How to uninstall ApolloSearch app/extension from Mac

What is ApolloSearch

ApolloSearch is supposed to be an app that will improve the browsing experience, but according to security researchers, this program is adware. Adware is a form of malicious software that tries to generate profit by redirecting you to scam webpages and online advertising. It has different methods of earning revenue including displaying up adverts on the web browser forcefully. Most of adware gets installed when you are downloading free applications or browser extensions.

The worst is, adware can install a component that enables its creator to track which web sites you visit, which products you look at upon those pages. They are then able to select the type of advertisements they show you. So, if you had adware on your device, there is a good chance you have another that is collecting and sharing your privacy data with third parties, without your say-so.

How does ApolloSearch get on your MAC

Adware usually comes on the MAC with free software. In most cases, it comes without the user’s knowledge. Therefore, many users aren’t even aware that their MAC has been hijacked by PUPs and adware. Please follow the easy rules in order to protect your MAC system from adware software and PUPs: do not install any suspicious apps, read the user agreement and choose only the Custom, Manual or Advanced install type. Also, always try to find a review of the program on the Web. Be careful and attentive!

Threat Summary

Name	ApolloSearch
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop-up ads, pop-up virus, pop ups
Symptoms	ads appear in places they shouldn’t be you keep getting redirected to unfamiliar web pages your computer starts automatically installing unwanted applications new extensions suddenly added on your web-browser your internet browser home page has replaced and you cannot modify it back slow browsing Internet your computer crashes
Removal	ApolloSearch removal guide

How to remove ApolloSearch from Mac

Not all unwanted applications such as ApolloSearch are easily uninstallable. You might see pop-ups, deals, text links, in-text advertisements, banners and other type of ads in the Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari and might not be able to figure out the application responsible for this activity. The reason for this is that many undesired applications neither appear in the Finder. Therefore in order to completely get rid of adware software, you need to execute the following steps. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to exit your internet browser or reboot your computer.

To remove ApolloSearch, execute the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by ApolloSearch
2. Remove ApolloSearch related software through the Finder
3. Remove ApolloSearch related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove ApolloSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove profiles created by ApolloSearch

ApolloSearch 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 software.

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 ApolloSearch.

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 computer, which is normal.

Remove ApolloSearch related software through the Finder

Check the list of installed programs on your Mac computer and remove all unknown and recently installed applications. If you see an unknown program with incorrect spelling or varying capital letters, it have most likely been installed by malicious software and you should clean it off first with malicious software removal tool like MalwareBytes Anti Malware.

Make sure you have closed all internet browsers and other programs. Next, delete any undesired and suspicious programs from MAC using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of programs installed on your Apple Mac. Most probably, one of them is the ApolloSearch adware. Select the suspicious program or the program that name is not familiar to you and uninstall it.

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

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

Remove ApolloSearch related files and folders

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

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We suggest using MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) to scan the Mac device for browser hijackers, adware and PUPs. This free tool is an advanced malicious software removal application designed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It’s able to help you remove ransomware and other security threats from your Mac computer for free.

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

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20990 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. When the downloading process is finished, close all software and windows on your MAC system. Open a folder in which you saved it. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Press the “Scan” button to find ApolloSearch . A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer. While the utility is checking, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.
4. After that process is complete, you will be shown the list of all detected threats on your computer. Review the report and then click “Quarantine”.

Remove ApolloSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still getting ApolloSearch adware, then you can try to remove it by deleting malicious plugins.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Google Chrome menu. When the drop-down menu appears, choose ‘More tools’ and click on ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of ApolloSearch 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 ApolloSearch 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

By installing an ad blocker application like AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious web-pages, stop autoplaying video ads and get rid of a lot of distracting and annoying ads on websites.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

After the download 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 guidance. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guidance that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted pop up ads, block harmful and misleading websites.

Finish words

Now your Apple Mac should be clean of the ApolloSearch adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your MAC for new adwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop undesired advertisements and malicious web-pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware software, please stay clear of unknown and third party software.

If you need more help with ApolloSearch adware related issues, go to here.