ActivelySearch is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the Adware family. Adware can make big problem to your MAC system. Adware sometimes named ‘ad-supported’ software is malicious program which displays unwanted ads in form of pop-ups, discount offers, promos or even fake alerts on the browser. ActivelySearch adware can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security. Adware can be installed onto your MAC unknowingly (it is frequently a web-browser extension).
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your privacy data? ActivelySearch adware can collect your Web surfing activity by saving URLs visited, IP addresses, web browser version and type, cookie information, Internet Service Provider (ISP) and webpages visited. Such kind of behavior can lead to serious security problems or confidential data theft. This is another reason why the ActivelySearch should be uninstalled immediately.
Threat Summary
| Name | ActivelySearch, Actively Search 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop up virus, pop ups, pop up ads |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | ActivelySearch removal guide |
How does ActivelySearch adware get on your machine
Adware software actively distributed with free programs. Therefore, it is very important, when installing an unknown program even downloaded from well-known site, read the Terms of use and the Software license, as well as to choose the Manual, Advanced or Custom install option. In this method, you may disable the setup of unnecessary web-browser plugins and programs and protect your MAC system from adware.
To find out how to remove ActivelySearch adware, we suggest to read the few simple steps added to this article below. The tutorial was prepared by experienced security professionals who discovered a solution to delete the annoying adware out of the machine.
How to Remove ActivelySearch adware (removal guidance)
According to IT security specialists, ActivelySearch adware removal can be complete manually and/or automatically. These tools which are listed below will help you remove adware, harmful browser extensions, malware and PUPs . However, if you are not willing to install other apps to remove ActivelySearch , then use tutorial below to return your MAC settings to their previous states.
To remove ActivelySearch, execute the following steps:
- How to manually delete ActivelySearch
- Automatic Removal of ActivelySearch adware
- Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to manually delete ActivelySearch
The step-by-step guide designed by our team will help you manually remove ActivelySearch adware software from your internet browser. If you are not good at computers, we recommend that you use the free utilities listed below.
Delete potentially unwanted programs using the Finder
In order to delete potentially unwanted software like this adware software, open the Finder and click on “Applications”. Check the list of installed programs. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are adware, browser hijacker or potentially unwanted applications. If yes, uninstall them off. Even if they are just a applications which you do not use, then deleting them off will increase your machine start up time and speed dramatically.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Carefully browse through the list of installed software and remove all questionable and unknown programs.
Once you’ve found anything suspicious that may be the ActivelySearch or other PUP (potentially unwanted program), then right click this program and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.
Get rid of ActivelySearch adware from Mozilla Firefox
The Firefox reset will remove unwanted ActivelySearch ads, modified preferences, extensions and security settings. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
First, open the Mozilla Firefox and click 
button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the web-browser. Further, press the Help button (
) as shown in the following example.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter. It will display the “Troubleshooting Information” page like below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will show the confirmation prompt. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will start a task to fix your problems that caused by the ActivelySearch adware. When, it’s done, press the “Finish” button.
Get rid of ActivelySearch from Safari
The Safari reset is great if your web browser is hijacked or you have unwanted add-ons or toolbars on your browser, which installed by an malware.
Click Safari menu and select “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious extensions on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all unknown extensions from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Remove ActivelySearch adware software from Chrome
Reset Chrome settings will help you to completely reset your browser. The result of activating this function will bring Google Chrome settings back to its original state. This can remove ActivelySearch adware and disable harmful extensions. However, your themes, bookmarks, history, passwords, and web form auto-fill information will not be deleted.
Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will show the drop-down menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Google Chrome main menu again, click to “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, as displayed in the following example and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.
Automatic Removal of ActivelySearch adware
Best ActivelySearch adware removal utility should detect and remove adware software, malware, PUPs, toolbars, hijacker infections, and ads generators. The key is locating one with a good reputation and these features. Most quality programs listed below offer a free scan and malware removal so you can find and delete unwanted apps without having to pay.
Use MalwareBytes to remove ActivelySearch adware
Remove ActivelySearch manually is difficult and often the adware software is not fully removed. Therefore, we suggest you to use the MalwareBytes which are completely clean your MAC OS. Moreover, this free program will help you to delete malicious software, PUPs, toolbars and browser hijacker infection that your Apple Mac may be infected too.
Download MalwareBytes on your MAC system from the link below.
20983 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once the download is complete, run it and follow the prompts. Press the “Scan” button to begin checking your Apple Mac for the ActivelySearch adware. Depending on your Apple Mac, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware utility is checking, you may see how many objects it has identified as being infected by malware. Review the results once the tool has complete the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply press “Remove Selected Items” button.
The MalwareBytes AntiMalware is a free program that you can use to get rid of all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.
Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
It is important to run ad blocker applications such as AdGuard to protect your MAC OS from harmful web pages. Most security experts says that it’s okay to stop ads. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard can to stop misleading and other intrusive webpages.
AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
3771 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
After the downloading process 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 tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you run your machine, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted ads, block harmful or misleading web-pages.
Finish words
Now your MAC system should be free of the ActivelySearch ads. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new adwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you block intrusive pop-up advertisements and harmful web-pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party software.
If you need more help with ActivelySearch adware related issues, go to here.
