How to uninstall GeneralChannelSearch app/extension from Mac

What is GeneralChannelSearch

GeneralChannelSearch is supposed to be a program that will improve the browsing experience, but according to security professionals, this program is an adware. Adware is type of programs developed to insert advertising into your Internet browsing or even desktop experience. Adware can be created to change your home page, search provider, search results, or even add toolbars to your web-browser. Adware run in the background when you are online, and adware can slow down your Apple Mac and affect its performance.

Another reason why you need to remove adware software is its online data-tracking activity. Adware software can collect sensitive info, including:

• IP addresses;
• URLs visited;
• search queries/terms;
• clicks on links and advertisements;
• web-browser version information.

If you would like to delete GeneralChannelSearch and clean your web browser of unwanted advertisements and are unable to do so, you can follow the guidance below to scan for and remove adware and any other malicious software for free.

How does GeneralChannelSearch get on your MAC OS

Adware may be spread with the help of trojan horses and other forms of malware, but in many cases, adware come along with some free applications. Many creators of free applications include bundled apps in their setup file. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the installation of any adware software: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced install method, disable all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free applications.

Threat Summary

Name	GeneralChannelSearch, GeneralChannelSearch 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop up virus, pop up ads, pop-ups
Symptoms	unclosable window appear and recommend fake security software every time you perform an Internet search, your internet browser is redirected to another web-site your MAC system starts automatically installing unexpected programs unwanted web browser extensions or toolbars keep coming back your browser settings are being changed without your request speed test good but internet slow CPU usage seems unusually high
Removal	GeneralChannelSearch removal guide

How to remove GeneralChannelSearch from Mac computer

We can assist you delete any unwanted ads from your web browser without the need to take your MAC to a professional. Simply follow the removal guidance below if you currently have the adware software on your MAC OS and want to delete it. If you’ve any difficulty while trying to delete the GeneralChannelSearch adware, feel free to ask for our assist in the comment section below. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to shut down your internet browser or restart your Apple Mac.

To remove GeneralChannelSearch, follow the steps below:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Uninstall GeneralChannelSearch related applications through the Finder
3. Remove GeneralChannelSearch related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove GeneralChannelSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

GeneralChannelSearch can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to GeneralChannelSearch.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac, which is normal.

Uninstall GeneralChannelSearch related applications through the Finder

In the next step, you need to check the list of installed applications on your Mac and remove all unused, unknown and questionable apps.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed apps and delete all questionable and unknown software.

Once you’ve found anything dubious that may be the GeneralChannelSearch or other potentially unwanted program, then right click this program and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove GeneralChannelSearch related files and folders

Now you need to try to find GeneralChannelSearch related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for GeneralChannelSearch generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: search.plist, installapp.plist, macsearch.plist, GeneralChannelSearch.plist and com.machelper.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, PUPs and adware create several files with similar names.

Check for GeneralChannelSearch generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for GeneralChannelSearch generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for GeneralChannelSearch generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.installapp.plist, com.GeneralChannelSearch.plist, com.search.plist, com.machelper.plist and com.macsearch.plist. In most cases, adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We recommend using MalwareBytes to scan the Mac computer for browser hijackers, adware and PUPs. This free tool is an advanced malicious software removal program designed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular antimalware technology. It is able to help you remove potentially unwanted software and other security threats from your Mac for free.

Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) for Apple Mac.

After the download is complete, close all windows on your Apple Mac. Further, start the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will automatically launch and you may see its main window as displayed on the image below.

Next, click the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the GeneralChannelSearch adware. When a malicious software, adware or PUPs are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

When MalwareBytes is complete scanning your machine, MalwareBytes Free will display a list of all threats found by the scan. Review the scan results and then click the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes will delete GeneralChannelSearch adware software and move the selected threats to the Quarantine.

Remove GeneralChannelSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to delete malicious addons. This can delete GeneralChannelSearch adware and fix some surfing issues, especially after adware infection.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Chrome menu. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove GeneralChannelSearch adware by reset Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing problems with GeneralChannelSearch removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

To put it simply, you need to use an adblocker tool (AdGuard, for example). It will block and protect you from malicious web pages, unwanted advertisements and pop-ups. To be able to do that, the ad blocker program uses a list of filters. Each filter is a rule that describes a malicious web-page, an advertising content, a banner and others. The ad-blocking application automatically uses these filters, depending on the websites you’re visiting.

1. Click the link below to download AdGuard.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3772 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. When the download is done, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. Once the setup is complete, press “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your Apple Mac, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block malicious and misleading websites.

Finish words

After completing the step-by-step instructions outlined above, your MAC OS should be free from GeneralChannelSearch adware and other malicious software. The Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome will no longer redirect you to various unwanted webpages and online ads. Unfortunately, if the tutorial does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.