Remove DataSearchLauncher from Mac OS

Proper guide to delete DataSearchLauncher adware

DataSearchLauncher is potentially unwanted applications that functions as both adware and browser hijackers. It is designed to promote nasty threat which can bring several new problems that will completely degrade your entire system. This notorious malware is created and distributed by group of hackers with an evil intention and wrong motives. Further, you may know that it serves advertisements and changes certain browsers settings in order to promote address of fake search engines. Due to its infiltration methods, such kinds of apps are categorized as PUAs. Apart from this detail, they are often designed to gather users browsing related data.

Usually, adware type programs is mainly designed to display intrusive or deceptive ads in form of pop-ups, coupons, discounts, offers, deals and other similar adverts. Thus, such displayed ads not only cover contents of websites where users want to visit but also has the ability to open untrustworthy pages or even cause unwanted downloads and installations of software like PUAs by executing certain malicious scripts. Due to this, you are advised not to click on those ads. Furthermore, DataSearchLauncher changes certain browsers settings to an address of fake search engine. To do so, they modify settings of installed browsers such as default search engine, homepage and new tab.

Those changes do not allow users to reverse settings as long as they are installed. The problem with such fake search engine is that they are designed either to generate misleading results or results generated by some other legitimate engine. Despite this, this adware infection has full access of your browser so that it can monitor your online activities and track your browsing history for stealing your personal information. It can share all those details with hackers and thus you could become victim of identity theft and bank fraud. So, it is very important to remove DataSearchLauncher virus from your Mac as soon as possible.

How your system gets infected by DataSearchLauncher?

This adware type application normally distributed through the most popular marketing method called bundling. While installing third party programs, unwanted components also gets inside into the PC that are hidden with main software. Developers hide information about such apps behind custom or advanced options of the download/installation setups. People who leave such settings unchanged and skip all installation procedures often allow unwanted software to be get downloaded and installed. If this nasty threat stay in your device for long time it will keep performing its malevolent activities in the background. Hence, by looking all these threats we strongly recommend you to delete suspicious applications instantly from the computer.

How to prevent installation of PUAs?

To avoid intrusion of unnecessary programs and harmful threats or infections, you must be very cautious while updating any software as well as surfing online. All programs, files should only be downloaded by using official websites or through direct links. Tools like third party downloader, free file hosting sites, unofficial pages, p2p sharing networks and other similar channels should not be used as they are considered to be untrustworthy. Additionally, while installing any apps, it is important to read terms, study all possible options, use custom or advance settings and opt out for all additionally included apps.

Further, it is advised not to click on ads that are displayed on questionable websites. Those ads often promote unreliable pages or even download and install potentially malicious software. If you encounter suspicious extensions or plug-ins installed on a browser then you must uninstalled it immediately. In case, if your system is infected with DataSearchLauncher then we recommend you running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS that has the ability to eliminate infiltrated adware automatically. Despite this, some more removal instructions have been discussed below under this post by using both automatic and manual process.

Threat specification

Name: DataSearchLauncher

Type: Adware, PUA, PUP, Mac malware, Mac virus

Symptoms: A huge amount of advertising not originates from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased internet browsing speed.

Intrusion methods: bundles of free software programs, spam emails, harmful websites, peer to peer sharing networks, cracked software and many more.

Prevention: use custom or advance mode while installing freeware, avoid downloading rogue software from the unreliable websites.

Damage: slow down computer performance as well as internet speed, browser tracking (possibly privacy issues), loss of personal information and infiltrate other additional malware infections.

Removal: To delete possible malware infections we highly advised you to read the given below article carefully and find out immediate removal instructions.

Remove Files and Folders Related to DataSearchLauncher

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