How to uninstall NeedSearch app/extension from Mac

What is NeedSearch

NeedSearch is supposed to be an app that will improve the browsing experience, but according to security specialists, this program is adware. The NeedSearch adware is not a malicious application such as trojan, ransomware or other malicious software, but its presence can bring constant pop up windows and/or unwanted advertising. Actually developers of adware software is associated with some merchants and by showing advertising to users they make revenue for yourself. These adverts not only bother your browsing experience but also reroute you to unsafe websites.

Another reason why you need to remove adware is its online data-tracking activity. Adware is often harmless, but sometimes adware software can also be spyware. Spyware can sometimes seek out your confidential information stored on the Apple Mac, collect this information and use it to steal your identity.

So, if you happen to encounter the adware, then be quick and take effort to get rid of it as soon as possible. Follow the instructions below to remove NeedSearch adware. Let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

How does NeedSearch get on your machine

The majority of adware gets on a Mac along with free software or even paid apps that Web users can easily download online. The installers of such applications, in many cases, clearly indicate that they will install optional software. The option is given to users to block the installation of any bundled software. So, in order to avoid the setup of any adware: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced install method and disable all bundled programs in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	NeedSearch, NeedSearch 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), popups, pop up advertisements, popup virus
Symptoms	adverts appear in places they shouldn’t be you keep getting redirected to dubious web-pages unexpected programs installed without your consent an unexpected add-on appears in your web browser your internet browser start page has modified and you are unable to change it back slow Internet browsing speeds CPU usage seems unusually high
Removal	NeedSearch removal guide

How to remove NeedSearch adware

Without a doubt, the adware is harmful to your machine. So you need to quickly and completely delete NeedSearch . To delete this adware, you can use the manual removal steps which are given below or a free malware removal utility such as MalwareBytes. We recommend you use automatic removal solution which will help you to remove NeedSearch adware easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you’re well versed in MAC system or in the case where adware is not deleted automatically. Certain of the steps will require you to reboot your MAC or close this web-page. So, read this tutorial carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove NeedSearch, execute the following steps:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Delete NeedSearch associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove NeedSearch related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove NeedSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

NeedSearch 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 NeedSearch.

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 device, which is normal.

Delete NeedSearch associated software by using the Finder

Try to identify and uninstall the program that causes the appearance of annoying ads or internet browser redirect, using the Applications list which is located in the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will open a list of all software installed on your computer. Scroll through the all list, and remove any questionable and unknown software. Right click to questionable program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another method is drag the application 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.

Remove NeedSearch related files and folders

Now you need to try to find NeedSearch 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 NeedSearch 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: installapp.plist, com.machelper.plist, macsearch.plist, search.plist and NeedSearch.plist. Most often, adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for NeedSearch 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 NeedSearch 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 NeedSearch 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.search.plist, com.macsearch.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.installapp.plist and com.NeedSearch.plist. In most cases, potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We suggest using MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). You can download and install MalwareBytes Free to detect and remove NeedSearch related programs from your Mac computer. When installed and updated, the malicious software remover automatically scans for and removes all security threats exist on the MAC.

1. Visit the following page to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Free for Mac.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20851 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. After the download is done, please close all programs and open windows on your MAC. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes Free will run and show the main window.
4. Further, click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes tool will begin scanning the whole computer to find out NeedSearch adware. This task may take quite a while, so please be patient.
5. After the scan is finished, MalwareBytes Free will show a list of detected items.
6. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the AntiMalware and continue with the next step.

Remove NeedSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you’re still getting NeedSearch adware, then you can try to remove it by deleting malicious plugins.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Chrome. In the menu go to ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove NeedSearch 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 issues with NeedSearch adware software removal, you need to reset 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

In order to increase your security and protect your machine against new unwanted advertisements and harmful web-sites, you need to use ad-blocking program that blocks an access to malicious advertisements and web pages. Moreover, the program can block the show of intrusive advertising, that also leads to faster loading of web pages and reduce the consumption of web traffic.

1. Please go to the link below to download the latest version of AdGuard for Apple Mac.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3687 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. After the downloading process is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. Once the installation is done, click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist 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 start automatically and stop annoying ads, block harmful and misleading web sites.

Finish words

After completing the few simple steps shown above, your MAC system should be clean from NeedSearch adware and other malware. The Mozilla Firefox, Chrome and Safari will no longer redirect you to various intrusive web pages like NeedSearch. Unfortunately, if the steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.