Threat Database Mac Malware NetModuleSearchDaemon

NetModuleSearchDaemon

ModuleSearch is a Potentially Unwanted Program that may redirect your browser to unwanted websites or cause other issues, such as inserting advertisements or tracking your Web-browsing activities. It also re-launches itself regularly and may cause corresponding alerts from default macOS security features. Most users should remove NetModuleSearch through a compatible security service promptly, as part of keeping their browsers safe.

The Software that will not Accept No for an Answer

Since hackers and disreputable software developers are monetarily-driven, like everyone else, Windows users are at the most risk from their attention and products, ranging from Trojans to unwanted browser extensions. Minorities like Mac users also are at risk, though, as many computer owners might blithely forget. Throughout 2020 and 2021, NetModuleSearch serves as a more than adequate reminder.

NetModuleSearch is a Mac-based PUP or Potentially Unwanted Program – software that may harm the user's security, performance, or UI accessibility but isn't threatening for a Trojan classificatio sufficiently. It launches automatically and will continue doing so if its launch fails for reasons such as security utilities blocking it. It also may reset Web browsers' homepages or search engines, track the user as they browse the Web, launch pop-ups or inject advertisements.

Malware experts indicate the most common symptom of an unwanted NetModuleSearch installation is a repeating 'NetModuleSearchDaemon will damage your computer' prompt from standard macOS security services. Since NetModuleSearch (or NetModuleSearchDaemon, as seen here) uses a highly-invasive startup routine, the prompt can appear almost constantly, preventing users from properly interacting with the PC.

Ejecting a Module that's not Worth the Trouble

NetModuleSearch provides no significant advantages to users who ignore the security warnings in favor of making it an active part of their Web-browsing experience. As a general safety guideline, malware researchers also recommend that users not regularly use browsers with additional adware, browser-hijacking extensions or other PUPs. In most cases, the result is users exposing their computers to unnecessary and often-corrupted advertisements, fake updates, drive-by-download exploits and other attacks.

While malware researchers haven't identified its installation methods, they can confirm multiple reports of users receiving NetModuleSearch installations without their permission. Non-consensual installers can use bundles, such as adding NetModuleSearch to other software, including modified video player updates, cracks for games, or various torrents. For macOS users, the safest download options include the official application Store, which provides some curation over the available downloads for public safety.

Users may confirm an apparent NetModuleSearch installation by double-checking for auto-startup-related components, such as files in the 'Library/LaunchAgents' and 'Library/LaunchDaemons' folders. However, they should default to having Mac-compatible anti-adware or anti-malware solutions for safely removing NetModuleSearch.

NetModuleSearch doesn't care if its users want to use its features or not, and that's a powerful sign of a Potentially Unwanted Program with the emphasis on the middle word in the term. As users of any operating system should know, programs behaving so suspiciously rarely have anything to offer worth taking.

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