How to uninstall NetSearchAgent app/extension from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is NetSearchAgent

NetSearchAgent is a malicious application that belongs to the group of Adware. Adware is a type of malicious software that is developed only to display numerous pop-ups and/or annoying adverts using intrusive and at times dangerous methods. Adware can also include other types of malware. It can steal privacy information 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 NetSearchAgent app is its online data-tracking activity. It can monetize its functionality by gathering sensitive info from your browsing sessions. This privacy info, subsequently, can be easily transferred to third parties. This puts your personal information at a security risk.

How does NetSearchAgent get on your machine

The majority of adware software come bundled with free software or even paid applications that World Wide Web users can easily download online. The installation packages of such apps, most often, clearly indicate that they will install optional apps. The option is given to users to stop the setup of any bundled applications. So, in order to avoid the installation of any adware: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced installation method and uncheck all third-party apps in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	NetSearchAgent, NetSearchAgent 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Adware/Adload!OSX, OSX.Trojan.Gen, Adware.MAC.Generic, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, ApplicUnwnt and MacOS.Agent-MT
Distribution	Free software installers, torrent downloads, fake update tools and malicious pop up ads
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to suspicious webpages, pop up advertisements won’t go away, unexpected program installed without your consent, new plugins suddenly added on your web-browser, your Mac settings are being altered without your request, your web-browser slows to a crawl.
Removal	NetSearchAgent removal guide

How to Remove NetSearchAgent adware (removal guide)

In the step-by-step guidance below we will have a look at the adware software and how to delete NetSearchAgent from Mozilla Firefox, Chrome and Safari browsers for Apple Mac, natively or by using a few free removal utilities. Certain of the steps below will require you to exit this web page. So, please read the steps carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove NetSearchAgent, use the following steps:

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

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

NetSearchAgent can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

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

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile associated with NetSearchAgent.

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 device, which is normal.

Delete NetSearchAgent associated software by using the Finder

Check the list of installed apps and uninstall all unknown or questionable applications. This is an important step, it so often happens that browser hijackers, adware and PUPs are built into free software, so by removing these applications you can get rid of annoying advertisements and web-browser redirects.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed software and get rid of all dubious and unknown programs.

After you have found anything dubious that may be the NetSearchAgent or other potentially unwanted program, then right click this program and choose “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove NetSearchAgent related files and folders

Now you need to try to find NetSearchAgent 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.

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

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

Some files created by NetSearchAgent 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 NetSearchAgent 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: search.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , com.machelper.plist, macsearch.plist, installapp.plist, com.net-preferences.plist and com.NetSearchAgent.service.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, adware software and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Check for NetSearchAgent 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.NetSearchAgent.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you carefully followed the previous steps, then you should be able to remove NetSearchAgent. Of course, very often adware, browser hijackers and PUPs hides on a Mac device, disguising itself as legitimate apps and files. Therefore, in some cases, it is difficult for an inexperienced user to decide whether a particular file is part of potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers. Therefore, we suggest you to run MalwareBytes Free to scan the Mac computer.

1. Installing the MalwareBytes is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes Anti Malware on your MAC OS from the link below.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20990 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. When the download is finished, please close all applications and open windows on your Apple Mac. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes AntiMalware will start and open the main window.
4. Further, press the “Scan” button to locate NetSearchAgent adware software. Depending on your MAC system, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a threat is detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.
5. Once finished, MalwareBytes will prepare a list of unwanted applications and adware software.
6. When you’re ready, click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove NetSearchAgent from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still seeing NetSearchAgent adware that won’t go away, you might have malicious extensions installed on your browser. Check your web browser for unwanted extensions using the steps below.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Chrome. 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 delete NetSearchAgent 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 NetSearchAgent 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

It is also critical to protect your web browsers from malicious webpages and ads by using an ad-blocking application like AdGuard. Security experts says that it will greatly reduce the risk of malicious software, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

Once the download is done, 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 tutorial. Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guidance that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your Apple Mac, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying pop ups, block harmful and misleading websites.

Finish words

Now your computer should be free of the NetSearchAgent adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted ads and annoying harmful web sites) and MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your Apple Mac for new malware, 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 browser hijackers, malicious apps and adware are released.

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