How to remove TotalResults adware and the advertisements it displays
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is TotalResults?
While inspecting the contents of a fake Adobe Flash Player installer, our researchers discovered the TotalResults rogue application. After analyzing this app, we determined that it is adware belonging to the AdLoad malware family.
TotalResults adware overview
Adware operates by enabling the placement of advertisements on visited sites and/or other interfaces. The ads promote untrustworthy/harmful websites and software, online scams, and malware. Some intrusive adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent - once clicked.
It is pertinent to mention that while genuine products can be encountered through these advertisements, they are highly unlikely to be promoted by their actual developers. Instead, this endorsement is undertaken by scammers abusing the products' affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.
It is noteworthy that advertising-supported software might not deliver ads if certain conditions are unsuitable (e.g., incompatible browser/system specs, specific websites are not visited, etc.). However, regardless of whether TotalResults displays advertisements - its presence endangers device/user safety.
Furthermore, TotalResults may have browser hijacker qualities as they are common for AdLoad adware. However, this application did not exhibit any during our analysis.
What is more, TotalResults likely has data tracking functionalities. Advertising-supported software usually collects visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, finance-related information, and so on. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of software like TotalResults on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by TotalResults |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.Generic.3040881), 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. |
Adware examples
We have analyzed thousands of adware samples; LevelNight, VantageAdvisor, TelevisionReproduce - are merely a few of our newest finds. This software typically looks harmless and promises "useful" features. However, these functions tend to be utterly nonoperational.
How did TotalResults install on my computer?
TotalResults was installed onto our test system by a fake Adobe Flash Player installer/updater. However, adware is spread by intrusive advertisements as well. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
It is also proliferated using the "bundling" technique - pre-packing ordinary programs with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from dubious channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
Additionally, advertising-supported software can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed through scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects caused by websites that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware (capable of force-opening browsers).
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/trustworthy sources. Additionally, installation must be treated with care. Hence, it is important to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all supplements.
We advise being vigilant when browsing - as fraudulent and malicious content usually appears innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements look ordinary and harmless, yet they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
Should you experience ads and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with TotalResults, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to the TotalResults adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.TotalResults/TotalResults
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.TotalResultsDaemon/TotalResults
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.TotalResults.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.TotalResultsDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the TotalResults 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 TotalResults?
- STEP 1. Remove TotalResults related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove TotalResults ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove TotalResults adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove TotalResults ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove TotalResults adware using Combo Cleaner:
TotalResults adware removal:
Remove TotalResults-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 decrease browsing quality and system performance. It delivers advertisements that endorse harmful content, which can cause serious problems (e.g., system infections, privacy issues, financial losses, etc.). Additionally, this software often has data tracking abilities, and they pose a threat to user privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. Its primary function is to display adverts on visited websites and/or different interfaces. However, adware may also be capable of force-opening sites and gathering private data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most of the profit is made via affiliate programs by promoting a wide variety of content. Adware developers might earn commission from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove TotalResults adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected adware-type apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution. Since even after the adware has been (manually) removed - various files can remain hidden within the system. What is more, such components may continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is paramount to remove advertising-supported software thoroughly.
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