How to remove search pulse browser hijacker from Mac

Process to delete search pulse browser hijacker

search pulse is described as rogue webpage or unwanted advertising tools that are mainly designed by hackers to enhance the user’s web browsing experience by improving web searches as well as also claims to provide best and quick search results. Usually, it operates by modifying browsers in order to promote home.serachpulse.net which is described as fake search engine. Judging at the first appearance, this searching site seems legitimate and useful search provider. But regrettably, it’s all claims are bogus and phony.

Moreover, search pulse has the ability to inject all kinds of web browsers without your knowledge. After intrusion, these apps also change browsers homepage, default search engine and new tab to the addresses of their illegitimate web searchers. It is also able to corrupt system files and Windows registries as well as create duplicate file by using same name. Due to this, users are insisted to visit hijacker’s websites whenever they open their new browsing tab/windows. Thus, it becomes impossible for users to reset those changes until they remove installed browser hijacker.

Apart from aforementioned details, it can track users browsing habits and other details including IP addresses, pages viewed, entered search queries, geo-location and other similar details. After that all details are shared with third parties who misuse it to generate revenue as much as possible. Thus, presence of data tracking content on computer causes system infiltrations/infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses and also identity theft. So, to avoid all such circumstances, removal of search pulse and all installed browser hijackers is mandatory.

How it intrude?

search pulse has its own official websites. However, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of user’s browser hijackers invades into your computer without having your permission. Developers behind this infiltrate browser hijacking apps in your system by using intrusive advertising and bundling. As you know, bundling is the silent installation of unwanted apps that take place along with regular software. In most cases, developers know that many people rush installation process and that is why they hide information about bundled apps behind custom or advance settings of these procedures. Thus, skipping installation setups and clicking on intrusive advertisements often cause installation of potentially unwanted applications.

How to avoid installation of PUAs?

In order to avoid harmful infections, you are highly recommended to be very careful while updating/installing any software as well as browsing internet. You may know that intrusive ads look legitimate but once you clicked they redirect you to unreliable websites. In most cases, those ads are delivered by adware type PUPs. So, you must avoid clicking on such ads. All programs and files should only be downloaded by using official websites and direct links. Third party installers should not be used as they are often monetized by using bundling method. To keep device harmless and secured from further more damage, you are advised to remove search pulse and all browser hijackers as soon as possible from the infected Mac PC.

Threat summary

Name: search pulse

Type: Browser Hijacker for MacOS

Short Description: Search pulse aims to heavily modify the settings of installed web browsers so that it can start pushing all sorts of third-party ads. The app can steal sensitive data from the affected system and browser.

Symptoms: You may start noticing system performance issues as well as many redirects to bogus web pages pushed by Search pulse.

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

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

Removal process: in order to keep the system web browser safe and secure from more issues, you are highly suggested to remove infiltrated browser hijacker by using strong antimalware tool.

Remove Files and Folders Related to search pulse

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