How to uninstall SimpleSignSearch adware

What is SimpleSignSearch?

SimpleSignSearch generates revenue for its developer by serving advertisements and promoting a fake search engine. In this way, it functions as adware and a browser hijacker. Apps of this type can also collect data relating to internet browsing activities.

Typically, users download and install apps such as SimpleSignSearch inadvertently and, therefore, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Note that SimpleSignSearch installs through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.

Usually, apps such as SimpleSignSearch generate ads used to promote dubious websites (e.g., download pages for PUAs, various scams). In some cases, their ads are used to distribute PUAs by designing them to run certain scripts.

You are strongly advisable not to click ads that appear due to installed adware (in this case, SimpleSignSearch). Some examples of ads that adware-type apps generate are banners, coupons, surveys, and pop-up ads.

Furthermore, SimpleSignSearch promotes a fake search engine address. Generally, apps of this type achieve this by changing browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.

Fake search engines often show results generated by legitimate search engines (e.g., Google, Yahoo), however, they can sometimes show results that include links to potentially malicious pages and dubious advertisements. Fake search engines might also show results from other untrusted search engines. Fake search engine can be removed from hijacked browsers only when the app responsible is no longer installed.

As mentioned, apps such as SimpleSignSearch can collect browsing-related information. For example, IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, and geolocations. Some adware-type apps can access sensitive information as well (e.g., passwords, credit card details).

Therefore, users of apps such as SimpleSignSearch might encounter problems relating to online privacy and browsing safety, and they could become victims of identity theft, lose access to personal accounts, etc.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SimpleSignSearch
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.AD), 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.

There are many apps similar to SimpleSignSearch. Some examples are TechResultsSearch, UniversalToolSearch, and SkilledPanelSearch.

Do not to have these apps installed on browsers or computers, even if developers advertise them as legitimate, useful applications.

SkilledPanelSearch and similar apps are usually downloaded and installed unintentionally.

How did SimpleSignSearch install on my computer?

Research shows that SimpleSignSearch is distributed via a fake installer that appears similar to the installer for Adobe Flash Player. These deceptive installers can be used to distribute ransomware, Trojans, and other malware.

Browser hijackers, adware-type apps, and other types of PUAs are commonly distributed by integrating them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other programs, so that a proportion of users inadvertently download and install them together with their chosen software. This distribution method is known as "bundling".

Offers to download and install additionally-included apps usually appear in "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of the set-ups (where they can usually be declined). Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed by default.

In addition, unwanted downloads and installations are sometimes caused by clicking deceptive advertisements capable of executing certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download files and programs from official websites and via direct download links. Other tools and sources such as third party downloaders and installers, unofficial pages, and Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients) should not be used to download or install software.

Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings (or available checkboxes) for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Do not click ads on dubious websites, since they can be designed to open bogus web pages or cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and software of this kind from the operating system.

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

Files related to SimpleSignSearch adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SimpleSignSearch/SimpleSignSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.SimpleSignSearchDaemon/SimpleSignSearch
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SimpleSignSearch.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SimpleSignSearchDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove SimpleSignSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:

SimpleSignSearch adware removal:

Remove SimpleSignSearch-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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