SearchLibrary is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the adware (also known as ‘adware software’) family. What is Adware? Adware is a part of malicious software that delivers unwanted ads on the computer. Some of these ads are scams or fake advertisements created to trick you. Even the harmless advertisements can become really irritating. Adware can be installed accidentally and without you knowing about it, when you run a fake Adobe Flash Player or install free programs.
Does adware steal your personal data? SearchLibrary can monetize its functionality by collecting privacy info from your browsing sessions. This confidential info, subsequently, can be easily transferred third party companies. This puts your privacy info at a security risk.
Threat Summary
Name | SearchLibrary, Search Library app |
Type | adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop-ups, pop up virus, pop up ads |
Symptoms |
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Removal | SearchLibrary removal guide |
How does SearchLibrary and other PUPs get on the Mac
In many cases, the free software install package includes bundled software such as this adware software. So, be very careful when you agree to install anything. The best way – is to choose a Custom, Advanced or Manual install method. Here reject all additional apps in which you are unsure or that causes even a slightest suspicion. The main thing you should remember, you do not need to install any optional programs which you don’t trust!
Thus, it’s clear that the presence of adware software on your computer is not desirable, and you need to clean up your computer immediately. Follow the instructions below in order to get rid of SearchLibrary adware.
How to remove SearchLibrary adware
According to security professionals, SearchLibrary removal can be complete manually and/or automatically. These tools which are listed below will help you delete adware, harmful internet browser plugins, malware and potentially unwanted applications . However, if you are not willing to install other apps to delete SearchLibrary adware, then use steps below to return your MAC settings to their previous states.
To remove SearchLibrary, perform the following steps:
- Manual SearchLibrary adware removal
- Automatic Removal of SearchLibrary adware software
- Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
- To sum up
Manual SearchLibrary adware removal
This part of the article is a step-by-step tutorial that will help you to remove SearchLibrary adware software manually. You just need to carefully complete each step. In this case, you do not need to install any additional software.
Uninstall SearchLibrary associated software by using the Finder
First, go to the Finder and remove suspicious applications, all programs you do not remember installing. It is important to pay the most attention to software you installed just before SearchLibrary adware appeared on your web-browser. If you don’t know what a program does, look for the answer on the Internet.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will open a list of all software installed on your Apple Mac. Scroll through the all list, and remove any questionable and unknown apps. Right click to dubious application and select “Move to Trash”. Another method is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.
Delete SearchLibrary adware software from Safari
The Safari reset is great if your web browser is hijacked or you have unwanted add-ons or toolbars on your browser, that installed by an malware.
Run Safari web-browser. Next, choose Preferences from the Safari menu.
First, click the “Security” icon. Here, select “Block pop-up windows”. It will block some types of pop-ups.
Now, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for dubious plugins on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to delete all questionable addons from Safari.
Once complete, check your startpage and search provider settings. Click “General” tab. 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.
Get rid of SearchLibrary adware from Mozilla Firefox
If the Mozilla Firefox internet browser is rerouted to SearchLibrary ads and you want to restore the Mozilla Firefox settings back to their default values, then you should follow the few simple steps below. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
First, start the Mozilla Firefox and click button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the browser. Further, click the Help button () such as the one below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the browser adress bar and press Enter. It will show the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will open the confirmation prompt. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will begin a process to fix your problems that caused by the SearchLibrary adware. When, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.
Remove SearchLibrary from Chrome
Resetting Google Chrome to default state is effective in removing the SearchLibrary ads from your browser. This solution is always helpful to perform if you have difficulty in removing changes caused by adware software.
- First, run the Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Google Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed addons. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- Next, press “Advanced” link, that located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Chrome will show the reset settings dialog box as on the image above.
- Confirm the browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Automatic Removal of SearchLibrary adware software
The adware can hide its components which are difficult for you to find out and remove completely. This can lead to the fact that after some time, the SearchLibrary adware software again infect your Apple Mac. Moreover, We want to note that it’s not always safe to remove adware software manually, if you don’t have much experience in setting up and configuring the operating system. The best solution to find and remove adware is to run free malicious software removal applications.
Run MalwareBytes to remove SearchLibrary adware
Manual SearchLibrary adware removal requires some computer skills. Some files that created by the adware can be not completely removed. We advise that run the MalwareBytes Free that are completely free your computer of adware software. Moreover, this free utility will help you to remove browser hijacker, malicious software, PUPs and toolbars that your MAC can be infected too.
Download MalwareBytes AntiMalware from the following link.
20850 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once downloading is complete, run it and follow the prompts. Press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the SearchLibrary adware. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your machine. While the tool is scanning, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned. Once you’ve selected what you wish to remove from your computer press “Remove Selected Items” button.
The MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is a free program that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.
Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
If you browse the Web, you cannot avoid malvertising. But you can protect your browser against it. Download and use an ad blocking program. AdGuard is an ad blocking which can filter out lots of of the malvertising, blocking dynamic scripts from loading harmful content.
Visit the following page to download the latest version of AdGuard for Mac.
3687 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
When the download is finished, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you run your MAC OS, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block malicious or misleading websites.
To sum up
After completing the few simple steps above, your computer should be clean from this adware software and other malicious software. The Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari will no longer open the SearchLibrary ads when you browse the Net. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the intrusive SearchLibrary adware software.