How to uninstall MainSearchBoard adware from the operating system?

What is MainSearchBoard?

MainSearchBoard is an adware-type application with browser hijacker features. This app operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns and promoting fake search engines through modifications to browser settings. MainSearchBoard likely has data tracking abilities as well.

Since most users unintentionally download/install adware and browser hijackers, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). MainSearchBoard has been observed being proliferated via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. Fraudulent updaters/installers are notorious for spreading PUAs and malware.

MainSearchBoard adware in detail

Adware can deliver various banners, pop-ups, coupons, surveys, full-page, and other intrusive ads. This graphical content can be displayed on any visited website and/or different interfaces. The advertisements severely diminish the browsing experience by overlaying webpages and slowing down the browsing speed.

In addition to being a nuisance, intrusive adverts pose a threat to device/user safety. They promote various untrustworthy and even malicious sites. What is more, some of these ads can infiltrate software (e.g., PUAs) into systems - when they are clicked on.

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address. Illegitimate search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other genuine ones.

Browser hijackers can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers. Alternatively, they can restrict or deny access to the browser settings outright. Hence, it is impossible to restore a hijacked browser without removing the software affecting it.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers) can track data. Information of interest includes: browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. 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 lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user privacy, it is crucial to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by MainSearchBoard
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
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

WebBoostSeach, LogarithmicList, and DominantFormula are a couple examples of adware-type applications. They appear legitimate and harmless. Users are lured into download/installation with promises of "useful" functionalities, which are typically nonoperational.

The sole purpose of PUAs is to generate revenue for the developers. Hence, most unwanted apps advertise nonexistent features as bait. PUAs operate by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijacking browsers, causing redirects, and collecting sensitive data.

How did MainSearchBoard install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via download/installation setups of other software. This deceptive marketing technique of packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed downloads/installations (e.g., skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements are used to spread PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. Some PUAs also have "official" promotional sites from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Only official and verified download channels must be used. Dubious sources, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive ads appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to various questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so forth).

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

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

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.MainSearchBoard/MainSearchBoard
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.MainSearchBoardDaemon/MainSearchBoard
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.MainSearchBoard.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.MainSearchBoardDaemon.plist

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

Video showing how to remove MainSearchBoard adware using Combo Cleaner:

MainSearchBoard adware removal:

Remove MainSearchBoard-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.

▼ Show Discussion