How to remove SocratesResults adware from Mac PC

Simple steps to delete SocratesResults frequently

According to expert point of view, SocratesResults is described as rogue applications that operates by showing unwanted or annoying advertisements, modifying browser settings and promote fake search engines. It is able to infect all versions of Windows system and mostly used web browser without having your approval. However, many people do not visit such types of sites intentionally and most of times they get redirected by potentially unwanted applications that are already present into their browser as well as on their operating system. Further, most adware and browser hijackers have ability to track data that are used to spy on users browsing activity.

More about SocratesResults

Additionally, this nasty and irritating computer infection has been classified as adware. This deceptive PC threat will flood your desktop screen with lots of unwanted and annoying pop-up ads, banners, deals, discounts, offers and other similar adverts. Those ads keep redirecting your browser on unknown websites and completely degrade your web browsing experience in order to click on such ads. On the other hand, it can also work with all famous and mostly used web browsers like Google chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari and many others. After intrusion, browser hijackers make several unwanted modifications to your system and browser settings like default homepage, search engine and new tab URL to the addresses of illegitimate web searchers. Simply said, this nasty malware is created by hackers with an aim to make illegal profit.

The worst part of these PUAs is that it can track your browsing history and online activities in order to steal your personal and financial information. It will gather your browsing preferences and spy on your online activities to fulfill its evil intentions. The collected details will in form of IP addresses, pages viewed, geo-location, entered search queries, bank account details and many more. Afterwards, developers will share all those gathered details with third parties who misuse it in order to make illegal profit as much as possible. In short, presence of unwanted apps on system might causes several problems related to privacy issues, financial losses, browsing safety and even lead to identity theft. So, to avoid all such critical issues, it is important to remove SocratesResults and all suspicious apps immediately from the computer without delay.

Intrusion tactics of SocratesResults:

As you know, PUAs gets downloaded and installed into your computer without having your permission. Developers behind this use several deceptive methods to infiltrate this virus into your computer. The most common and effective methods used by them are bundles of free software programs, suspicious websites, harmful hyperlinks, porn or torrent sites and many other social engineering methods. After successful intrusion, it will disable your antivirus and firewall programs to avoid its removal. This dubious virus can also introduce other nasty threats and malware on your PC. Due to this, you are advised to be very careful while downloading and installing any software as well as browsing internet.

How to avoid installation of PUAs?

It is very much important to research about content before downloading or installing it. To download any programs, use only official websites and through direct links. Other unreliable channels like third party downloader, unofficial pages, peer to peer sharing networks and other similar channels should not be used as it can be used to distribute malware. While installing any program, it is important to read terms and agreements carefully, study all possible options, choose custom or advance settings that are available in software setups. Furthermore, it is advised not to click on intrusive ads as they redirect users to unreliable websites related to adult dating, gambling and so on. In case, if you encounter such redirects, then you are advised to remove all suspicious applications immediately.

Remove SocratesResults

In order to remove SocratesResults and all infiltrated adware from your computer then you are advised to go through given below removal instructions. In this article two processes have been described below namely manual and automatic.  Manual removal threat is hectic and time-consuming. So, we suggest our user to use some reliable anti-malware removal tool such as Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS that has the ability to eliminate all adware immediately.

Threat specification

Name: SocratesResults

Type: Adware, PUP, Mac malware, Mac virus

Distribution methods: bundled packages, spam emails, illegal patches, corrupted websites, pirated software and many more.

Description: show unwanted pop-up ads, infect your browser and redirect your browser on malicious and even phishing websites.

Symptoms: lots of third party ads, forced browser redirection on low quality sites, new pages ads and so on.

Damage: displaying unwanted ads, internet browsing tracking (possibly privacy issues), loss of private information and redirect to dubious websites.

Removal: In order to remove SocratesResults, you are advised to go through given below removal instructions.

Remove Files and Folders Related to SocratesResults

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”.

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 SocratesResults 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 SocratesResults 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.

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 SocratesResults. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.