How to remove AdditionalLookupEngine from Mac
Complete guide to delete AdditionalLookupEngine
AdditionalLookupEngine is a rogue application categorized as adware. It also has browser hijacker’s characteristic. This app delivers various intrusive ads and modifies browsers’ settings to promote address of a fake search engine. It also has dangerous data tracking capability.
Because of dubious methods used for the distribution, the application is also called potentially unwanted app. The most common distribution practice for this malware spread is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates.
Adware-type app enables the placement of third party graphical content on any visited websites. These ads appear in any forms including pop-ups, banners, coupons, and surveys, full-page and other intrusive ads. These ads appear to be just nuisance.
However, they severely diminish the web browsing experience and endanger the device/ user safety. The adverts slow down the browsing speed. They endorse various sale-based, untrustworthy, deceptive/ scam and malicious sites. Some of them might cause unwanted downloads by running malicious scripts.
Browser hijacker type applications alter browsers’ settings and replace browsers’ homepage, new tab page and search engine options with the address of some fake web search engine. Users visit this website all the time when they open their browsing tab and enter any queries on the URL search bar.
Fake search engines are not capable of displaying search results and so they tend to redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo or other legitimate ones. Browser hijackers can restrict/ deny access to browsers’ settings and/or reset the permitted changes made. Thus, restoration of the browsers’ settings is not possible without its removal.
Furthermore, most PUAs, including adware and browser hijacker can track browsing based data. The data of their interest include IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited and etc. These data could be shared with and/or sold to third parties/ potent crooks.
In summary, the presence of the unwanted app on system can result in system infections, financial loss, severe privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect the device integrity and personal safety, all suspicious apps and browser extensions should be removed immediately upon detection.
How did AdditionalLookupEngine enter my system?
PUAs can be distributed through the download/ installation setups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of packing one app with unwanted and malicious one is termed as software bundling. Rushed downloads/ installations often increase the risk of inadvertent installation of unwanted apps.
Intrusive ads can sometimes be used to spread PUAs. Upon being clicked, these ads can execute certain scripts to make download/ installation of these apps without users’ consent. Some of PUAs have official promotional webpages from where they can be downloaded and/or purchased.
How to prevent PUAs installation?
Only official and verified downloading channels should be used. Untrustworthy channels such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p networks and other third-party downloaders commonly offer dubious and/or bundled content.
Download/ installation processes should have to be approached with caution. You require reading all terms, studying possible option, using Custom/Advanced settings and opting out all additionally attached apps, tools, functions and so on.
Intrusive ads can appear ordinary. However, they redirect to highly questionable websites such as gambling, adult dating and pornography. In case you encounter any such ads/ redirects, investigate the system for all suspicious apps and browser extensions and perform their immediate removal.
Special Offer (For Macintosh)
AdditionalLookupEngine can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful antimalware scanner to help you getting rid of this virus
Remove Files and Folders Related to AdditionalLookupEngine
Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”
Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder
Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option
In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.
Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder
In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”
Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.
Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:
Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents
You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.
Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware
Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option
In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.
Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC
The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.
Special Offer (For Macintosh)
AdditionalLookupEngine can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful antimalware scanner to help you getting rid of this virus
Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.
A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.
Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.
Remove AdditionalLookupEngine from Internet Browsers
Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari
Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”
In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.
In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.
“Reset Safari”
Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.
Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser
Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.
Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.
Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“
Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.
Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.
Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox
Delete AdditionalLookupEngine add-ons from Mozilla Firefox
Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.
Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.
In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.
Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings
Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.
In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”
In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.
Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option
The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default
Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome
Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.
In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.
Reset Google Chrome Settings
Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.
Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.
In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”
Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window
Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied
The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.
Special Offer (For Macintosh)
AdditionalLookupEngine can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful antimalware scanner to help you getting rid of this virus
Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to AdditionalLookupEngine. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.
