How to remove InfoSearch Ads from Mac OS X

Tips for InfoSearch Ads removal

InfoSearch Ads is a rogue app classified as adware. It operates by enabling the placement of various intrusive advertisements on any sites that the users visit. This app also shares the traits with browser hijackers that promote some fake search engines by modifying web browsers’ settings. Additionally, this app can track the users’ browsing session and collect the data related to their web browsing preferences. Users usually install the app unintentionally – the reason why the app is called potentially unwanted application.

InfoSearch Ads delivers the adverts in any forms including pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons and others similar. Such ads diminish the web browsing quality as they are overlay with third party graphical content that limits the websites’ visibility and browsing speed. On clicked, such ads might cause redirects to some untrustworthy or even malicious pages or run malicious scripts to download/install unwanted program.

As said earlier, the InfoSearch Ads has the browser hijacking app quality as well. Such apps operate by changing the settings of installed browsers to promote a fake search engine. This app promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net through this way. It causes the redirects to this domain all the time when users open their browsing tab and enter any query on the search URL bar. The site displays search results generated by legit searching tool- search.yahoo.com from Yahoo web browser. Any changes to the settings are not possible due to the infection.

Furthermore, it is common for any PUPs to track the users’ browsing information. This way, the InfoSearch Ads can collect the data include IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISP, Geo-locations, Type of OS and browser used and so on. These data could be shared to potent crooks who misuse them into various fraudulent activities that cost on privacy, cause financial loss and even create the identity exposure. To avoid any such things from happening in future, immediately remove InfoSearch Ads from the device.

PUPs come bundled with other software

Software bundling method is most commonly used to distribute this type of app. In this method, stealth installation of unwanted apps takes place with some other software. What the developers do is hide the bundled apps behind the Custom/Advanced option of the download/install option. When users rush these setups and skip most of the installation steps, they often lead the inadvertent installation of unwanted apps.

In order to prevent this situation, you should pay close attention to the download/install moment. Always use official websites and direct links for any software download. Avoid p2p networks, free file hosting sties and third party downloaders or installers that are mostly often used to get monetized through bundling. Also, pay attention during the installation- analyze each step using Custom/Advanced option and manually opt out all additionally attached apps. For betterment, employ some antivirus tool that provides adequate protection to the device.

A quick glance of InfoSearch Ads

Type: Adware, Mac virus

Symptoms: intrusive ads, diminished browser speed, visibility of pages are not clear, browser extensions, add-ons, plug-ins and changed homepage and new tab page on browser

Distribution: bundled software, infectious hyperlinks, fake software update

Damages: Other PUPs or even malware infiltration, data tracking (possibly privacy issues), diminished system performance

Removal: To remove InfoSearch Ads, use some reliable antivirus tool or use step-by-step guideline provided at the end of the article

Remove InfoSearch Ads

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove InfoSearch Ads from the device.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove InfoSearch Ads:

Remove the related items of InfoSearch Ads using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing InfoSearch Ads issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (InfoSearch Ads) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to InfoSearch Ads removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter. In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to InfoSearch Ads still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove InfoSearch Ads plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in InfoSearch Ads removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete InfoSearch Ads (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.