How to remove Yahoo Search Virus

Complete Yahoo Search Virus removal guide

Yahoo is a legit web browser that promotes a domain named Search.yahoo.com, used as the browser homepage or default Internet search engine. Recently, there is a rise in browser hijackers (particularly ones developed by Spigot Inc,) that redirect Internet users to the search.yahoo.com website without users’ consent. Yahoo Search Virus is one of such apps. Its intrusion happens without users’ consent typically with other software download. In some cases, fake updating tool or ads from malicious sites can lead the malware infection. Due to such stealthy way of infiltration, the app is also called potentially wanted program.

 Following successful installation, the Yahoo Search Virus changes the browser new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine settings are assigned to search.yahoo.com regardless of the type of browsers installed. For example, even if you are using Google web browser, the homepage and the search engine of the browser appears as search.yahoo.com instead of the default Google.com. Several applications called ‘helper objects are installed to prevent the users to revert the settings to the default. This means, the users are forced to visit the search.yahoo.com all the time when they open their browsing tab and enter queries on search URL bar. The constant redirections impact on the general working performances of the web browsing app.

Since the search.yahoo.com redirect is result out of browser hijacker injection, the results displayed can take the users to some bogus websites and trick people to additional potentially unwanted apps or even malware download/installation. The Yahoo Search Virus developers can allow third parties to promote their programs/programs and services. For this, these people design various intrusive ads and display on each visiting pages online. There is a risk of getting scammed and end up into downloading rogue security apps, paying for fake services and disclosing personal information to third party/crooks. Further, the PUP can track the users’ browsing session and collect the data related to users’ web browsing activities. The collected data include:

• IP addresses,
• Search queries,
• Viewed pages,
• URL visited,
• ISP,
• Type of OS and browser used and so on

These data could be used in illegal purposes to generate revenue that can cost on privacy and can cause identity exposure. To prevent any big issues from happening, immediately remove Yahoo Search Virus from the browser and the system.

PUPs come bundled with other software

Typically, potentially unwanted programs are distributed via software bundling method. In this method, stealth installation of unwanted apps takes place with some other software. The developers hide the bundled apps behind the Custom/Advanced option of the download/install option. When users rush these setups and skip most of the installation steps, they often lead the inadvertent installation of unwanted apps.

In order to prevent this situation, you should pay close attention to the download/install moment. Always use official websites and direct links for any software download. Avoid p2p networks, free file hosting sties and third party downloaders or installers that are mostly often used to get monetized through bundling. Also, pay attention during the installation- analyze each step using Custom/Advanced option and manually opt out all additionally attached apps. For betterment, employ some antivirus tool that provides adequate protection to the device.

A quick glance of Yahoo Search Virus

Type: browser hijacker, Mac virus

Symptoms: intrusive ads, diminished browser speed, visibility of pages are not clear, browser extensions, add-ons, plug-ins and changed homepage, new tab and default search engine of browser

Distribution: bundled software, infectious hyperlinks, fake software update

Damages: Other PUPs or even malware infiltration, data tracking (possibly privacy issues), diminished system performance

Removal: To remove Yahoo Search Virus, use some reliable antivirus tool or use step-by-step guideline provided at the end of the article

Remove Yahoo Search Virus

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove Yahoo Search Virus from the device.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Yahoo Search Virus

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 Yahoo Search Virus 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 Yahoo Search Virus 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 Yahoo Search Virus. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.