browser executions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with EngageSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once EngageSearch installation is complete:

EngageSearch redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

EngageSearch adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove EngageSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

EngageSearch adware removal:

Remove EngageSearch-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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