Remove SearchWebPortal from Mac OS X

Quick process to delete SearchWebPortal

SearchWebPortal is rogue applications that triggers annoying commercial ads and pop-ups on the infected system. This dubious app also has browser hijacker functionalities. As soon as this malware invade inside your PC, it start showing intrusive adverts campaigns, makes changes in web browser settings as well as promote dubious search engine. Appearance of this domain in your browser indicates that some potentially unwanted applications are already installed.

Such type of apps invades inside your device without user’s approval along with freeware and shareware programs. Typically, this app hijack the browser and assign the homepage, new tab pages and default search engine to a definite domain. Thus, various helper objects intrude along with PUPs to prevent users to reset the changes and hence they left no choice other than to visit the promoted domain during their browsing session.

This change significantly diminishes the web browsing experience. The aforementioned fake search engine does not show any relevant search results. All the time it manipulates the queries and redirects them to unreliable websites. Additionally, the PUPs have data tracking abilities. The can track the browsing session and collect the data including:

• Search queries,
• IP addresses,
• Viewed pages,
• Geo-locations etc

Remember that all those details are shared with third parties who misuse those data in order to gain profit. Thus, data tracking can result into huge risk of privacy issues and even identity exposure. Therefore, we highly recommend you to remove SearchWebPortal and the PUPs behind it as quickly as possible.

Intrusion techniques of SearchWebPortal:

Potentially unwanted applications are mostly distributed via bundling methods. In bundling, third party applications installation takes place with some regular software download. In case of some deceptive applications, the installation information of such is hidden behind custom/ advanced option of downloading and installation processes. On the top, users reckless rush during downloading software and skip through the crucial installation steps leaving the setups unchanged and unchecked. This is the reason why the secret installation of unwanted apps happens when users download/install any regular software. Some PUAs also spread by clicking on intrusive ads as they are designed to run harmful scripts.

How to avoid installation of PUAs?

In order to prevent installation of unwanted software and other dubious malware users are advised to pay close attention while installing/updating any software as well as surfing internet. To do so, use only official and trustworthy websites instead of using third party downloader/installer, unofficial pages, p2p sharing networks such as torrent clients etc, free file hosting sites and other sources as they are used to proliferate malware. Intrusive adverts seem legitimate as developers invest lots of resources into designing them.

Once clicked, redirect to other various websites or cause downloads and installations of unreliable software. While downloading, it is important to be very cautious and always choose custom or advance installation method so that you can see the additional hidden files and stop them from getting installed in the machine. To keep system safe and secure from more issue then you are highly advised to remove SearchWebPortal as soon as possible from Mac operating system

Threat specification

Name: SearchWebPortal

Type: Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus

Short Description: Infect your browser, show unwanted pop-up ads, redirect your browser on potentially harmful and phishing websites.

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

Distribution: bundled software, infectious hyperlinks, fake software update, suspicious websites, spam email attachments, porn or torrent sites, cracked software and many more.

Damages: Other PUPs or even malware infiltration, data tracking (possibly privacy issues), slow down system performance, loss of private information.

Removal: To remove possible malware infection from computer, use some reliable antivirus tool such as Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS or go through step-by-step guideline provided at the end of the article.

Remove Files and Folders Related to SearchWebPortal

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