How to remove OnlineResultsSearch from Mac

Easy tips to delete OnlineResultsSearch

OnlineResultsSearch is an adware-type application with browser hijacker trait. It operates by displaying various intrusive ads and promoting address of fake search engine by doing browsers’ modifications. Additionally, this app has dangerous data tracking functionality.

Because of questionable methods used for the distribution, the app is also called potentially unwanted application. The OnlineResultsSearch app has been observed being spread via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. It is noteworthy that fraudulent updaters can cause Trojans or Ransomware installation as well.

The OnlineResultsSearch adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited pages. The adverts can be in any forms including pop-ups, banners, coupons and etc. The displayed advertisements severely diminish the web browsing experience and endanger the device/ user safety.

Intrusive ads endorse sale-based, unreliable, misleading, rogue, scam and malicious pages. Furthermore, these ads can cause unwanted download/ installation once being clicked –by running certain malicious scripts.

As stated, OnlineResultsSearch also has browser hijacker’s characteristic. This type of apps promotes fake web searchers. For this, they do modifications to the settings of the installed browsers on the compromised systems and set the promoted URLs in the place of default homepage, new tab pages and search engine options.

These changes are significant – the users can’t undo such changes until the app which is responsible for it is removed. Thus, they are forced to surf the session with illegitimate web search engines that have the only aim to boost traffic over sponsored third party pages.

The advertised pages could try to draw out personal data, infect systems with malware, lure you into scam and etc. Fake web searchers can’t display their own search results and thus using these tools is totally worthless as well.

What’s more, most PUAs including adware and browser hijacker have data tracking potential. It is believed that OnlineResultsSearch is not an exception. It can spy on your web browsing session and collect the data include:

• IP addresses,
• Search queries,
• Viewed pages,
• URLs visited,
• Bookmarks saved and etc.

These data could be shared with and/or sold to third parties/potent cyber-criminals or misused in some illicit ways to generate revenue. Thus, the data tracking app on system pose threat to device integrity and personal safety both.

Therefore, it is strongly advised you remove OnlineResultsSearch infection right away. For this, employ a reputable antivirus tool, update its virus definitions and then perform full system scan using it and let the software do the rest of the task of PUA detection and its removal with all associated components.

How did OnlineResultsSearch install on my system?

PUAs are often distributed via the download/ installation setups of other programs. Bundling is the name of the deceptive technique used for packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions.

Rushed the download/ installation increase the risk of inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. Intrusive ads can cause unwanted download/ installation as well. Once clicked on, these ads run certain malicious scripts to cause stealthy download/ installation.

How to avoid PUAs installation?

It is advised to research software well prior to the download/ install and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads should have to be done using official and verified sources. Dubious download channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders often offer bundled and harmful content.

When downloading/ installing, it is advised to read all terms, study possible options, use Custom/Advanced settings and opt out all additionally attached apps and decline all offers. Intrusive ads can appear legit; however, they often open various questionable pages.

When you encounter any such ads/ redirects, immediately check the system for unwanted app for their removal. If the system is already infected with OnlineResultsSearch, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool and remove it right away.

Remove Files and Folders Related to OnlineResultsSearch

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