G-search.pro Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (Updated)
How to remove g-search.pro browser hijacker from Mac?
What is g-search.pro?
g-search.pro is a deceptive website presented as an improved Internet search engine that supposedly generates better search results. Therefore, many users believe that g-search.pro is legitimate and useful. In fact, developers promote this website via rogue download/installation set-ups designed to hijack web browsers and modify various settings. In addition, g-search.pro continually tracks Internet browsing activity by gathering various user/system information.
Research shows that the aforementioned set-ups target Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Following infiltration, set-ups assign the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to g-search.pro. Identical options of Google Chrome are assigned to blasearch.com. In addition, set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (third party applications and/or browser plug-ins) to automatically reassign the aforementioned options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are forced to visit g-search.pro when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience. Another downside is information tracking. Be aware that g-search.pro and helper objects continually gather IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. This information might contain personal details that is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal details to generate revenue. Information tracking can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft - you are strongly advised to uninstall all suspicious applications/browser plug-ins and never g-search.pro again.
| Name | g-search.pro browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information. |
| Removal |
To eliminate g-search.pro browser hijacker our malware researchers recommend scanning your computer with Combo Cleaner. |
There are dozens of fake Internet search engines similar to g-search.pro including search.emptovo.com, search.gracepot.com, and search.nunu-app.com. All offer identical features (improved search results), however, none provide any real value. Research shows that fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers - g-search.pro and similar search engines merely cause unwanted redirects and continually record various user/system information. Some generate results leading to malicious websites and, therefore, using them can result in high-risk adware or malware infections.
How did g-search.pro install on my computer?
As mentioned above, g-search.pro is promoted via rogue download/installation set-ups. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers hide details of browser settings modification within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. By skipping this section, users grant set-ups permission to modify various options, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Potentially unwanted programs are distributed using the "bundling" method. Therefore, never rush the download or installation procedures. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely analyze each step. Furthermore, decline offers to download/install additional apps and cancel those already included.
Deceptive application installer promoting g-search.pro browser hijacker:
Screenshot of GSearchPro 1.0 browser extension in Safari:
Instant automatic removal of g-search.pro browser hijacker:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of g-search.pro browser hijacker. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Combo Cleaner.
Quick menu:
- What is g-search.pro?
- STEP 1. Remove g-search.pro related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove g-search.pro redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove g-search.pro browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove g-search.pro homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove browser redirects to g-search.pro using Combo Cleaner:
g-search.pro redirect removal:
Remove g-search.pro-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “MPlayerX”,“NicePlayer”, or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove g-search.pro browser hijacker related files and folders:
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar, choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/Application Support
In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons
In the “LaunchDaemons” folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”, "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure your system is not infected run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file double click combocleaner.dmg installer, in the opened window drag and drop Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates it's virus definition database and click "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide, otherwise it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
g-search.pro browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove g-search.pro browser hijacker related Safari extensions:
Open Safari browser. From the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Change your homepage:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the “Set to Current Page” button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.
Change your default search engine:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labelled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove g-search.pro browser hijacker related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Change your homepage:
To change your homepage, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Preferences" from the drop-down menu. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage Page.
Change default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and click the "I'll be careful, I promise!" button.
In the "Search:" field, type the name of the browser hijacker. Right click on each of the found preferences and click "Reset" from the drop-down menu.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove g-search.pro browser hijacker related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Change your homepage:
Click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Settings". In the "On Startup" section, click the "Set pages" link near to the "Open a specific page or set of pages" option. Remove the URL of the browser hijacker (for example trovi.com) and enter your preferred URL (for example, google.com).
Change default search engine:
Click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Settings". In the "Search" section, click the "Manage search engines..." button. In the opened window, remove the unwanted Internet search engine by clicking the "X" button next to it. Select your preferred Internet search engine from the list and click the "Make default" button next to it.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.