Remove Searchnets.xyz from Mac computer

Easy process to delete Searchnets.xyz

Searchnets.xyz is Mac browser hijacker also known as redirect virus. Browser hijackers alter main browser settings without user’s permission. This occurs when the browser is controlled by potentially unwanted program. These programs are mainly spread through software bundles. Simply said, it is suspicious site that hosts a hoax search engine. It tends to force Mac users to use its deceptive services. Despite this, such apps also have data tracking abilities which are used to spy on users browsing activity.

Once infiltrated, these browser hijackers take complete control over the target browser including Mozilla Firefox, Google chrome, Edge, Safari and others. Following that, it promotes fake search engine like Searchnets.xyz by modifying default homepage and search engine settings. Being a fake search engine, you will never get any useful information as well as get redirected to annoying or troublesome websites. Needless to say, such programs are also capable to silently gather browsing related data.

The collected data includes visited websites, entered search queries, geo-locations pages viewed etc. Sometimes, they might also gather your sensitive details as well. After that, all gathered information are shared with other advertisers or misuse those data in order to generate revenue. In short, presence of data tracking software on system leads into serious privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft. So, you should remove Searchnets.xyz from Mac as quickly as possible.

Distribution methods of Searchnets.xyz:

Searchnets.xyz is distributed into the computer using several intrusive techniques. Some of the most common ways are given below:

• While downloading and installing freeware programs from third party websites without knowing their terms and conditions as well as skipping custom or advanced options.
• During updating system software and application from irrelevant sources like as eMule or torrent sites.
• With the attachments of spam emails which contain several kinds of malicious files like word file, exe file, doc file etc especially received through unknown addresses.
• While clicking on malicious and suspicious links even accidentally.

How to prevent intruding unwanted apps?

It is recommended to research about software before downloading and installing it. For any software and files download, use only official and trustworthy websites. Other download channels like third party installer, free file hoisting sites, p2p sharing networks etc should be avoided as they offer bundled content. Advertisements that appear on dubious pages should not be clicked as they redirect you to various questionable sites relating to gambling, pornography and so on. In case, if you encounter this kind of redirects then you must immediately remove it from the browser. To remove Searchnets.xyz and all infiltrated browser hijackers infections from Mac PC, users are advised to use some reputable antivirus removal tool.

Threat specification

Name: Searchnets.xyz

Threat Type: Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Mac malware, Mac virus

Affected Browser Settings: Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine

Infiltration: spam email attachments, updating system software, downloading unwanted programs, harmful websites, suspicious links and performing other online activities.

Symptoms: The homepage, new tab page and search engine in preferred web browser are set to display a hoax search engine associated with Searchnets.xyz.

Damage: display lots of unwanted and annoying advertisements, redirect to unreliable websites, loss of private information, internet browser tracking (possibly privacy issues).

Removal process: Both manual and automatic malware removal guide have been described below under this article.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Searchnets.xyz

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 Searchnets.xyz 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 Searchnets.xyz 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 Searchnets.xyz. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.