How to remove SearchModule from Mac PC

Proper guide to delete SearchModule immediately

SearchModule is described as an advertisement based program that has been created by cyber crooks with sole motive to enter into user’s device and promote third party ads, pop-ups, banners, deals and so on. This perilous threat is created and distributed by hackers with an aim to make illegal online profit. Once it installed, it modifies browser and promotes a fake search engine and deliver various undesirable and dangerous advertisements. As we discussed so many time that most user download and install such apps unintentionally and that is why it has been classified as potentially unwanted applications.

More about SearchModule

Apart from this, most adware and browser hijackers have the ability to record browsing related data. Being as an advertising platform, SearchModule will keep displaying pop-up messages, ads, deals, discounts, offers, system notification alert messages etc on your desktop screen. In order to click on such ads, you will get redirected to harmful websites or they can also execute malicious scripts that are designed to download and install software like PUAs. Presence of this threat will disables the users to access certain authenticated websites. Moreover, it will make your device completely slow as well as also decrease the internet speed.

Despite this, SearchModule may have data tracking abilities. This type of application often monitor browsing activity including IP addresses, pages viewed, entered search queries, geo-location and other similar details. Sometimes, it can also collect your personal as well as financial details. It can also share all those details with hackers who misuse it in order to generate revenue. In short, presence of unwanted apps causes serious privacy issues, financial loss and even leads to identity exposure. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to remove this rogue application permanently from your Mac without wasting any further time.

How SearchModule infect my PC?

This dubious application invades into your computer by using various different methods. Some of them are third party freeware installation, social media network, infected media drives, spam emails, shareware and so on. After installation, it will disable all your security programs like antivirus and firewall security to avoid its removal and stay in your PC for long time to perform its annoying activities. It can also inject its malign codes to get started automatically on your computer. So, it is very important to delete SearchModule from infected Mac as early as possible.

How to avoid installation of PUAs?            

It is strongly recommended to be very careful while downloading and installing program and browsing internet. All downloads should be done only by using official and trustworthy sources. Other unreliable channels like peer to peer sharing websites, porn or torrent sites, unofficial pages and other similar channels should be avoided as they offer bundled content. While downloading/installing any program, it is important to read terms and agreements carefully, explore all possible options, use custom or advance settings and opt out for all included attached apps. Further, intrusive ads look harmless and ordinary as they redirect people to harmful sites. So, you must avoid clicking on such ads. If users encounter such kind of redirects you must remove it immediately.

Remove SearchModule

Manual malware removal instructions have been described below in step by step manner. Go through it so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. Apart from this process, you are advised you to use some reliable anti-malware removal tool that has the ability to remove SearchModule completely and safely from the Mac system.

Threat specification

Name: SearchModule

Type: Browser Hijacker, Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus

Short Description: Each browser application on your computer could get affected. The hijacker can redirect you and will display lots of advertisements.

Symptoms: Browser settings which are altered are the homepage, search engine and the new tab.

Distribution Method: Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, torrent file downloads, infected email attachments and many more.

Damage: Internet browser tracking (possibly privacy issues), display of unwanted ads and redirect to dubious websites.

Removal: In order to remove SearchModule, we recommend our user to follow given below removal instructions.

Remove Files and Folders Related to SearchModule

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