What is Adware.MAC.VSearch
Adware.MAC.VSearch belongs to the category of adware infections. These are unwanted applications whose main purpose is making profit for their developers by displaying numerous untrusted adverts on your Mac.
Most often, Adware.MAC.VSearch is installed onto the system via a deceptive software marketing method called ‘bundling’. This is when users are manipulated to believe that they are installing an update or a free program on their computers, and they are installing malware instead.
For instance, when you update your Flash Player, or other free software, you may not notice the other unwanted applications attached to the program you’ve downloaded. Thus, you should always read all the steps throughout the installation process and make sure that you install only the desired software.
Usually, adware enters your Mac in various forms, such as fake Chromium-based browsers, toolbars, weather forecast widgets, etc. Sometimes your screen gets flooded with tonnes of ads and pop-ups, and your web browsers slow down or stop responding to your commands. In the meantime, Adware.MAC.VSearch keeps a track on your browsing activities and sends it to the advertisers which threatens your online security.
How to know if your Mac is infected with Adware.MAC.VSearch
A clear sign that an adware has infected your computer, are the numerous pop-ups and banners that flood your Mac screen, the reduced performance of your web browser, the redirected Internet searches, or the new toolbars and extensions that you have never seen before.
Be aware that any of the above-mentioned could record your browsing history and steal the personal data you’ve stored on your Mac. Thus, to keep your browsing safe and your data private, you should remove Adware.MAC.VSearch from your computer as soon as you notice its presence on it.
How did Adware.MAC.VSearch install on your Mac
As already said, one of the most popular methods for distributing adware is the software bundling, or when the virus infiltrates your Mac together with other free programs. For that reason, you should be very careful during the installation process of new software and read all “Terms & Conditions” before agreeing to install any toolbars and other adware together with the desired application.
Keep in mind that the owners of websites for download add a ‘download agent’ or ‘custom installer’ which “offers” installation of additional applications alongside the downloaded free software. These additional applications are usually adware whose only purpose is displaying ads which generate profit for their creators.
How to avoid installation of Adware.MAC.VSearch on your Mac
To avoid installing adware onto your Mac, we advise you to download free software from developers’ websites only and pay close attention to the installation process.
Also, DO NOT trust any Torrent websites or pop-up ads asking you to update software because they could easily deceive to install malware on your computer. And DO NOT forget to make sure that you have installed a reliable anti-virus software onto your Mac to keep it protected at all times.
Remove Adware.MAC.VSearch manually
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Click on the blank space on your desktop and select “Go” from the top menu.
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Select “Go to folder“
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Paste the lines shown below in the opened window and look for adware generated files in the folders to remove them.
Here’s a list of folders commonly used by adware infections:
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/Library/LaunchAgents
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/Library/Application
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~/Library/LaunchAgents
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/Library/LaunchDaemons
Adware.MAC.VSearch removal using Activity Monitor
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Open your Launchpad, select “Other“, and select “Activity Monitor“ from the list.
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Search for any suspicious process name in the Activity Monitor, and if you notice such, double-click on it.
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Click the “Sample” button in the opened window. An additional window will open and you will see a line starting with “Path:” Select the path of the suspicious process (select the path, then right click over the selection and select “Copy“).
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Click on any blank space on your desktop and select “Go” from the top menu.
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Select “Go to Folder…“ from the “Go” menu and paste the path of the suspicious process you copied in the opened window.
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Drag and drop the suspicious file from the opened folder to the Trash.
Keep in mind that some adware apps install unwanted extensions onto your web browsers. This is how you can remove them from the different browsers.
Remove rogue browser extensions from Safari
- Open your Safari browser. Click on Safari in the top menu and select “Preferences” from the list.
- Select “Extensions” from the preferences window and remove all suspicious extensions by clicking “Uninstall“.
Remove rogue browser extensions from Google Chrome
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Open your Google Chrome browser and click on the three dots symbol. Select “More Tools” from the list and then “Extensions“.
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Search for suspicious extensions in the opened window and click the “Remove” button next to them.
Remove rogue browser extensions from Mozilla Firefox
- Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. Click on the three lines symbol and select “Add-ons“ from the list.
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Search for suspicious add-ons in the opened window and click the “Remove” button next to them.
Please, have in mind that SpyHunter offers a free 15-day Trial version with full functionality. Credit card is required, no charge upfront.