Remove Searches.network from Mac system

Simple steps to delete Searches.network browser hijacker

Searches.network is deceptive search engine virus that replaces the default homepage and search engine of your browser. It is nasty browser hijacker malware infection which is able to infect all versions Mac operating system without having permission. It is browser based malware that installs malicious extensions on your browser to carry out its malevolent attacks on your PC. This dubious threat is cunning system threat which is specifically designed by hackers to cheat innocent users and make illegal profit.

Further, it is promoted through some potentially unwanted applications, a browser hijacker that users install through deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer. Typically, this malware promotes fake search engines by modifying some of the browsers settings. Additionally, it will silently invade into your machine and contaminate your main browser such as Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera and many others. After getting full access of your browser, it will make several unwanted modifications in order to redirect users to webcrawler.com and other questionable search engine.

The main motive of Searches.network virus is to show sponsored search results and unwanted third party ads on the computer to promote its partner websites and earn commission. Hackers behind this use this type of infection to redirect web traffic on low quality websites that users try to avoid normally because there is great chance being a victim of online fraud by visiting such phishing websites. Threats like this are hard to delete because they make unnecessary changes to system and browser settings and do not allow you to reverse those changes. Thus, for all these reasons, we suggest you to remove rogue applications immediately from the machine upon detection.

Intrusion tactics of Searches.network:

According to experts, Searches.network appears in browsers settings when users install PUA through deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer. Such types of installers are designed to install malware like ransomware, Trojan type malware and so on. Also, it is common that potentially unwanted applications are distributed into your system through the installation setups of other programs. This misleading marketing method is called bundling. What’s developers do is that they hide information about such additional apps behind custom or advance settings and do not reveal the information properly. Thus, while installing programs, users rush and skip all those available settings unchanged and unchecked and often leads inadvertent installation of unwanted software. On the other hand, unwanted downloads or installations can be caused either by clicking on deceptive or untrustworthy advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts.

How to prevent intruding unwanted apps?

To prevent intrusion of malware and other harmful viruses, you must always pay close attention while downloading and installing software. It is advised to always research content before downloading or installing it. Only use official websites and direct links to download any kind of applications. Third party installer and cracking tools are illegal to use as they often cause computer infections. While installing, read terms and agreements carefully and chose custom or advance options and decline downloading supplementary apps, tools and so on. Intrusive ads look ordinary however they redirect to highly questionable websites. So, you are strongly advised not to click on such ads.

Remove Searches.network

Complete removal process regarding browser hijacker has been mentioned below under this article. Go through it so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. To keep computer harmless and secured from further more damage, we advised you to take quick and immediate steps and use Combo Cleaner that can remove Searches.network and all installed browser hijackers soon from the system.

Short summary

Name: Searches.network

Type: Browser hijacker, Redirect, Search hijacker, unwanted new tab, toolbar, Mac virus, Mac malware

Affected browser settings: default search engine, new tab and homepage

Symptoms: modifies internet browser settings without permission and encourage users to visit hijacker’s websites in order to browse the internet by using their search engines as well as your Mac become slower than as usual.

Distribution methods: software bundling, deceptive pop-up ads, corrupted websites, executable files, harmful links, fake Flash Player Installers and many more.

Damage: display of unwanted and annoying advertisements, internet browsing tracking (possibly privacy issues) and redirects to dubious websites.

Removal: In order to remove Searches.network, you are advised to follow given below step by step removal instructions or you can use reliable anti-malware removal tool.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Searches.network

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