How to uninstall AdvancedNetworkSearch adware

What is AdvancedNetworkSearch?

AdvancedNetworkSearch is rogue software classified as adware. Additionally, this application has browser hijacker traits. Following successful installation, it runs intrusive advertisement campaigns and makes modifications to browser settings to promote fake search engines.

Additionally, most adware-type apps and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity. Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate these apps, they are also classified as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). One of the dubious methods employed to proliferate AdvancedNetworkSearch is distribution via fake Adobe Flash Player updates.

As well as PUAs, bogus software updaters/installers are used to spread Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons and other intrusive advertisements, typically on any visited website. The delivered ads diminish the browsing experience, as they overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. Furthermore, these ads are more than just a nuisance, they also pose a threat to device/user safety.

When clicked, intrusive advertisements can redirect to various untrusted/malicious websites and some can even stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address. Rogue search engines are rarely able to provide search results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Bing, Google and other genuine sites.

Browser hijackers can undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers and/or limit/deny access to the browser settings outright. Therefore, recovering an affected browser is impossible without removing the software hijacking it. Furthermore, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities.

They monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, web pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by AdvancedNetworkSearch
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Rload.5), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.l), 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.

PracticalConfig, ConsumerSurvey, InputBalance and TotalProjectSearch are some examples of other adware-type applications. They may seem legitimate and typically offer a wide variety of "useful" features, however, despite how good the functions promised may sound, they are seldom operational.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. The sole purpose of these unwanted apps is to generate profit for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs can run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect private data.

How did AdvancedNetworkSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and settings, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.

Some PUAs have "official" download sites. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software before download/installation or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources, since dubious channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to various dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others).

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

Files related to AdvancedNetworkSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.AdvancedNetworkSearch/AdvancedNetworkSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.AdvancedNetworkSearchDaemon/AdvancedNetworkSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.AdvancedNetworkSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AdvancedNetworkSearchDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove AdvancedNetworkSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

AdvancedNetworkSearch adware removal:

Remove AdvancedNetworkSearch-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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