What is LaunchHistoryResults
According to security experts, LaunchHistoryResults is an adware application that targets Apple computers. Adware also known as ‘ad-supported’ software is a malicious application that shows lots of ads in form of pop ups, discount offers, banners or even fake alerts on the web-browser. Adware software can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security.
Does LaunchHistoryResults steal your privacy data? The adware can monetize its functionality by gathering confidential information from your browsing sessions. This sensitive information, later, can be easily transferred third party companies. This puts your user info at a security risk.
Adware is usually written in ways common to malicious software, spyware and browser hijackers. In order to remove LaunchHistoryResults adware, you will need perform the steps below or use free adware removal utility listed below.
How does LaunchHistoryResults get on your MAC computer
Usually, adware gets into computers as part of a bundle with free applications, sharing files and other unsafe programs which you downloaded from the Internet. The adware creators pays software creators for distributing adware within their software. So, bundled programs is often included as part of the installer. In order to avoid the install of any adware: choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced installation option and disable all additional apps in which you are unsure.
Threat Summary
Name | LaunchHistoryResults, “Launch History Results”, “LaunchHistoryResults 1.0” |
Type | adware software, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac virus, Mac malware |
Detection Names | Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, MacOS.Agent-MT, Adware.MAC.Generic, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware/Adload!OSX, OSX.Trojan.Gen and ApplicUnwnt |
Distribution | Free software installers, torrent downloads, fake update tools and shady pop up advertisements |
Symptoms | Your web browser is redirected to web pages you did not want, internet browser pop ups appear and recommend fake Flash updates, unexpected program installed without your say-so, unwanted icons on your desktop, your Mac settings are being altered without your request, slow browsing Internet. |
Removal | LaunchHistoryResults removal guide |
How to Remove LaunchHistoryResults adware (removal guide)
The following tutorial will help you to get rid of LaunchHistoryResults ads from Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome. Moreover, the steps below will help you to remove malicious software, browser hijackers, potentially unwanted applications and toolbars that your computer may be infected. Please do the tutorial step by step. If you need help or have any questions, then ask for our assistance or type a comment below. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to close your web-browser or reboot your MAC.
To remove LaunchHistoryResults, use the steps below:
- Remove profiles created by LaunchHistoryResults
- Delete LaunchHistoryResults associated software by using the Finder
- Remove LaunchHistoryResults related files and folders
- Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
- Remove LaunchHistoryResults from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
- How to stay safe online
Remove profiles created by LaunchHistoryResults
LaunchHistoryResults 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 related to LaunchHistoryResults.
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 Apple computer, which is normal.
Delete LaunchHistoryResults associated software by using the Finder
Go to the Finder and remove questionable programs, all applications you don’t remember installing. It’s important to pay the most attention to apps you have recently installed. If you do not know what a program does, look for the answer on the Net.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will display a list of all apps installed on your Apple Mac. Scroll through the all list, and remove any dubious and unknown applications. Right click to dubious application and choose “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.
Remove LaunchHistoryResults related files and folders
Now you need to try to find LaunchHistoryResults 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.
LaunchHistoryResults creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LaunchHistoryResults.system.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.LaunchHistoryResults.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.LaunchHistoryResults.system
- ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.LaunchHistoryResults.service.app
Some files created by LaunchHistoryResults 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 LaunchHistoryResults 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: macsearch.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, installapp.plist, com.LaunchHistoryResults.service.plist, com.machelper.plist, search.plist and com.google.defaultsearch.plist, . Most often, adware software, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.
Check for LaunchHistoryResults 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.LaunchHistoryResults.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.
Check for LaunchHistoryResults 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 LaunchHistoryResults 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.LaunchHistoryResults.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist and com.machelper.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 LaunchHistoryResults. Of course, very often PUPs, adware software and browser hijackers hides on a Mac, 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, browser hijackers and adware software. Therefore, we advise you to run MalwareBytes AntiMalware to scan the Mac device.
Installing the MalwareBytes is simple. First you’ll need to download MalwareBytes by clicking on the link below.
20841 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
After the download is finished, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the LaunchHistoryResults . A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your machine and the speed of your computer. While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified either as being malware. Review the report and then click the “Quarantine” button.
The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is a free program that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.
Remove LaunchHistoryResults from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
This step will show you how to remove harmful plugins. This can remove LaunchHistoryResults adware and fix some browsing issues, especially after adware infection.
Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox |
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You can also try to delete LaunchHistoryResults by reset Google Chrome settings. |
If you are still experiencing issues with LaunchHistoryResults removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser. |
Safari | |
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How to stay safe online
It is important to run adblocker programs like AdGuard to protect your MAC system from harmful web pages. Most security experts says that it is okay to block ads. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard can to block misleading and other unwanted web pages.
- Please go to the following link to download AdGuard.
AdGuard for Mac download
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- After the downloading process is complete, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the installation is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your machine, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted ads, block harmful and misleading web-pages.
To sum up
Once you have removed the LaunchHistoryResults adware using the guide, Chrome, Safari and Firefox will no longer display any unwanted ads when you browse the Web. Unfortunately, if the step-by-step 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 LaunchHistoryResults adware.