How To Remove GoSearch22 Virus From Mac OS

Proper Guide To Delete GoSearch22 Virus

GoSearch22 Virus is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the adware category. Once this nasty threat successfully infiltrates The Mac computers, it starts serving intrusive advertisements and interrupts internet browsing severely. The sole motive of the creators of this malware is to boost traffic for third-party websites and make quick online revenues from rookie users. And therefore, soon after getting into the targeted systems, it starts contributing evil activities in the background to accomplish its purpose. This nasty adware displays eye-catching banners, deals, offers, discounts, surveys, coupons etc. and tries to make people click on them in order to earn revenues via pay-per-click mechanism.

Depth Analysis of GoSearch22 Virus:

Ads by GoSearch22 Virus include sponsored links and once clicked, redirect users to third-party domains that are trying to increase their popularity and gain more visits. However, it’s not necessary that all these sites are harmless and safe to visit. You might be also redirected to potentially dangerous sites that are filled with malevolent contents and end up with getting more notorious infections in the machine. At some sites, visitors are presented with fake security alerts, error messages, update notifications etc. and then deceived into installing rogue software.

GoSearch22 Virus inserts various spying cookies on the web browsers and constantly monitors users’ online activities. It gathers vital information such as URLs of accessed sites, IP addresses, geolocations, search queries typed and so on. The collected data is then utilized for generating and displaying attractive-looking advertisements in order to get as many hits on them as possible and earn maximum profits. It is important to mention here that this notorious adware can also steal your personal and confidential information relating to credit card and banking details that could be misused by scammers for generating illicit profits.

GoSearch22 Virus is also used for promoting sites which claim that the computer is running an outdated software, such as Adobe Flash Player. In fact, instead of downloading Flash Player updater, victims will end up with downloading high-risk malware. It messes with vital system files which assure efficient device functioning and prevents many running apps as well as drivers from working in an appropriate manner.  This nasty PUP slows down the overall PC performance drastically as it consumes enormous amount of memory resources and increases the usage of CPU. And hence, an instant GoSearch22 Virus removal is strongly recommended.

Threat Summary

Name: GoSearch22 Virus 

Type: Mac virus, adware, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Shows intrusive ads, makes changes to default browser’s settings, Redirects Mac users to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators.

Symptoms: Constant appearance of annoying adverts, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool is recommended.

Infiltration of GoSearch22 Virus:

Adware, browser hijackers and other PUPs are mostly spread through bundling method along with several other free elements. They are added to a software package with regular software and while downloading and installing the program using the pre-set configuration options, you often end up with installing adware or browser hijacker in the system as well together with the main software. Moreover, clicking on vicious ads or links, using Peer-to-peer sharing networks, third-party downloaders, unofficial sites etc. also lead to PUP intrusion.

And hence, to prevent unwanted installations, you should be very careful while browsing the net. Always select trustworthy sources to download software and opt for Custom or Advanced settings to install it. Here you can opt-out all the components that give a concerning look or you don’t want to be installed in your machine and pick only the desired application. In case your system is already infected with this adware, you must remove GoSearch22 Virus from the Mac PC without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to GoSearch22 Virus

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 GoSearch22 Virus 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 GoSearch22 Virus 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 GoSearch22 Virus. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.