How To Remove SearchArchive Adware From Mac OS

Proper Guide To Delete SearchArchive Adware

SearchArchive Adware is one more precarious computer infection which tends to silently infiltrate the Mac devices and cause various hazardous issues in the machine. Soon after getting into your PC, this nasty adware makes unwanted changes in default browser’s settings. It assigns its own malicious domain as the new home page and new tab URLs without even asking for your approval and grabs full control over the entire browser. This potentially undesired threat forces users to use a bogus search engine that either delivers results powered by genuine search tools or provides inorganic outcomes that have no relation with your queries.

More About SearchArchive Adware:

SearchArchive Adware is able to monitor your Online actions and gather important data regarding your preferences. These details are then utilized by the advertisers for generating and displaying eye-catching advertisements. And hence, due to its presence, you are bombarded with a number of annoying ads and pop-ups throughout the day that disrupts your web sessions badly. These ads are in multiple forms such as coupons, deals, banners, offers, promo codes, discounts etc. They work on pay-per-click scheme and earn revenues for the creators upon being clicked. Clicking on these adverts though can be very risky for your system’s security as they might include vicious links and redirect you to potentially infectious sites that are filled with malicious objects.

SearchArchive Adware keeps performing malevolent acts in the background all the time which consumes huge amount of memory resources and drags down the overall PC performance severely. It causes the device to respond slower than ever before and take more than usual time to complete any task. This nasty PUP displays fake update notifications stating that your Adobe Flash Player is out-dated and needs to be updated quickly. You are also given an update link but once you click on it, you end up with installing another PUP in your work-station. And hence, ignore these fake messages and avoid tapping on any suspicious links or button. SearchArchive Adware enables remote criminals to get access to your machine and execute evil deeds inside for their delicate welfare.

Ways To Spread SearchArchive Adware:

This nasty malware often sneaks into your work-station through bundled freeware applications when you install the downloaded program via Recommended or Quick mode. Besides, it can also get into your device via span emails, peer to peer file sharing, malicious websites and other notorious methods. Additionally, you might be displayed fake update notifications which claim that your Adobe Flash Player needs to be updated quickly and then trapped into installing rogue software.

Tips To prevent Malware Intrusion:

To prevent your computer from being infected with SearchArchive Adware or other similar parasites, it is necessary to be very careful while browsing the net and stay away from those malicious sources. Always choose Advanced or Custom configuration settings while installing a freeware program and opt out all the unnecessary components. Moreover, ignore suspicious emails coming from unknown source as you never know what they contain. Also, avoid visiting malevolent sites and sharing peer to peer network. And don’t forget to use a genuine anti-malware application and keep it up-to-date.

Threat Summary

Name: SearchArchive Adware

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Potentially unwanted program

Functionality: Aims to redirect people to third-party websites, promote sponsored products, services and programs and make Online revenues for the developers, Also steal users’ personal and confidential information and share them with hackers for evil purposes.

Symptoms: Intrusive ads, default Internet search engine, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft, new tab settings. 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: Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your computer with a powerful anti-malware tool.

Other Common Symptoms of This Adware:

SearchArchive Adware can be also responsible for the intrusion of many other Online infections like rootkits, Trojans, worms, spyware etc. as well since it is able to deactivate all the running security tools and open backdoors for them. This nasty malware can also steal your personally identifiable information such as user IDs, passwords, credit card, debit card, bank account and other financial details. Cyber actors can misuse your sensitive data for generating illicit profits and cause you to suffer a big financial loss. And hence, looking at all these threats, you are strongly recommended to remove SearchArchive Adware from the device quickly.

Remove Files and Folders Related to SearchArchive Adware

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