Remove ApolloSearch Adware From Mac

Simple Steps To Uninstall ApolloSearch

ApolloSearch is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that includes traits of both adware as well as a browser hijacker. Once this nasty threat gets into the Mac computers, it serves tons of annoying ads and pop-ups all over the day and interrupts users’ web sessions badly. The main motive of the creators of this adware is to boost traffic for third-party websites and make quick online revenues from rookie users. Ads delivered by this PUP usually contain sponsored links and when clicked, redirect victims to affiliate sites that are trying to increase their popularity and gain more visits.

Depth Analysis of ApolloSearch:

ApolloSearch keeps rerouting users to third-party web pages all the time for which, owners of the sites pay commission to its developers for the promotion. By displaying eye-catching offers, banners, coupons, deals, discounts etc., this notorious threat tries to gain users’ attention. These adverts are based on pay-per-click mechanism and every time people click on them, they earn revenues for the creators. We highly advise to avoid interacting with these adverts as they might also reroute you to various scam, phishing, and even malware-laden sites that host trojan, spyware, ransomware and other destructive viruses.

ApolloSearch also makes alterations to default browser’s settings and sets its own perilous URL as the new home page, search engine and new tab preferences. It forces people to surf through a deceptive search tool which only delivers inorganic results mixed with commercial contents and sponsored links right at the top. In order to get automatically activated with each device reboot and to remain persistence, this nasty adware also modifies the settings of registry by making vicious entries in it. It ruins important system files that are essential for smooth PC functioning and prevents many running apps as well as drivers from working appropriately.

PUPs like ApolloSearch come with data-tracking ability. It inserts tracking cookies on the affected browser and constantly monitors users’ online activities. It gathers all their personal and confidential data such as credit card and bank details, user IDs, passwords etc. and exposes them to cyber hackers for evil purposes. Scammers can misuse your sensitive information for generating illicit revenues. And thus, presence of this notorious threat in your Mac may result in severe privacy issues, identity theft and huge financial loss. So, an instant ApolloSearch removal is highly required.

Ways To Distribute Unwanted Apps:

This potentially unwanted program (PUP) can easily get on the target systems in a bundle with freeware and shareware. This usually takes place when users download a freeware from unreliable sites like soft32.com, softonic.com, download.com, cnet.com etc. and then install it using the pre-set configuration settings. The Recommended or Quick installation options don’t reveal the objects added to the download list and hence, they easily manage to enter the system without users’ knowledge.

For avoiding this, you need to start monitoring the installation of the freeware because there might be several programs that have been involved in its distribution. For getting the ability to prevent this adware, you should start the installation of the freeware by selecting a custom or advanced installation method. After doing so, make sure you opt out of optional components. In case your device is already infected with this adware, you must remove ApolloSearch from the Mac computer without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to ApolloSearch

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