How to uninstall QuicklookPI adware from your operating system?

What is QuicklookPI?

QuicklookPI is a rogue application classified as adware. This app has been observed being distributed alongside other adware and browser hijackers, notably, SearchUp. Adware operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e., delivering various ads.

Browser hijackers promote (by causing redirects to) fake search engines through modifications to browser settings. Additionally, software within these classifications typically has data tracking abilities, which are employed to spy on users' browsing habits.

Since most users download/install QuicklookPI unintentionally, it is also categorized as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).

Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. This software can deliver pop-ups, banners, coupons, full-page, and other intrusive advertisements. They seriously diminish the browsing experience by limiting webpage visibility and browsing speed.

Furthermore, these adverts are deemed to be dangerous. Once clicked on, intrusive ads redirect to untrustworthy/malicious sites, and some can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and homepage URLs - to fake web searcher addresses.

Hence, with such a piece of software installed: every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - redirect to the address of the promoted search engine.

Illegitimate web searchers usually cannot generate search results, so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other genuine search engines. Browser hijackers can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers.

Alternatively, they can restrict or deny access to the browser settings. Therefore, restoring a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it. As mentioned in the introduction, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data.

They monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect sensitive information inferred from it (IP addresses, geolocations, and personally identifiable details). The gathered data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices - can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by QuicklookPI
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
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.

SearchForWords, UnitHandler, PublicConsoleSearch, and ValidBoost are some examples of adware-type apps. They often appear legitimate and offer various "useful" functionalities. However, the features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all. In fact, this is true of practically all PUAs.

The only goal of unwanted software is to generate profit at user expense. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects, and gather private data.

How did QuicklookPI install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via download/installation setups of other programs. This false marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling".

Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., skipped steps and sections, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements are also used to spread PUAs.

Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. Select PUAs have "official" download webpages as well.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software products before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, only official and verified download channels must be used.

Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, functions, and other additions.

Intrusive adverts appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly questionable pages (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, and so on).

In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it.

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

QuicklookPI adware in the Automation settings:

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

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

QuicklookPI adware removal:

Remove QuicklookPI-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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