How To Remove TechGrid Hijacker From Mac

TechGrid: Complete Uninstall Steps

TechGrid is an adware-type program that also includes qualities of a browser hijacker. Once this nasty threat successfully gets into the Mac computers, it makes changes to default browser’s settings to promote fake search engines. It also runs intrusive advertisement campaigns and triggers redirects to pre-defined websites. This type of potentially unwanted program (PUP) usually sneaks into the targeted PCs by stealth using deceptive technique like software bundling and then makes alterations to browser’s settings without even asking for any approval. It assigns its own perilous URL as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page and acquires full control over the entire browser.

TechGrid Manipulates Search Results:

When TechGrid is installed on your Mac, each time you open a new tab/window, you are redirected to an address of a fake search provider. This bogus search engine is not even able to provide results, so it reroutes to Yahoo or other genuine ones. Nonetheless, the search results delivered by it are filled with ads and affiliated links which redirect to sponsored pages rather than the ones you were looking for. This nasty PUP floods your system screen with an excessive amount of annoying advertisements all over the day that makes your web sessions very complex.

TechGrid ads come in multiple forms such as coupons, deals, offers, discounts, pop-ups, banners, etc. They are designed to generate pay-per-click income. So, the more they are clicked, the more money falls straight into the developers’ pocket. We strongly suggest avoid interacting with these adverts as they may redirect you to several phishing/scam, malware-laden, tech support scam, gaming, gambling, porn, and other insecure portals. Furthermore, they may trigger download and installation of vicious software upon clicked by running certain scripts.

TechGrid ads are indeed very eye-catching as they are based on users’ web activities. This nasty hijacker inserts various tracking cookies on the Internet browsers and keeps monitoring victims’ actions whatever they do online. It collects several browsing-related as well as private data such as IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, sites visited, links clicked, saved passwords, credit card and banking details. Afterwards, the gathered data is shared with third-parties and can be utilized to customize ads, make fraudulent transactions, online purchases, and so forth that may lead to significant monetary losses. Therefore, an instant TechGrid removal is strongly recommended from the Mac.

Ways To Propagate TechGrid:

The most common method used by PUP developers to spread their malicious apps is software bundling. These potentially unwanted programs are included in downloaders and installers of other free applications as additional offers. When users download a freeware from third-party site and then perform careless installation process (ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, choosing pre-set options, etc.), they end up with contaminating your PC unwanted threats.

The Quick or Recommended configuration settings usually don’t disclose the contents added to the software package. On the other hand, the Custom or Advanced options provide you complete control over the incoming downloads and allow you to opt-out the contents that look suspicious or you don’t want to be installed. Moreover, third-party downloaders (or installers) Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, unofficial websites, and other untrustworthy sources should not be used and rely only on official pages, and direct download links for your applications. If your PC is already infected with this hijacker, you must remove TechGrid from the Mac as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to TechGrid

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove TechGrid from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete TechGrid add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to TechGrid. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.