KeyWordsSearch is an adware (sometimes called ‘ad-supported’ software) and PUA (potentially unwanted application). It is developed to bombard you with unsolicited advertisements and pop-up windows that could potentially be dangerous for your Apple Mac. If you get adware on your computer, it can alter internet browser settings and install malicious browser extensions.
Unwanted ads
Does adware software steal your data? KeyWordsSearch Adware can have spyware and keyloggers built into the application, leading to greater damage to your MAC OS and possible invasion of your privacy information.
Threat Summary
| Name | KeyWordsSearch, KeyWords Search 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), popups, pop-up advertisements, pop-up virus |
| Symptoms |
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| Removal | KeyWordsSearch removal guide |
How does KeyWordsSearch get on your MAC
KeyWordsSearch most likely to occur during the installation of free applications due the fact that PUPs like this are mostly hidden in the setup package. Thus, if you’ve installed some free applications using Quick(Standard) method, you may have let adware get inside your Apple Mac. Keep in mind that the Quick mode is unreliable because it do not warn about bundled software. Thus, bundled programs will be installed automatically unless you select Advanced/Custom mode and reject its installation.
Do not panic because we’ve got the solution. Here’s a steps on how remove KeyWordsSearch adware and get rid of unwanted ads from the Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome and other web-browsers.
How to remove KeyWordsSearch from Mac (Adware virus removal guide)
Without a doubt, the adware is harmful to your computer. So you need to quickly and completely delete this KeyWordsSearch adware that causes annoying advertisements. To get rid of this adware, you can use the manual removal tutorial that are given below or free malicious software removal tool such as MalwareBytes Anti Malware (it is free). We recommend you use automatic removal method that will allow you to get rid of KeyWordsSearch easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you’re well versed in computer or in the case where adware software is not deleted automatically. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to shut down your internet browser or reboot your machine.
To remove KeyWordsSearch, perform the steps below:
- How to manually remove KeyWordsSearch
- Automatic Removal of KeyWordsSearch
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to manually remove KeyWordsSearch
The step-by-step tutorial will help you manually remove KeyWordsSearch ads from the web-browser. If you have little experience in using computers, we recommend that you use the free tools listed below.
Delete KeyWordsSearch associated software by using the Finder
First, go to the Finder and remove dubious software, all applications you don’t remember installing. It is important to pay the most attention to apps you installed just before KeyWordsSearch ads appeared on your internet browser. If you don’t know what a program does, look for the answer on the Web.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Carefully browse through the list of installed applications and remove all questionable and unknown apps.
After you have found anything dubious that may be the KeyWordsSearch adware or other PUP (potentially unwanted program), then right click this application and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.
Remove KeyWordsSearch adware from Google Chrome
If your Chrome internet browser is re-directed to annoying KeyWordsSearch ads, it may be necessary to completely reset your web browser program to its default settings.
- First run the Google Chrome and press Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the add-on labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and click the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will show the reset profile settings page as on the image above.
- Next click the “Reset” button.
- Once this process is done, your browser’s search provider by default, newtab and start page will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Remove KeyWordsSearch from Firefox by resetting web browser settings
If the Mozilla Firefox web-browser program is hijacked by KeyWords Search, then resetting its settings can help. The Reset feature is available on all modern version of Mozilla Firefox. A reset can fix many issues by restoring Firefox settings like startpage, new tab page and search provider by default to their default values. It’ll save your personal information like saved passwords, bookmarks, auto-fill data and open tabs.
First, launch the Mozilla Firefox and click 
button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the browser. Further, press the Help button (
) as displayed below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web browser adress bar and press Enter. It will show the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, press the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will display the confirmation prompt. Further, press the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Mozilla Firefox will begin a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the KeyWordsSearch adware. After, it is done, click the “Finish” button.
Get rid of KeyWordsSearch from Safari
By resetting Safari internet browser you return your internet browser settings to its default state. This is first when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by KeyWordsSearch adware.
Run Safari browser. Next, select Preferences from the Safari menu.
First, click the “Security” icon. Here, choose “Block pop-up windows”. It will block some types of popups.
Now, click the “Extensions” icon. Look for questionable plugins on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all dubious addons from Safari.
Once complete, check your homepage and search engine settings. Click “General” icon. Make sure that the “Homepage” field contains the website you want or is empty.
Make sure that the “Search engine” setting shows your preferred search provider. In some versions of Safari, this setting is in the “Search” tab.
Automatic Removal of KeyWordsSearch
Is your Mac OS Apple Mac affected by adware software? Then don’t worry, in the steps listed below, we are sharing best malicious software removal utilities that has the ability to remove KeyWordsSearch ads from the Mozilla Firefox, Chrome and Safari and your computer.
Run MalwareBytes to get rid of KeyWordsSearch adware software
You can remove KeyWordsSearch adware automatically with a help of MalwareBytes. We suggest this free malware removal tool because it can easily delete hijacker infection, adware, PUPs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.
- Download MalwareBytes Free by clicking on the link below.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
20990 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
- Once the download is done, close all software and windows on your MAC OS. Open a file location. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
- Click the “Scan” button to begin scanning your machine for the KeyWordsSearch adware that causes browsers to display intrusive pop-ups. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the tool is scanning, you may see count of objects and files has already scanned.
- When MalwareBytes has completed scanning your MAC, a list of all items detected is produced. Once you have selected what you wish to remove from your MAC OS press “Remove Selected Items”.
How to stay safe online
The AdGuard is a very good ad blocking program for the Safari, Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, with active user support. It does a great job by removing certain types of intrusive advertisements, popunders, pop ups, intrusive newtab pages, and even full page ads and web page overlay layers. Of course, the AdGuard can block unwanted websites automatically or by using a custom filter rule.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard from the link below.
3772 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
After the download is complete, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guide. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guide which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive ads, block harmful or misleading web-pages.
Finish words
Now your Apple Mac should be free of the KeyWordsSearch adware software. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your Apple Mac for new adwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block undesired advertisements and malicious web-pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps.
If you need more help with KeyWordsSearch related issues, go to here.
