Remove SearchMainInfo from Mac

Proper guide to delete SearchMainInfo

SearchMainInfo is described as potentially unwanted applications which functions both as adware and a browser hijackers. This nasty virus is created by hackers with motive to cheat innocent users and make illegal profit by manipulating users search results and promoting dubious sites. This virus is able to hijack most popular and well known browsers like Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari and others. After installation, it changes certain browsers settings in order to promote address of fake search engine and display lots of intrusive advertisements.

SearchMainInfo: Depth Analysis

However, users do not download and install such apps intentionally and that’s why it has been classified as redirect virus. Typically, adware type programs like SearchMainInfo display lots of deceptive advertisements that are in form of pop-ups, banners, deals, discounts, offers and other similar type of ads. In case, if clicked those ads opened untrustworthy pages that cause lots of infections. In some cases, such ads are designed to cause download and installation of some unwanted software like PUAs by executing certain malicious scripts. Due to this reasons, you are advised not to click on such displayed ads.

Additionally, it is unfamiliar that SearchMainInfo functions as information tracking tool. These tools are mainly designed to record browsing related data such as entered search queries, geo-locations, address of visited websites or even sensitive details. Afterwards, people behind these activities shared all those details with third parties who misuse it in order to generate revenue in several ways. Therefore, data tracking software on PC might causes severe privacy issues, browsing safety, financial losses and even also leads to identity theft. So, you are advised to remove this type of apps immediately if installed.

Quick Glance

Name: SearchMainInfo

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

Mostly affected browsers: Google chrome, Opera, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox and many other browsers.

Targeted OS: This hijacker usually targets all versions of Windows based operating system including Windows 10.

Symptoms: visibility of pages are not clear, degrade internet browsing speed, unwanted browser extensions, add-ons and changed homepage and new tab page of your browser.

Distribution: fake software updates, software installers, harmful links, corrupted websites, porn or torrent sites, peer to peer sharing networks etc.

Damage: internet browser tracking (possibly privacy issues), financial loss and slow down PC performance, loss of private information, redirects to dubious websites.

Removal: You are advised to follow the removal instructions which have been described below in step by step manner to remove SearchMainInfo.

Distribution methods of SearchMainInfo:

SearchMainInfo enters into your Mac operating system by using various different methods. Some of the most common methods used by developers are bundles of free software programs, spam emails, harmful hyperlinks, malicious websites, porn or torrent sites, misleading ads and popups and other methods. Once installed successfully, this virus will disable your antivirus software and firewall security to make your device completely vulnerable. It will also inject several harmful threats and install malicious scripts on your computer without having user’s information. So, it is advised you to remove this virus immediately from the machine upon detection.

How to avoid infiltration of potentially unwanted applications?

To avoid intrusion of SearchMainInfo and other harmful virus or threats, you must be very cautious while downloading/updating software as well as online browsing. While installing, read the installation guide carefully till the end and choose custom or advance options of software setups. Always use official or verified sources to download applications. Further, intrusive ads look harmless and ordinary as they open various unreliable pages that contain dubious infections. So, you must avoid clicking on it. Finally, you must install reputable antivirus software and keeps it enabled and updated to prevent this nasty infection.

Remove SearchMainInfo

Manual malware removal instructions might be lengthy and time-consuming so that it takes lots of time to detect and delete this nasty threat. If you have much knowledge about such process then you can go through it otherwise you can use reliable anti-malware removal tool that can remove SearchMainInfo and all suspicious apps instantly from the system.

Remove Files and Folders Related to SearchMainInfo

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