How to remove Search.basicgeneration.com from Mac

Easy steps to delete Search.basicgeneration.com

Search.basicgeneration.com is a rogue URL address that appears as the default search engine, homepage and new tab page options on each and every installed browser, including Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox after installation of some adware/browser hijacker (e.g. Executiveoperation). It is like many fake web search engines that do not display any unique search results. The developers design such apps to serve intrusive ads and collect data regarding users’ web session.

More about Search.basicgeneration.com

Most often, PUAs come bundled with other software, such as freeware or shareware applications. The unwanted app that promotes Search.basicgeneration.com functions as both adware and browser hijacker.  Following to successful installation, it alters the browsers’ settings and sets the said URL to the homepage, new tab and search engine options to ensure that people would encounter this site all the time when they open their browsing tab and enter any queries on the URL bar. Depending on geo-location, Search.basicgeneration.com redirects to search.yahoo.com or Google.com.

Despite the redirects caused to some legit web searchers, the developers manage to insert various sponsored ads and links with each search result page. They promote some shady third party products, programs and services. Since Search.basicgeneration.com functions as adware as well, similar advertisements would appear even on the browser screen all the time in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, and in-text ads and similar. Such ads sometimes could run certain scripts to cause malware installation. In common, those browser based changes can easily be changed to the default. However, in this case, the browser hijacker application would be there to reset any changes made by them.

Furthermore, it is common that PUAs track users’ browsing session and collect the data related to their web browsing activities. The collected data could include IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISP, Type of OS and browser used and etc. These data could be shared with potent crooks who misuse them to generate illicit revenue. Thus, the data tracking can create the huge risk of privacy and cause identity exposure. To prevent all such things from happening in future, Search.basicgeneration.com removal is highly recommended. Below the post, you will find complete guide on how to remove the unwanted app from the device. Also, you can use some reputable antivirus tool to get rid of the infection automatically.

How did Search.basicgeneration.com intrude in?

Most of the times, users download/ install rogue apps with the download/ installation of some freeware apps from third party sites. As a rule, offers to download/ install the PUAs can be declined by un-ticking certain checkboxes or in Custom/Advanced and other similar settings of the setups. However, not all users check those settings. When they leave them unchecked and unchanged, they lead to the inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. In some cases, downloads/installations can be caused by clicking deceptive ads. However, only those ads can cause PUAs installation when they are designed to run certain scripts.

Threat Summary

Name: Search.basicgeneration.com

Threat type: Mac virus, Mac malware

Symptoms: Your Mac becomes slower than normal. You see unwanted pop-ups, and fake redirection to dubious websites

Distribution methods: deceptive pop-ups, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads

Damage: Internet browser tracking (potentially privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information

Malware removal: To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with reputable antivirus tool or follow manual instruction provided below the post

How to prevent PUAs infection?

Files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and direct download links. Untrustworthy downloading channels like p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloders/installers are often used to distribute dubious and/or bundled content. Further, it is crucial to check Custom/Advanced option and manually opt out from supplementary apps before completing the installation process. Intrusive ads always redirect to various unreliable pages such as gambling, adult dating and pornography and similar. If you encounter any such ads or redirects, check your system for unwanted apps/extensions and immediately their removal.

Search.basicgeneration.com removal guide

Below, you will find complete Search.basicgeneration.com manual removal instruction. However, if you want to go from the lengthy process, you can use some reputable antivirus tool that can find and delete all suspicious applications hidden on your computer.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Search.basicgeneration.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 Search.basicgeneration.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 Search.basicgeneration.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 Search.basicgeneration.com. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.