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How to get rid of the ResultsTechGuide adware?

Also Known As: Ads by ResultsTechGuide
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is ResultsTechGuide adware?

ResultsTechGuide adware is a piece of software that displays advertisements and promotes a fake search by hijacking a web browser. Typically, users download and install such applications inadvertently. Thus, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

ResultsTechGuide adware

ResultsTechGuide adware in detail

Usually, applications like ResultsTechGuide display advertisements through banners, surveys, pop-ups, coupons, etc. It is noteworthy that ads generated by adware can be annoying and designed to open shady websites or download (or even install) PUAs. Either way, it is not recommended to trust advertisements that appear because of installed adware.

It is important to know that ads generated by adware can open websites designed to trick users into providing sensitive information or downloading (and installing) potentially malicious software. For example, "We Have Detected A Potential Risk Of Unsecured Connection", "Receive iPhone 12", and "Apple Platform Security".

As mentioned in the first paragraph, ResultsTechGuide has qualities of both adware and a browser hijacker. It changes the default homepage (and a new tab URL) and search engine of a web browser - it replaces them with the address of a fake search engine. Pretty often, fake search engines show results generated by Yahoo, Google, or Bing.

Although, fake search engines can generate misleading results or show result generates by other untrustworthy search engines. Instructions on how to remove undesired search engines from affected browsers (and get rid of browser hijackers) are provided below.

Another detail about apps like ResultsTechGuide is that they can be designed to collect entered search queries, IP addresses, visited websites, and other information related to users' browsing activity. They can also be designed to gather sensitive information (for example, credit card details and passwords).

It is strongly recommended not to have PUAs that gather information installed on browsers or computers. Collected data could be misused to hijack email, social media, and other accounts, steal identities, make unauthorized purchases. Also, it could be sold to third parties and (or) misused for marketing purposes.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by ResultsTechGuide
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 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

To summarize, ResultsTechGuide functions as adware and a browser hijacker. It is highly likely that it collects various data as well. Another reason not to trust this app is that it is distributed using a deceptive method. More adware examples are MicroLauncher, WebKey, and LookupDisplay.

How did ResultsTechGuide install on my computer?

It is known that ResultsTechGuide is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer that is promoted on a deceptive website. Usually, fake Adobe Flash Player installers are promoted on websites suggesting that the installed Flash Player is out of data. It is important to know that fake installers can be malicious.

In other cases, PUAs are distributed via downloaders and installers for other (usually, free) programs. PUAs get installed (or downloaded) when users do not deselect optional downloads or installations by unticking checkboxes or do not change "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced", or other settings that those downloaders, installers have.

Also, PUAs can be distributed through deceptive advertisements. Users download or install PUAs by clicking on ads designed to execute certain scripts. As a rule, untrustworthy advertisements appear on shady websites or through installed adware.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended not to trust advertisements displayed on questionable websites. Those ads might be designed to run certain scripts that would download or install unwanted apps. Also, they may open other shady websites. Files, programs should be downloaded from official websites and via direct links. It is advisable not to trust other sources.

Examples of unreliable sources for downloading files (or programs) are third-party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, free file hosting pages. It is strongly recommended not to use third-party installers as well. Downloaders and installers that have some settings should be examined.

It is common for downloaders and installers that have "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other settings or ticked checkboxes to be bundled with potentially unwanted applications. Unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins already installed on a browser should be removed.

Any unwanted programs that a computer has installed on it should be uninstalled too. If your computer is already infected with ResultsTechGuide, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

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

  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.ResultsTechGuide/ResultsTechGuide
  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.ResultsTechGuideDaemon/ResultsTechGuide
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ResultsTechGuide.plist
  • ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ResultsTechGuideDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the ResultsTechGuide 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".

Remove malicious profiles added by ResultsTechGuide (step 1)

2) Locate all suspicious profiles and delete them.

Remove malicious profiles added by ResultsTechGuide (step 2)

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:

Video showing how to remove ResultsTechGuide adware using Combo Cleaner:

ResultsTechGuide adware removal:

Remove ResultsTechGuide-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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