How to remove ElementarySignalSearch from Mac

Easy tips to delete ElementarySignalSearch

ElementarySignalSearch is an adware because it generates unwanted, intrusive advertisements. Also, the app is known to alter the browsers’ settings to promote address of a fake search engine, i.e., the app has the character of browser hijacker as well. Like other adware and browser hijacker application, it can spy on users’ browsing session and collect their browsing based data. It is uncommon that people download ElementarySignalSearch intentionally. This is the reason why the app is deemed to be potentially unwanted application or PUA in short.

It is common that adware-type applications deliver unwanted banners, pop-ups, coupons and surveys designed to promote questionable pages that are designed extract personal information and promote shady applications. Also, the ads generated by adware like ElementarySignalSearch can cause unwanted downloads/ installations by running certain malicious scripts. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to click on ads that appear because of this type of application running on Mac.

ElementarySignalSearch also has browser hijacker characteristic. It promotes a fake search engine by altering the browsers’ settings such as address of default search engine, homepage and new tab page. It forces users to visit some specific website all the time when they open their browsing tab and enter any query on the URL search bar. It is worthy to mention that fake search engines show results generated by legit search engines, although there are fake search engines that generate inaccurate results, display ads.

Browser hijackers are designed to restrict/ deny users’ access to the browsers’ settings. Thus, restoration of the browser settings will be possible only of their removal from the system. Another reason to not have any PUAs installed on system is that these apps usually have data tracking feature. They can track and collect the data include:

• IP addresses,
• Search queries,
• Viewed pages,
• URLs visited,
• ISP,
• Geo-locations and etc.

These data could be shared with and/or sold to third parties/ potent crooks. To sum up, the presence of potentially unwanted apps on system can trigger severe system infections, privacy issues, identity theft, monetary loss and much more. To avoid any such issues from happening in future, you should remove all suspicious apps and browser extensions/ plug-ins right away. Below the post, you will find complete manual as well as automatic guide to perform their removal.

How did ElementarySignalSearch enter my system?

One way to distribute ElementarySignalSearch is to make its installer appear to be an installer of legit app. The app is distributed via a fake installer disguised as the installer for Adobe Flash Player. It is important to know third party installers can infect systems with malware. Also, users often download and install PUAs with other programs –when the PUAs are included within the downloaders/ installers of other programs as additional offers. Usually, users can decline the unwanted offers via available checkboxes or through Custom/Advanced settings. When users leave those settings unchecked and unchanged, they lead to the inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. Intrusive ads can cause PUAs download/ installation ads well by running certain scripts, upon being clicked.

How to prevent PUAs installation?

Third party downloaders and installers, p2p networks, questionable, unofficial websites and other similar sources should not be used to download/ install software- they often distribute unwanted, potentially malicious files, programs. Furthermore, it is worth remembering to use Custom/Advanced option during download/ installation moment to look for the included offers to download/ install unwanted apps and decline them before finalizing the installation. Intrusive ads appear legit and ordinary, however, they often redirect to various unreliable pages or sometimes cause unwanted downloads by running certain scripts. If you encounter any such ads/ redirects, immediately check the system for unwanted apps suspicious browser extensions/ plug-ins for their removal.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ElementarySignalSearch

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