How to uninstall SearchMaster app/extension from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is SearchMaster

SearchMaster is an adware pplication that targets Mac computers. Adware is type of malicious software designed for the purpose of displaying various pop-ups and/or annoying adverts on the infected Mac without the user’s permission. These advertisements should be ignored as they can redirect the web-browser to harmful and scam websites.SearchMaster can alter your homepage, search provider, search results, or even add malicious extensions to your web-browser. It run in the background when you browse the Internet, and can slow down your MAC and affect its performance.

Even worse, SearchMaster is able to collect marketing-type data about you (your ip address, what is a website you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the World Wide Web, which links you are clicking), which can later transfer to third parties.

If you are unfortunate have adware software, you can follow the step-by-step tutorial below that will help you to uninstall SearchMaster and get rid of unwanted advertisements from your browser.

How does SearchMaster get on your MAC

Adware can be spread through the use of trojan horses and other forms of malicious software, but most often, it spreads along with certain freeware. Many makers of freeware include additional programs in their installer. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the installation of any adware: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced install type, disable all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free software.

Threat Summary

Name	SearchMaster
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	OSX.Trojan.Gen, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware.MAC.Generic, MacOS.Agent-MT, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, ApplicUnwnt and Adware/Adload!OSX
Distribution	Freeware installers, shady pop up ads, fake updaters and torrent downloads
Symptoms	The web-page links redirect to a web pages different from what you expected, ads appear in places they shouldn’t be, new entries appear in your Applications folder, an unexpected toolbar appears in your internet browser, your Mac settings are being altered without your request, slow Internet browsing speeds.
Removal	SearchMaster removal guide

How to remove SearchMaster from Mac

If you have consistent pop-ups or unwanted advertisements, slow MAC OS, crashing machine problems, you are in need of adware removal assistance. The steps below will guide you forward to get SearchMaster adware removed and will assist you get your machine operating at peak capacity again.

To remove SearchMaster, use the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by SearchMaster
2. Uninstall SearchMaster associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove SearchMaster related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove SearchMaster from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove profiles created by SearchMaster

SearchMaster 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 Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile related to SearchMaster.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Uninstall SearchMaster associated software by using the Finder

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

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will display a list of all software installed on your MAC system. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall any questionable and unknown applications. Right click to dubious program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the program 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 SearchMaster related files and folders

Now you need to try to find SearchMaster 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.

SearchMaster creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SearchMaster.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SearchMaster.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.SearchMaster.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.SearchMaster.service.app

Some files created by SearchMaster are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

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 SearchMaster 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: com.machelper.plist, com.SearchMaster.service.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, installapp.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , macsearch.plist and search.plist. Most often, adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for SearchMaster 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 folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.SearchMaster.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can delete SearchMaster associated files automatically through the use of MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). We suggest this free malware removal utility because it can easily get rid of browser hijackers, PUPs, toolbars and adware software with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

Please go to the link below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes for Mac.

After downloading is done, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the SearchMaster . A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your MAC OS. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is done. 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 the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is a free program that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.

Remove SearchMaster from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you’re still getting SearchMaster adware software, then you can try to get rid of it by removing harmful extensions.

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. 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 SearchMaster 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 SearchMaster adware software 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

Use an ad-blocker tool like AdGuard will protect you from malicious advertisements and content. Moreover, you can find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam web-sites. Additionally, adblocker apps will help you to avoid intrusive pop-up advertisements and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

Visit the following page to download AdGuard.

After the download is finished, 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 instructions. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will help you get to know AdGuard better.

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

Finish words

Now your computer should be clean of the SearchMaster adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new adware and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you stop intrusive pop ups and malicious web sites). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party apps.

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

 

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