How to remove netlookupsearch (Mac)

Complete guide to delete netlookupsearch

netlookupsearch is a rogue application that loads various intrusive ads and alters some settings of installed browsers to take complete control over the traffic. As per experts, this application targets Mac Os devices in particular. At present, it is actively distributed via bundled them with some Adobe Flash Player updates. After the install, it drops an add-on to the installed browsers and starts display ads throughout the session. Like other adware application, it tracks users’ browsing session as well. Read the article throughout to know the easy steps to remove netlookupsearch mac.

More about netlookupsearch

You should not ignore netlookupsearch infection as it may turn the installed browsers as the advertising platform. It displays third party ads and allows them to promote their programs, products and services. Such ads may be used to generate pay-per-click revenue. The sponsored may want to collect as many clicks as possible for the monetizing purpose and therefore the content that you encounter might be not relevant to what you query about. However, these are eye-catching. These ads might trigger you to some potentially dangerous and even expose you to some malware-laden websites and bring many more dangerous malware infection that netlookupsearch mac itself.

We want to point out one of the various dangerous functionality of the adware app. This is its capability to track web browsing session. This allows them to track web browsing session and collect the data include IP address, geo-location, browsing history, preferences, technical details of the browser, etc. Typically, these data help the advertisements to design customized ads. However, there might be a case arises when the developers sell all such data to potent cybercriminals. This creates the risk of privacy issue, browser safety, identity theft and even more dangerous legal issues. Therefore, when you notice any questionable promotional marked with netlookupsearch or similar, navigate to the directory and remove all such apps that you are not familiar with.

Threat Summary

Name: netlookupsearch

Threat type: Mac virus, Mac malware

Symptoms: Your Mac becomes slower than normal. You see unwanted pop-ups, and fake redirection to dubious websites

Distribution methods: deceptive pop-ups, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads

Damage: Internet browser tracking (potentially privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information

Malware removal: To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with reputable antivirus tool or follow manual instruction provided below the post

To remove the unwanted app, use some reputable antivirus tool that perform full system scans and detects and deletes all suspicious apps from different locations hidden on your Mac. However, this is not just enough to remove netlookupsearch mac. You also need to check the settings of the browsers and delete the URLs from the notifications, search engines and other settings. Better if you reset the browsers settings to the default.

Tips to prevent PUPs intrusion

The programmers of Ad-supporting applications collaborate with third parties who seek to increase visitors’ rate to their websites or boot sites of some products/services/software. However, the more money circulation on the Internet is based on advertisements. Users must know that click on any third party ads from third parties are not secure. The PUPs developers not even monitor and filter the third parties’ affiliated content and therefore these pop-ups can hide some malicious scripts behind that lead some dangerous malware infection. We recommend you use enable Ad-blocker, use VPS and use other tools for the additional layer to the online security. Additionally, we also recommend you to be cautious when downloading and freeware apps – they can be the medium allowing adware or browser hijacker infection. To unpack the anything additive, you must check Custom/Advanced option during the installation moment and unmark all boxes saying you are agree with the installation of additional components of the freeware apps.

Remove netlookupsearch

Manual malware removal guide might be a lengthy and a complicated process that require advanced computer skill. Instead of this, use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove netlookupsearch mac.

Remove Files and Folders Related to netlookupsearch

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