How to remove SearchMaster adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is SearchMaster?
SearchMaster is designed to display various advertisements and hijack a web browser by changing some of its settings. This app has the qualities of advertising-supported and browser-hijacking software. It is distributed via a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Thus, users would not install SearchMaster knowingly.
SearchMaster adware in detail
Advertisements (for example, pop-ups, banners, coupons) generated by SearchMaster could open websites urging users to install potentially malicious apps (PUAs), provide sensitive information like credit card details, passwords, and other untrustworthy sites. Those ads also could run certain scripts and download (or even install) PUAs.
Another reason not to trust SearchMaster is that it replaces the search engine, homepage, and new tab page with a fake search engine. Moreover, it prevents users from removing that search engine (its address). Fake search engines can generate misleading results and (or) show results generated by untrustworthy search engines.
| Name | Ads by SearchMaster |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.24516), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), 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. |
SearchMaster in general
SearchMaster is a useless app designed to deliver ads and promote a fake search engine. In most cases, users install adware (and browser hijackers) unknowingly. Software of this type can be designed to collect personal information. Either way, it cannot be trusted. More adware examples are SprintSolution, UnitNetwork, and AddSystem.
How did SearchMaster install on my computer?
SearchMaster is distributed via a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Most fake installers are promoted using deceptive methods (for example, pages suggesting that installed software is out of date or a computer is infected). It is also common for adware to be bundled with other software.
In the second case, users download or install adware together with other software when they do not change "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings before finishing downloads or installations. Those settings can be found in downloaders and installers used to distribute PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download files and programs from legitimate sources such as official web pages. Avoid using third-party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks and similar sources for downloading any software (or files). Always check downloaders and installers for optional downloads and installations, and deselect the unwanted ones.
Avoid clicking on advertisements that questionable websites have on them. If your computer is already infected with SearchMaster, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to the SearchMaster adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchMaster/SearchMaster
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchMasterDaemon/SearchMaster
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SearchMaster.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SearchMasterDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the SearchMaster adware 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 SearchMaster?
- STEP 1. Remove SearchMaster related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SearchMaster ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SearchMaster adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SearchMaster ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SearchMaster adware using Combo Cleaner:
SearchMaster adware removal:
Remove SearchMaster-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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can be the reason behind diminished web browsing experience, slow computer performance. If clicked, ads displayed by present adware could cause unwanted downloads, installations.
What does adware do?
Adware delivers intrusive advertisements, for example, pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
A big part of them monetizes adware through various affiliate programs. They promote services, products, websites, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner remove SearchMaster adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate SearchMaster. Adware should be removed using specialized software (automatically). Manual removal does not always work because some of the adware components/file leftovers remain hiding and running in the operating system even after the removal.
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