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

What is NetworkStructured

NetworkStructured is an adware application that targets Mac computers. Adware is a form of malicious software designed to display constant popup windows and/or unwanted advertisements using intrusive and at times dangerous methods. Adware can also include other forms of malware. It can steal personal information from the MAC and pass it on to third parties. Adware software has also been the basis for hacking to gain access to the MAC.

Even worse, adware software can have spyware and keyloggers built into itself, leading to greater damage to your Mac and possible invasion of your confidential data.

How does NetworkStructured get on your MAC OS

Adware usually comes bundled with maliciouis downloads, fake updates and freeware that downloaded from the Internet. Which means that you need to be proactive and carefully read the Terms of use and the License agreement properly. For the most part, adware and PUPs will be clearly described, so take the time to carefully read all the information about the software that you downloaded and want to install on your machine.

Threat Summary

Name	NetworkStructured
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Adware.MAC.Generic, MacOS.Agent-MT, ApplicUnwnt, OSX.Trojan.Gen, Osx.Adware.Cimpli and Adware/Adload!OSX
Distribution	Freeware installers, suspicious pop-up advertisements, torrent downloads and fake update tools
Symptoms	Every time you perform an Internet search, your browser is redirected to another webpage, popups and newtabs are loaded without your request, new entries appear in your Applications folder, new toolbars suddenly added on your browser, your web-browser search provider has changed without your permission, slow browsing Internet.
Removal	NetworkStructured removal guide

How to remove NetworkStructured from Mac

In the guide below we will have a look at the adware and how to remove NetworkStructured ads from Safari, Google Chrome and Firefox internet browsers for Mac OS, natively or by using a few free removal tools. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to close your internet browser or restart your MAC system.

To remove NetworkStructured, follow the steps below:

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

Remove profiles created by NetworkStructured

NetworkStructured 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 associated with NetworkStructured.

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 NetworkStructured associated software by using the Finder

In the next step, you need to check the list of installed software on your Mac computer and uninstall all unused, unknown and dubious apps.

1. Open the Finder.
2. Click “Applications”.
3. It will show a list of all apps installed on the Apple Mac.
4. Scroll through the all list, and remove suspicious and unknown programs. Pay maximum attention to the program you installed last.
5. Drag the dubious application from the Applications folder to the Trash.
6. Empty Trash.

Remove NetworkStructured related files and folders

Now you need to try to find NetworkStructured 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.

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

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

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

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

Check for NetworkStructured 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 NetworkStructured 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.machelper.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.NetworkStructured.system.plist and com.search.system.plist. In most cases, browser hijackers, adware software and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We recommend using MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM). You can download and install MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) to find and get rid of NetworkStructured related programs from your Mac computer. When installed and updated, the malware remover automatically identifies and removes all security threats present on the Apple Mac.

Installing the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes Free from the link below.

Once downloading is finished, close all applications and windows on your machine. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen such as the one below.

Now press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the NetworkStructured adware software. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your machine. While the MalwareBytes AntiMalware tool is checking, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malware.

When the scan is complete, you may check all items detected on your MAC system. Next, you need to press the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes will get rid of NetworkStructured adware software.

Remove NetworkStructured from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still seeing NetworkStructured adware software that won’t go away, you might have malicious extensions installed on your browser. Check your internet 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. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove NetworkStructured 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 issues with NetworkStructured adware removal, you need to reset 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

Using an adblocker program like AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, ad-blocking software will also protect you from malicious ads and web-pages, and, of course, stop redirection chain to misleading, scam and similar web pages.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

After 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 guidance. Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick instructions that will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your MAC, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop annoying advertisements, block malicious and misleading web-pages.

To sum up

Once you have removed the adware using this few simple steps, Chrome, Safari and Mozilla Firefox will no longer display any unwanted ads when you surf the Web. Unfortunately, if the guidance 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 intrusive NetworkStructured .