How to uninstall AdvancedNetworkSearch app/extension from Mac

What is AdvancedNetworkSearch

AdvancedNetworkSearch is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that belongs to the Adware family . Adware can make big problem to your Apple Mac. Adware also known as ‘adware software’ is a form of harmful applications that shows lots of advertisements in form of pop-up windows, coupons, banners or even fake alerts on the web-browser. Adware can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security. Adware software can be installed onto your Apple Mac without your knowledge.

Does adware steal your data? Adware software can collect sensitive information, including:

• IP addresses;
• URLs visited;
• search queries/terms;
• clicks on links and ads;
• internet browser version information.

If you are unfortunate have adware, you can follow the step-by-step guide below that will help you to remove AdvancedNetworkSearch and thereby remove unwanted ads from your internet browser.

How does AdvancedNetworkSearch get on your MAC OS

Usually, adware software gets into your machine as part of a bundle with free programs, sharing files and other unsafe programs that you downloaded from the World Wide Web. The authors of adware software pays software creators for distributing adware software within their software. So, bundled applications is often included as part of the install package. In order to avoid the installation of any adware: select only Manual, Custom or Advanced install method and disable all optional programs in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	AdvancedNetworkSearch, AdvancedNetworkSearch 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), pop up advertisements, popup virus, popups
Symptoms	advertising banners appear in places they shouldn’t be every time you perform an Internet search, your web browser is redirected to an unwanted webpage unexpected applications installed without your say-so unexpected toolbars on your desktop your web-browser homepage or search engine keeps changing or is not set to Google anymor fast Internet but slow browsing speeds your machine is no stable leading to freezes
Removal	AdvancedNetworkSearch removal guide

How to remove AdvancedNetworkSearch from Mac computer

There are a few solutions which can be used to get rid of adware software. But, not all PUPs like this adware software can be completely removed utilizing only manual ways. In most cases you are not able to uninstall any adware utilizing standard Mac options. In order to remove AdvancedNetworkSearch adware you need complete a few manual steps and use reliable removal tools. Most IT security experts states that MalwareBytes Anti-Malware tool is a right choice. The free program is able to search for and get rid of adware from your computer and revert back your browser settings to defaults.

To remove AdvancedNetworkSearch, perform the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by AdvancedNetworkSearch
2. Uninstall AdvancedNetworkSearch related apps through the Finder
3. Remove AdvancedNetworkSearch related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove AdvancedNetworkSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove profiles created by AdvancedNetworkSearch

AdvancedNetworkSearch 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 software.

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 AdvancedNetworkSearch.

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 computer, which is normal.

Uninstall AdvancedNetworkSearch related apps through the Finder

Check out the Finder (Applications section) to see all installed applications. If you see any unknown and suspicious applications, they are the ones you need to delete.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed programs and delete all dubious and unknown applications.

After you’ve found anything questionable that may be the AdvancedNetworkSearch adware or other PUP, then right click this program and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove AdvancedNetworkSearch related files and folders

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual AdvancedNetworkSearch removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware software may be not completely removed. We suggest that run MalwareBytes to scan the Mac device. Moreover, this program will help you to remove PUPs, toolbars, adware and browser hijackers that your Apple Mac can be affected too.

MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link.

When downloading is finished, close all programs and windows on your Apple Mac. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen like the one below.

Now click the “Scan” button to begin scanning your MAC system for the AdvancedNetworkSearch adware. Depending on your machine, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

Once the system scan is complete, MalwareBytes will show you the results. Review the results once the utility has finished the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Free will begin to remove AdvancedNetworkSearch adware.

Remove AdvancedNetworkSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted plugins is a simple solution to remove AdvancedNetworkSearch adware and return browser’s settings that have been replaced by adware software.

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 get rid of AdvancedNetworkSearch 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 issues with AdvancedNetworkSearch 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

We recommend to install an ad blocker application. The ad-blocking utility such as AdGuard is a program that basically removes advertising from the Internet and stops access to malicious web pages. Moreover, security experts says that using ad blocking applications is necessary to stay safe when surfing the Net.

Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard by clicking on the following link.

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

Each time, when you start your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive pop ups, block malicious and misleading web-sites.

Finish words

Once you have finished the step-by-step guidance shown above, your machine should be clean from this adware and other malicious software. The Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari will no longer display any unwanted ads when you browse the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, if the tutorial does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.

Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the AdvancedNetworkSearch adware.