How to remove Ib-search.com from Mac

Complete guide to delete Ib-search.com

Ib-search.com is a fake search engine that shows results generated by some legit web search engine. It is being promoted by a browser hijacker – a potentially unwanted app that does not require users’ approval to infiltrate in. it is distributed using various deceptive techniques.

Rightly after the successful installation, the hijacker virus hijacks the browsers in-use and alters the crucial browsers’ settings such as browsers’ homepage, new tab pages and search engine options and set the promoted URL in place of them.

As a result of the alterations made, the users are forced to visit Ib-search.com website all the time when they open their browsing tab and enter any queries on the URL search bar. The site checks the users’ geo-location and shows results generated by Bing.com or possibly some other web search engines.

It could redirect to some other fake search engine as well. Researchers noted that the website was redirecting to nearbyme.io fake search engine –a special type of illegitimate search engine. Regardless the cases, the result pages often contain various sponsored links and ads to suspicious pages.

It is not possible for you to return to the previous browsers’ settings option till the Ib-search.com virus presents in. it can reassign any changes made to the browsers’ settings or may even to restrict/ deny the complete access to them.

What’s more, the PUA has the dangerous data tracking potential. This allows it to track the web session and collect the data related to the victims’ browsing activities. This way, it can collect the data include IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISPs, Geo-locations and etc.

These data could be shared with and/or sold to third parties/ potent crooks. Thus, the presence of the potentially unwanted app can cause severe privacy issues, identity theft, monetary loss and even more severe consequences.

To prevent any such issues from happening in future, you are strongly recommended to remove Ib-search.com virus right away. Below the post, you will find complete manual instruction to delete it. Follow it or use some reputable antivirus tool for its automatic removal.

How did Ib-search.com enter my system?

Pretty often, unwanted download/ installation is caused through downloaders/ installers for free programs. Users agree to download or install PUAs when they do not check and change the Advanced/ Custom or other settings or checkboxes in downloaders/ installers.

Also, users download or install unwanted software by clicking on deceptive ads designed to execute certain scripts or through fake installers. Those ads and installers are often promoted on various untrustworthy websites.

How to avoid PUAs installation?

Programs should always be downloaded from official websites and direct links. Downloads from other sources can be malicious. Downloaders and installers with checkboxes or settings like Custom/Advanced should be checked for unwanted apps for their removal.

Intrusive ads may appear legit and ordinary. But, they always redirect to various questionable pages such as gambling, adult dating and pornography and may cause unwanted download by running certain scripts. Such ads originate from unreliable pages. Neither the ads nor the pages displayed these ads should be trusted.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Ib-search.com

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 Ib-search.com 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 Ib-search.com 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 Ib-search.com. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.