Remove fast browser search Hijacker From Mac

fast browser search: Easy Delete Guide

fast browser search has been identified as a fraudulent search tool that usually infiltrates the Mac computers by stealth via software bundling technique. Soon after getting into the Mac systems, this potentially unwanted program changes the home page, new tab page and search engine addresses to fastbrowsersearch.com. To prevent users from restoring the modifications back to its normal form, this browser hijacking application installs several browser helper objects (BHOs) on the compromised browser. In addition, it also makes alterations to registry entries by making spiteful entries it to order to create persistence and get automatically activated with each PC startup.

fast browser search Provides Inorganic Search Results:

Fake search tools like fast browser search, Search.assistivedata.com and others are not able to produce results, so they often redirect to genuine ones like Yahoo, Bing, Google and others. In simple words, it delivers results powered by legitimate ones. Nonetheless, the search outcomes are still not organic as they often contain affiliated links and commercial contents that are placed on top of the results. While having this PUP in your Mac system, you are constantly served with intrusive advertisements all over the day that makes your web sessions very complex.

Ads by fast browser search come with redirecting ability and when clicked, take users to unknown web pages that they had never intended to visit. You need to be very attentive here because some pages might be filled with malicious objects due to visiting on which, you may end up with getting more notorious parasites in the machine. At some pages, you might be presented with fake error messages, security alerts, update notifications etc. and deceived into installing shady application. So, it is best to avoid interacting with these adverts no matter how eye-catching they appear at the first glance.

Browser hijackers like fast browser search have ability to track users’ activities whatever they do online and gather browsing-related information such as websites that they often visit, search queries they enter, links they click, IP addresses, geolocation and so on. Moreover, it can also steal your personal data like credit card and bank account details and all this information are later on sold to third-parties for revenue purposes. Your browsing preferences are utilized for advertising motives. Also, you sensitive data can be misused by the scammers for deceptive transactions or purchases that may result in huge financial loss. And so, a quick fast browser search removal is strongly required.

Infiltration Of fast browser search:

Browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) typically sneak into the target computers with freeware that users install improperly. These intrusive components are quite often promoted on unreliable third-party download sources like soft32.com, cnet.com, download.com, softonic.com etc. People often do not pay enough attention and skip through steps of the installation. For example, they click on “Next” button without looking. Freeware developers often attach extra objects into software installers. If you are not watchful enough, you will end up with notorious PUPs, like browser hijackers or adware.

If you select Advanced or Custom installation settings, you see the complete list of components that are included to the software package. At this point, you can deselect any suspicious-looking tool or program and only leave the desired software. In case your device is already infected with this PUP, you are strongly recommended to remove fast browser search from the Mac system without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to fast browser search

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 fast browser search 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 fast browser search 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 fast browser search. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.