How to uninstall TotalSearchFunction app/extension from Mac

What is TotalSearchFunction

TotalSearchFunction is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that falls under the category of Adware . Adware is a form of software that is developed to bombard users with unsolicited ads and popup windows that could potentially be dangerous for the computer. If you get adware on your Apple Mac, it can change web browser settings and install malicious browser addons.

The worst is, adware can have spyware and keyloggers built into the application, leading to greater damage to your computer and possible invasion of your privacy data.

The guidance below explaining steps to delete TotalSearchFunction. Feel free to use it for removal of the adware software that may attack Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Chrome and other popular web-browsers. The steps will help you remove TotalSearchFunction adware and thereby clean your browser from all intrusive ads.

How does TotalSearchFunction get on your computer

Many of the free programs out there install unwanted web-browser toolbars, hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted software along with them without your knowledge. One has to be attentive while installing free applications in order to avoid accidentally installing additional software. It’s important that you pay attention to the EULA (End User License Agreements) and select the Custom, Manual or Advanced installation option as it will typically disclose what additional apps will also be installed.

Threat Summary

Name	TotalSearchFunction, TotalSearchFunction 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), pop-up virus, popup ads, pop ups
Symptoms	you experience lots of of unwanted advertising popups web page links redirect to web pages different from what you expected unwanted programs installed without your say-so unexpected browser extensions or toolbars keep coming back your Apple Mac settings are being modified without your request your web browser slows to a crawl your MAC became slower than normal
Removal	TotalSearchFunction removal guide

How to remove TotalSearchFunction adware

According to security researchers, TotalSearchFunction removal can be done manually and/or automatically. These tools which are listed below will help you get rid of adware software, harmful browser addons, malware and potentially unwanted apps . However, if you are not willing to install other applications to delete TotalSearchFunction , then use following steps to return your computer settings to defaults.

To remove TotalSearchFunction, execute the steps below:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Delete TotalSearchFunction related apps through the Finder
3. Remove TotalSearchFunction related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove TotalSearchFunction from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

TotalSearchFunction can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

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

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile associated with TotalSearchFunction.

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.

Delete TotalSearchFunction related apps through the Finder

In order to remove potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware, open the Finder and click on “Applications”. Check the list of installed applications. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs. If yes, delete them off. Even if they are just a applications that you do not use, then uninstalling them off will increase your computer start up time and speed dramatically.

Make sure you have closed all browsers and other software. Next, remove any unwanted and suspicious applications from machine using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of apps installed on your machine. Most likely, one of them is the TotalSearchFunction adware. Select the questionable program or the program that name is not familiar to you and uninstall it.

Drag the suspicious application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, don’t forget, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove TotalSearchFunction related files and folders

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

Check for TotalSearchFunction 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 TotalSearchFunction 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 TotalSearchFunction 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.TotalSearchFunction.plist, com.search.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.installapp.plist and com.macsearch.plist. In most cases, PUPs, browser hijackers and adware create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you’re still having problems with the TotalSearchFunction removal or just wish to scan your Mac computer occasionally for adware software and other malicious software, then download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). It is free for home use, and identifies and removes various unwanted apps that attacks your machine or degrades Apple Mac performance. MalwareBytes can remove toolbars, adware, browser hijackers and PUPs as well as malware, including ransomware and trojans.

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware can be downloaded from the following link.

After the download is complete, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button to search for TotalSearchFunction adware. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your MAC. While the MalwareBytes tool is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malware. Once you’ve selected what you want to remove from your computer click the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) is a free application that you can use to get rid of all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.

Remove TotalSearchFunction from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you’re still seeing TotalSearchFunction adware software that won’t go away, you might have harmful extensions installed on your web browser. Check your browser for unwanted extensions using the steps below.

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. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to delete TotalSearchFunction 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 TotalSearchFunction adware 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 ad-blocking tool (AdGuard, for example). It’ll block and protect you from malicious web-pages, unwanted advertisements and pop-ups. To be able to do that, the ad-blocking program uses a list of filters. Each filter is a rule that describes a malicious web-site, an advertising content, a banner and others. The ad blocker application automatically uses these filters, depending on the web-pages you’re visiting.

1. Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard from the link below.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3687 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. After the downloading process is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After the installation is finished, press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that 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 launch your machine, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block harmful and misleading web-pages.

To sum up

Once you’ve done the steps shown above, your MAC should be clean from adware software and other malware. The Firefox, Chrome and Safari will no longer display any unwanted ads when you browse the Internet. Unfortunately, if the step-by-step guide 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 TotalSearchFunction adware.