How to uninstall DigitalSearchApp adware from the operating system?

What is DigitalSearchApp?

DigitalSearchApp is an adware-type application with browser hijacker qualities. It operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns and promoting fake search engines through modifications to browser settings. Additionally, adware and browser hijackers usually have data tracking abilities.

Due to the dubious methods used to distribute DigitalSearchApp, it is categorized as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application). One of the methods used to proliferate this app is distribution via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. It is noteworthy that fake updaters/installers spread not only PUAs but also malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, etc.).

DigitalSearchApp adware in detail

Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. This software can deliver pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners, and other intrusive ads. They severely diminish the browsing experience by overlaying webpage content and slowing down the browsing speed.

Furthermore, intrusive adverts pose a threat to device and user safety. They endorse various sale-oriented, rogue, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious sites. Some of these advertisements can even be triggered (by being clicked) to stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Hence, with such a piece of software installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other genuine ones. Browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, restoring a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it.

DigitalSearchApp likely has data tracking abilities, as that is standard for adware and browser hijackers. Targeted information includes: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. It is strongly advised to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by DigitalSearchApp
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), Cyren (MacOS/Adload.A.gen!Camelot), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.A), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.l), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to 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.

Adware in general

SectionAssist, AccessDefault, OriginalSearchTech, ExtendedTransaction, and OnlineExplorer are some examples of adware. This software appears legitimate and harmless. Adware also offers a wide variety of "handy" features, which are seldom operational.

In fact, nearly all PUAs use fake functionalities to entice users into download/installation and/or purchase. The only aim of unwanted apps is to generate profit at user expense. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can run intrusive advert campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects, and collect private data.

How did DigitalSearchApp install on my computer?

PUAs are spread via downloaders/installers of other software. This false marketing tactic of packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements are also used to proliferate PUAs. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Some PUAs may have "official" promotional webpages from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software prior to download/installation. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, functions, and so on. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate; however, they redirect to highly dubious websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such adverts and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with DigitalSearchApp, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to the DigitalSearchApp adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.DigitalSearchApp/DigitalSearchApp
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.DigitalSearchAppDaemon/DigitalSearchApp
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.DigitalSearchApp.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.DigitalSearchAppDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the DigitalSearchApp website 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 (Dock) and select "Profiles".

2) Locate all suspicious profiles and delete them.

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

Video showing how to remove DigitalSearchApp adware using Combo Cleaner:

DigitalSearchApp adware removal:

Remove DigitalSearchApp-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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