How to uninstall GuideRecord adware

What is GuideRecord?

GuideRecord serves advertisements, modifies browser settings and possibly collects browsing details (and other) data. Therefore, this app functions as adware and as a browser hijacker. People mostly download and install apps such as GuideRecord inadvertently and, therefore, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Note that GuideRecord is distributed by disguising its installer as the installer for Adobe Flash Player.

Some examples of ads that applications such as GuideRecord serve include banners, coupons, surveys, and pop-ups. Note that these ads can promote (open) dubious websites and, in some cases, start download/installation of PUAs by executing certain scripts.

GuideRecord functions as an adware-type app and also as a browser hijacker - it assigns browser settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to the address of a fake search engine. Typically, fake search engines provide results generated by other (usually legitimate) search engines, however, sometimes they generate results that can include links to potentially malicious sites.

Typically, addresses of fake search engines can be removed from browser settings only when the browser hijackers that promote them are no longer installed on the browsers.

Additionally, it is likely that GuideRecord collects details relating to users' browsing activities. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites or even more personal, sensitive details. In such cases, developers might sell recorded data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or they could misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.

Users might then become victims of identity theft, experience problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and encounter other issues.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by GuideRecord
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ACH), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ACH), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.m), 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.

CleanParameter and TrustedAnalog are examples of apps that are similar to GuideRecord. Usually, ad-supported apps generate revenue for developers by deploying advertisements, however, they commonly promote fake search engines and gather data as well.

To summarize, apps such as GuideRecord are useless to regular users and should never be downloaded or installed.

How did GuideRecord install on my computer?

GuideRecord is distributed via a deceptive installer, which has similar appearance to the installer for Adobe Flash Player. Commonly, these bogus installers are used to distribute PUAs and malicious software such as Trojans, ransomware.

Sometimes, users inadvertently download and install unwanted apps via deceptive advertisements - they click ads that cause unwanted download/installations by executing certain scripts.

Unwanted downloads and installations also occur during download/installation of other programs. I.e., when PUAs are included into the set-ups as 'extra offers'. This PUA distribution method of PUAs is called "bundling".

Typically, offers to download and install these additional apps can be declined via "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings, or by unticking certain checkboxes within the set-ups. When users download and install programs without making these checks and changes, they often allow PUAs to infiltrate.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind.

Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser. The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.

If your computer is already infected with GuideRecord, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed when GuideRecord adware is installed:

Text presented in this pop-up:

"GuideRecordd" will damage your computer.

This file was downloaded on an unknown date.

 

OK

Show in Finder

Fake/deceptive installer used to distribute GuideRecord (first installation step):

Fake/deceptive installer used to distribute GuideRecord (second installation step):

Files related to GuideRecord adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.GuideRecord.service.app
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.GuideRecord.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.GuideRecord.system
• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.GuideRecord.system.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases malicious applications like TrustedAnalog alter system proxy settings, thereby causing unwanted redirects to a variety of dubious websites.

The redirects are likely to remain even after removing the application itself. Thus, you must restore them manually.

Step 1: Click on the gear icon in the Dock to navigate to the system settings. If the icon is not present in the Dock, you can find it in the Launchpad.

Step 2: Navigate to the Network settings.

Step 3: Select the connected network and click "Advanced...".

Step 4: Click on the "Proxies" tab and untick all the protocols. You should also set the settings of each protocol to default - "*.local, 169.254/16".

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

Video showing how to remove GuideRecord adware using Combo Cleaner:

GuideRecord adware removal:

Remove GuideRecord-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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