How to uninstall WebAdviseSearch app/extension from Mac

What is WebAdviseSearch

WebAdviseSearch is supposed to be a program that will improve the browsing experience, but it is adware. Adware is something that you should be aware of even if you run Google Chrome or other modern web browser. This is the name given to apps that have been developed to show intrusive advertisements and popup deals onto your web browser screen. The reason for adware software’s existence is to make profit for its creator.

Even worse, adware is often harmless, but sometimes the adware you inadvertently download can also be spyware. Spyware can sometimes seek out your confidential information stored on the computer, collect this information and use it to steal your identity.

In the steps below, we will explain useful ways on how to remove WebAdviseSearch adware from your machine and clean your web browser of unwanted advertisements.

How does WebAdviseSearch get on your MAC OS

These days some free software authors bundle potentially unwanted apps or adware with a view to making some money. These are not free programs as install an unwanted applications on to your MS Windows computer. So whenever you install a new free programs that downloaded from the World Wide Web, be very careful during install. Carefully read the EULA (a text with I ACCEPT/I DECLINE button), select custom or manual setup method, reject all optional apps.

Threat Summary

Name	WebAdviseSearch, Web Advise Search 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), popups, pop-up virus, popup ads
Symptoms	pop-ups and new tab pages are loaded without your request every time you perform an Internet search, your browser is redirected to another webpage unwanted applications installed without your consent unexpected web-browser extensions or toolbars keep coming back your internet browser home page has replaced without your permission slow browsing Internet your computer is no stable leading to freezes
Removal	WebAdviseSearch removal guide

How to remove WebAdviseSearch adware

Without a doubt, the adware is harmful to your MAC OS. So you need to quickly and completely get rid of WebAdviseSearch adware. To delete this adware, you may use the manual removal steps which are given below or free malicious software removal tool such as MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) (it is free). We recommend you use automatic removal method which will help you to delete Web Advise Search easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you are well versed in Apple Mac or in the case where adware is not removed automatically. Some of the steps below will require you to exit this web-page. So, please read the few simple steps carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove WebAdviseSearch, perform the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by WebAdviseSearch
2. Check the list of installed apps
3. Remove WebAdviseSearch related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove WebAdviseSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove profiles created by WebAdviseSearch

WebAdviseSearch 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 WebAdviseSearch.

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.

Check the list of installed apps

The next step to remove adware, browser hijackers and PUPs is to delete unknown and questionable programs. Using the Finder you can do this quickly and easily. We suggest you not to skip this step, as it often helps to get rid of web browser redirects and unwanted ads.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will open a list of all programs installed on your MAC OS. Scroll through the all list, and delete any dubious and unknown applications. Right click to questionable program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove WebAdviseSearch related files and folders

Now you need to try to find WebAdviseSearch 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 WebAdviseSearch 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: installapp.plist, com.machelper.plist, search.plist, WebAdviseSearch.plist and macsearch.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for WebAdviseSearch 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 WebAdviseSearch 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 WebAdviseSearch 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.installapp.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.search.plist, com.WebAdviseSearch.plist and com.macsearch.plist. In most cases, browser hijackers, PUPs and adware create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We recommend using MalwareBytes AntiMalware. You can download and install MalwareBytes to scan for and delete WebAdviseSearch associated applications from your Mac. When installed and updated, the malware remover automatically finds and removes all security threats present on the machine.

1. Please go to the following link to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti Malware for Apple Mac.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20850 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. Once downloading is complete, close all programs and windows on your computer. Open a folder in which you saved it. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Click the “Scan” button to find WebAdviseSearch . While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) program is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
4. As the scanning ends, you’ll be shown the list of all found items on your machine. You may remove items (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Quarantine”.

Remove WebAdviseSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted add-ons is a easy way to delete WebAdviseSearch and return web-browser’s settings which have been replaced by adware.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove WebAdviseSearch adware by reset Google 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 WebAdviseSearch 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

Run an adblocker utility like AdGuard will protect you from malicious ads and content. Moreover, you may find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam webpages. Additionally, ad-blocking software will allow you to avoid intrusive popup ads and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

Visit the following page to download AdGuard.

After the downloading process is finished, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick instructions. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your MAC, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop annoying pop up ads, block harmful and misleading web-pages.

To sum up

Now your computer should be clean of the WebAdviseSearch adware software. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted ads and annoying malicious webpages) and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (to periodically scan your MAC for new malicious software, browser hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijackers, harmful software and adware software are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to remove WebAdviseSearch ads from your browser, then ask for help here.