How to uninstall UniversalToolSearch app/extension from Mac

What is UniversalToolSearch

UniversalToolSearch is an application that belongs to the Adware category. Adware is a form of malicious software that is created only to present various pop-ups and/or unwanted advertising using intrusive and at times dangerous methods. Adware can also include other types of malicious programs. It can steal confidential info from the Apple Mac and pass it on to third parties. Adware has also been the basis for hacking to gain access to the MAC system.

Another reason why you need to remove the UniversalToolSearch adware is its online data-tracking activity. It can gather confidential information, including:

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

Adware is usually written in ways common to malware, spyware and browser hijackers. In order to remove UniversalToolSearch adware, you will need use the steps below or use free adware removal utility listed below.

How does UniversalToolSearch get on your MAC system

Adware gets onto MAC system by being attached to various free programs. This means that you need to be very careful when installing programs downloaded from the Internet. Be sure to read the Terms of Use and the Software license, select only the Manual, Advanced or Custom install option, switch off all third-party browser add-ons and programs are offered to install.

Threat Summary

Name	UniversalToolSearch, UniversalToolSearch 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Adware/Adload!OSX, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware.MAC.Generic, OSX.Trojan.Gen, ApplicUnwnt, MacOS.Agent-MT and Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload
Distribution	Freeware installers, fake software updaters, torrent downloads and suspicious popup ads
Symptoms	Your internet browser is redirected to web-sites you did not want, advertising banners appear in places they shouldn’t be, unexpected application installed without your knowledge, new addons suddenly installed on your web-browser, your browser home page has changed without your permission, slow Internet browsing speeds.
Removal	UniversalToolSearch removal guide

How to remove UniversalToolSearch adware

The answer is right here on this page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will help you easily to free your MAC of UniversalToolSearch . Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal method. If you’re familiar with the computer then use manual removal, otherwise run the free antimalware tool developed specifically to get rid of adware. Of course, you may combine both methods. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to shut down your web browser or reboot your MAC OS.

To remove UniversalToolSearch, use the steps below:

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

Remove profiles created by UniversalToolSearch

UniversalToolSearch 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 Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac computer. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile related to UniversalToolSearch.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Uninstall UniversalToolSearch related applications through the Finder

In the next step, you need to check the list of installed programs on your Mac and remove all unused, unknown and suspicious apps.

Open Finder and click “Applications” like below.

You will see a list of programs installed on your machine. We recommend to pay maximum attention to the application you installed last. Most likely, it’s the UniversalToolSearch . If you’re in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing.

When the program which you need to uninstall is found, simply right click on its name, and select “Move to Trash”.

Don’t forget, select Finder, then “Empty Trash”.

Remove UniversalToolSearch related files and folders

Now you need to try to find UniversalToolSearch 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.

UniversalToolSearch creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.UniversalToolSearch.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.UniversalToolSearch.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.UniversalToolSearch.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.UniversalToolSearch.service.app

Some files created by UniversalToolSearch are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

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 UniversalToolSearch 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.google.defaultsearch.plist, , com.machelper.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, macsearch.plist, com.UniversalToolSearch.service.plist, installapp.plist and search.plist. Most often, adware, PUPs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for UniversalToolSearch 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 folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.UniversalToolSearch.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We recommend using MalwareBytes Free to scan the Mac for potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers. This free utility is an advanced malicious software removal application developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It’s able to help you remove PUPs and other security threats from your Mac device for free.

Please go to the link below to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM).

When the downloading process is done, run it and follow the prompts. Press the “Scan” button to search for UniversalToolSearch adware. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer. While the MalwareBytes Free is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malware. You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply click the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes is a free program that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.

Remove UniversalToolSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you have ‘UniversalToolSearch ‘ removal problem, then remove unwanted addons can help you. In the steps below we’ll show you the way to remove malicious addons without reinstall. This will also help to get rid of UniversalToolSearch adware software from your internet browser.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Google Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. 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 get rid of UniversalToolSearch 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 UniversalToolSearch adware 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 ad-blocking program such as AdGuard in order to block ads, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your Apple Mac performance and impact your MAC OS security. Browse the World Wide Web anonymously and stay safe online!

Please go to the following link to download the latest version of AdGuard for Mac.

Once downloading 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 guide. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick instructions which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you run your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop undesired pop ups, block harmful and misleading webpages.

To sum up

After completing the few simple steps above, your computer should be clean from this adware and other malware. The Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari will no longer open any unwanted web-site when you surf the Net. Unfortunately, if the guide does not help you, then you have caught a new adware software, 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 UniversalToolSearch adware.