Remove TotalSearchFunction Adware From Mac OS

Easy Steps To Remove TotalSearchFunction

TotalSearchFunction is a potentially unwanted application that includes traits of both adware and also a browser hijacker. Once this nasty PUP successfully gets into the Mac computers, it modifies default browser settings so that all searches go through a fraudulent search engine. This search site is a fake meaning it doesn’t generate any search results itself, it just forwards the users to genuine search tools like Google, Yahoo, Bing or others. Due to stealthy distribution and installation methods of this malware, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program, or PUP for short.

Depth Analysis of TotalSearchFunction:

TotalSearchFunction and other browser intruders modify browser settings like the home page, default search engine, new tab preference to promote their website. Acquiring complete control over the entire browser, it starts contributing evil activities in the background and wreaks havoc onto the machine. This notorious threat can collect browsing-related data such as search queries, visited sites, clicked ads or pages and personal information tool including devices’ info, geolocations, IP addresses and so on. All the gathered data is sold to unrelated third-parties who could misuse those stuffs for bad purposes.

Having a PUP like TotalSearchFunction installed in your work-station could sometimes result in less than secure ads exposure. For example, you might end up on a web portal which claims that your device needs a Flash Player to carry on, resulting in another PUP or malware infiltration. Due to this adware, you are bombarded with thousands of annoying ads all over the day which interrupts your web sessions badly. These ads are in multiple formats such as deals, offers, banners, coupons, pop-ups, surveys etc. that look very eye-catching and can easily gain your attention.

Ads by TotalSearchFunction are based on pay-per-click scheme and earn revenues for the developers when clicked on. We highly advise to avoid interacting with these adverts as they might contain vicious links and redirect people to highly infectious web pages that are filled with malevolent contents. Visiting on such hazardous sites may result in more malware-infections. And therefore, presence of this nasty adware in your Mac system may lead to malware intrusion, data loss, identity theft, huge financial loss, systems slowdowns and so on. And thus, an instant TotalSearchFunction removal is highly recommended.

Ways To Spread TotalSearchFunction:

Developers of potentially unwanted programs take an approach that would make the distribution of such applications legal – software bundling. Distributors, as well as software authors, are very eager on using this method as it is one of the best ways to monetize (this is also the reason why there are so many “free” apps around).

People usually like to download apps for free; they often access third-party sites. Here, they might download an installation package that contains extra or multiple components. If not being cautious, users accept the install without even noticing it. Generally, misplaced buttons, pre-ticked boxes, fine print text, and other tricks are used to mislead people.

This is why it is very necessary to be very careful during the installation of free software. Always select the Advanced or Custom settings to stay in control of the process, remove all the unwanted ticks, and look for misleading deals or offers on the way. In case your Mac is already infected with this PUP, you must remove TotalSearchFunction from the device without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to TotalSearchFunction

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