What is SearchNetCharacter
SearchNetCharacter is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that belongs to the Adware family . Most often, adware installs on the machine in a bundle with free software that you downloaded and installed from the Web. Once it gets inside your Apple Mac, it will configure itself to run automatically when the computer launch. Adware software can change MAC system settings, redirect your web browser to unwanted websites, display unwanted pop-up advertisements from various third-party ad networks and these intrusive ads is difficult to close.
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your confidential information? Adware can install a component that enables its developer to track which websites you visit, which products you look at upon those pages. They are then able to choose the type of ads they show you. So, if you had adware software on your computer, there is a good chance you have another that is gathering and sharing your confidential information with third parties, without your consent.
Don’t panic because we’ve got the solution. Here’s a instructions on how to remove SearchNetCharacter adware from the machine and free your web browser of annoying advertisements.
How does SearchNetCharacter get on your MAC
Adware usually is bundled with freeware and installs itself, with or without your knowledge, on your Apple Mac. This happens especially when you’re installing a free software. The application install package tricks you into accepting the installation of optional software, that you do not really want. Moreover, some paid applications can also install bundled programs that you don’t want! Therefore, always download freeware and paid software from reputable download web pages. Use ONLY custom or manual install mode and never blindly press Next button.
Threat Summary
| Name | SearchNetCharacter, Search Net Character 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop up ads, pop-ups, pop-up virus |
| Symptoms |
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| Removal | SearchNetCharacter removal guide |
How to remove SearchNetCharacter
Fortunately, we have an effective solution that will help you manually or/and automatically get rid of SearchNetCharacter ads from your web browser and bring your browser settings, including newtab, startpage and search engine, back to normal. Below you will find a removal guidance with all the steps you may need to successfully remove adware and its traces. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to close your browser or reboot your machine.
To remove SearchNetCharacter, execute the following steps:
- How to manually remove SearchNetCharacter
- Automatic Removal of SearchNetCharacter
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to manually remove SearchNetCharacter
In this section of the post, we have posted the steps that will allow to remove SearchNetCharacter adware manually. Although compared to removal tools, this solution loses in time, but you don’t need to install anything on your MAC system. It will be enough for you to follow the detailed tutorial with pictures. We tried to describe each step in detail, but if you realized that you might not be able to figure it out, or simply do not want to change the MS Windows and web browser settings, then it’s better for you to run utilities from trusted developers, which are listed below.
Remove potentially unwanted apps using the Finder
It is of primary importance to first identify and remove all potentially unwanted software, adware software programs and browser hijacker infections through the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Carefully browse through the list of installed applications and remove all dubious and unknown applications.
After you have found anything suspicious that may be the SearchNetCharacter or other potentially unwanted application, then right click this program and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.
Get rid of SearchNetCharacter from Firefox by resetting internet browser settings
Resetting your Mozilla Firefox is first troubleshooting step for any issues with your browser program, including the SearchNetCharacter ads. When using the reset feature, your personal information such as passwords, bookmarks, browsing history and web form auto-fill data will be saved.
First, run the Mozilla Firefox and click 
button. It will display the drop-down menu on the right-part of the browser. Further, click the Help button (
) as shown in the figure below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter. It will show the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, press the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will show the confirmation dialog box. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will start a task to fix your problems that caused by the SearchNetCharacter adware. After, it’s finished, press the “Finish” button.
Remove SearchNetCharacter from Google Chrome
Reset Chrome settings will allow you to completely reset your browser. The result of activating this function will bring Google Chrome settings back to its default values. This can remove SearchNetCharacter ads and disable harmful extensions. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
Open the Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will display the drop-down menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Chrome main menu again, press to “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, as displayed in the following example and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.
Delete SearchNetCharacter adware from Safari
The Safari reset is great if your browser is hijacked or you have unwanted add-ons or toolbars on your internet browser, that installed by an malware.
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious addons on left panel, choose it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all unknown extensions from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Automatic Removal of SearchNetCharacter
If you’re unsure how to delete SearchNetCharacter adware easily, consider using automatic adware software removal applications which listed below. It will identify the SearchNetCharacter adware software and get rid of it from your MAC for free.
Remove SearchNetCharacter adware software with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
Remove SearchNetCharacter manually is difficult and often the adware is not fully removed. Therefore, we advise you to use the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware that are fully clean your Apple Mac. Moreover, this free program will help you to remove malicious software, potentially unwanted apps, toolbars and browser hijacker that your Apple Mac can be infected too.
- Download MalwareBytes Anti Malware on your MAC OS from the link below.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
20842 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
- When the download is finished, close all applications and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
- Click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the SearchNetCharacter adware. Depending on your machine, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a malicious software, adware or PUPs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is done.
- When MalwareBytes is finished scanning your MAC, the results are displayed in the scan report. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click “Remove Selected Items”.
How to stay safe online
In order to increase your security and protect your MAC system against new undesired advertisements and harmful web sites, you need to use ad blocking program that stops an access to harmful advertisements and websites. Moreover, the application may stop the display of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of webpages and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
Once the downloading process is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you run your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying pop-ups, block malicious and misleading web-sites.
Finish words
After completing the tutorial shown above, your Apple Mac should be clean from this adware software and other malicious software. The Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome will no longer display the SearchNetCharacter ads when you surf the Net. Unfortunately, if the steps 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 SearchNetCharacter adware.
