How to uninstall NetInput app/extension from Mac

What is NetInput

NetInput is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that belongs to the Adware category . Adware is a part of malware. When adware software hijacks your machine, it might carry out various harmful tasks. Some of the more common acts on computers include: adware software can display numerous popups and/or annoying advertisements;adware software can redirect your internet browser to unsafe web sites; adware can slow down your MAC; adware can modify internet browser settings.

Another reason why you need to get rid of adware software is its online data-tracking activity. Adware software is often harmless, but sometimes the adware you inadvertently download can also be spyware. Spyware can sometimes seek out your confidential data stored on the MAC OS, collect this information and use it to steal your identity.

If you noticed any of the symptoms mentioned above, we recommend you to perform steps below to remove the adware and get rid of unwanted ads from your web-browser.

How does NetInput get on your machine

Adware spreads with a simple but quite effective way. It is integrated into the setup file of various freeware. Thus on the process of installation, it will be installed onto your MAC OS and/or web browser. In order to avoid adware, you just need to follow a few simple rules: carefully read the Terms of Use and the license, select only a Manual, Custom or Advanced installation mode, which enables you to make sure that the program you want to install, thereby protect your machine from adware.

Threat Summary

Name	NetInput, NetInput 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop-up virus, popup ads, pop-ups
Symptoms	you experience a large number of of unwanted advertisements every time you perform an Internet search, your browser is redirected to another web-page your Apple Mac starts automatically installing unwanted apps unexpected icons on your desktop your web browser start page has modified and you cannot change it back low ping but slow Internet CPU usage seems unusually high
Removal	NetInput removal guide

How to remove NetInput from Mac

As with uninstalling adware software, malware or potentially unwanted programs, there are few steps you can do. We suggest trying them all. If you do only one part of the guidance, then it should be run malicious software removal utility, because it should remove adware and stop any further infection. But to completely get rid of NetInput adware you’ll have to at least reset your web-browser settings such as new tab, home page and search engine by default to default state, delete all unwanted and suspicious applications, and remove adware by malicious software removal tools. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to close your browser or reboot your machine.

To remove NetInput, use the steps below:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Uninstall NetInput associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove NetInput related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove NetInput from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

NetInput can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to NetInput.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac, which is normal.

Uninstall NetInput associated software by using the Finder

In order to delete adware, PUPs and browser hijackers, open the Finder and click on “Applications”. Check the list of installed software. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are adware, browser hijackers and PUPs. If yes, delete them off. Even if they are just a programs which you do not use, then deleting them off will increase your machine start up time and speed dramatically.

1. Open the Finder.
2. Click “Applications”.
3. It will display a list of all applications installed on the MAC OS.
4. Scroll through the all list, and delete dubious and unknown software. Pay maximum attention to the program you installed last.
5. Drag the suspicious application from the Applications folder to the Trash.
6. Empty Trash.

Remove NetInput related files and folders

Now you need to try to find NetInput related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for NetInput generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: com.machelper.plist, NetInput.plist, search.plist, macsearch.plist and installapp.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, adware and PUPs create several files with similar names.

Check for NetInput generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for NetInput generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for NetInput generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.NetInput.plist, com.macsearch.plist, com.installapp.plist, com.machelper.plist and com.search.plist. In most cases, browser hijackers, adware software and PUPs create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you’re still having issues with the NetInput removal or just wish to scan your Mac computer occasionally for adware and other malware, then download MalwareBytes. It is free for home use, and identifies and removes various unwanted software that attacks your machine or degrades Apple Mac performance. MalwareBytes can remove toolbars, browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and adware software as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.

1. MalwareBytes Anti Malware can be downloaded from the following link.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20996 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. Once the download is finished, close all apps and windows on your Apple Mac. Open a file location. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Press the “Scan” button to detect NetInput adware. Depending on your machine, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. During the scan MalwareBytes Free will find threats present on your machine.
4. Once MalwareBytes Free has completed scanning, MalwareBytes will display a list of found items. Make sure to check mark the items which are unsafe and then press “Quarantine”.

Remove NetInput from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you’re still seeing NetInput adware software that won’t go away, you might have malicious extensions installed on your web-browser. Check your internet browser for unwanted plugins using the steps below.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Chrome menu. In the menu go to ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove NetInput adware by reset Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing problems with NetInput adware software removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

If you want to get rid of intrusive ads, browser redirections and pop-ups, then install an ad blocking program such as AdGuard. It can block unwanted ads and pop-ups, stop websites from tracking your online activities when using the Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome. So, if you like surf the Net, but you don’t like undesired advertisements and want to protect your machine from harmful webpages, then the AdGuard is your best choice.

Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of AdGuard for Apple Mac.

When the download is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you start your MAC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying popups, block harmful and misleading web-sites.

To sum up

Once you’ve done the few simple steps shown above, your machine should be free from NetInput and other malicious software. The Safari, Firefox and Chrome will no longer redirect you to various unwanted webpages. Unfortunately, if the step-by-step tutorial does not help you, then you have caught a new adware software, and then the best way – ask for help here.