How to remove AdditionalChannelSearch adware for Mac OS

Simple process to delete AdditionalChannelSearch

AdditionalChannelSearch is suspicious domains that are mainly designed by hackers in order to deliver unreliable and highly questionable content as well as redirect to other untrustworthy and possibly malicious websites. It is able to infect all versions of Windows Mac OS without any consent and start performing lots of annoying activities. Although, it is designed to promote address of some fake search engine by modifying browser’s settings. Simply said, it has both adware and browser hijackers functionality. Due to its improper intrusion methods, this malicious program is classified as potentially unwanted applications. Apart from this, this type of app is also designed to collect information related to users browsing habits.

Depth analysis of AdditionalChannelSearch:

Being as an advertising platform, AdditionalChannelSearch will keep showing unwanted ads and pop-ups in form of coupons, offers, banners, discounts and other similar advertisements. Remember that it is programmed by vicious cyber criminals whose main motive behind the distribution of such threat is to generate revenue. Upon being clicked on such ads, users will get redirected to harmful websites that contain lots of nasty threats and viruses. Sometimes, it can also execute malicious scripts that are designed for the installation of unwanted apps. Once installed, it will infect your main browser like Safari, chrome, Firefox and other. It will also change its default settings like default search engine, homepage and new tab in order to promote fake search engine. Simply said, users can reset those addresses that were assigned by this type of application.

Typically, apps like AdditionalChannelSearch target browsing related data. The collected data includes entered search queries, pages viewed, URLs search, IP addresses, geo-location and other similar details. Despite this, it can also collect your personal as well as sensitive details. What’s more, all gathered data are shared with third parties who misuse it in order to generate revenue as much as possible. Therefore, presence of such applications on computer cause problems related to online privacy, browsing safety and even lead to identity exposure. So, to avoid all such issues you are advised not to trust on such type of applications and never download and install it with third party installer. Such installers could infect system with various other malware.

Threat specification

Name: AdditionalChannelSearch

Type: Adware, Browser Hijacker, PUP, Mac malware, Mac virus

Short Description: Each browser application on your computer could get affected. The hijacker can redirect you and will display lots of advertisements.

Symptoms: Browser settings which are altered are the homepage, search engine and the new tab.

Distribution Method: Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, porn or torrent sites, malicious file downloads and many more.

Damage: Internet browser tracking (possibly privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirect to dubious websites and loss of private information.

Removal: Both manual as well as automatic removal guide has been prescribed below under this article.  

Distribution methods of AdditionalChannelSearch:

AdditionalChannelSearch enters into your computer by using several deceptive techniques. The most common methods used by them are software bundling. As you know, bundling is an undercover installation of unwanted applications that take place together with regular free software. In most cases, what’s developers do is that they hide bundled apps behind custom or advance options as well as do not reveal the information of such programs properly. Thus, users rush and skip all those available settings unchanged and often cause inadvertent installation of unwanted software. So, in this case, you are advised to be very cautious while downloading/installing software as well as clicking on ads and pop-ups.

How to prevent intruding unwanted apps?

To avoid installation of unwanted programs and other harmful threats and viruses like AdditionalChannelSearch then you are advised to follow given below mentioned steps:

• Third party installer, unofficial pages and other similar tools should be avoided.
• Always use official websites and direct download links for any software download.
• Always pay close attention at the time of installation moment.
• Select custom or advance option as well as other similar settings.
• Keep all installed app updated by using tools provided by genuine software developers.

Remove AdditionalChannelSearch

To remove this adware infection from computer, you are advised to go through given below removal guide that contain two removal processes namely manual as well as automatic. Manual process is lengthy and time-consuming. If you know about such process deeply then you can go through it. Otherwise you can use some reliable anti-malware removal tool that has the capability to remove AdditionalChannelSearch completely from the infected Mac OS.

Remove Files and Folders Related to AdditionalChannelSearch

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