How to get rid of the ResultsTechGuide adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
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 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.
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. |
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".
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 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 ResultsTechGuide?
- STEP 1. Remove ResultsTechGuide related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ResultsTechGuide ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ResultsTechGuide adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ResultsTechGuide ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove ResultsTechGuide adware using Combo Cleaner:
ResultsTechGuide adware removal:
Remove ResultsTechGuide-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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