Search.webfindersearch.com Redirect (Mac)

What is search.webfindersearch.com?

Identical to search.macsafefinder.com and search.anysearchresults.com, search.webfindersearch.com is a fake Internet search engine that claims to generate improved search results and, therefore, enhances the browsing experience. Judging on appearance alone, search.webfindersearch.com barely differs from Bing, Yahoo, Google, and other legitimate search engines.

Therefore, many users believe that search.webfindersearch.com is also legitimate. In fact, criminals promote this site using browser-hijacking download/installation tools designed to modify browser options without permission. Furthermore, search.webfindersearch.com records various information, mostly relating to users' Internet browsing activity.

Following infiltration, set-ups hijack Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, stealthily modifying the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine options by assigning them to search.webfindersearch.com. Although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that rogue set-ups also install a number of third party potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and/or browser plug-ins (so-called "helper objects"). These programs and plug-ins continue to reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them.

Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states and are forced to visit search.webfindersearch.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience.

Furthermore, helper objects and search.webfindersearch.com continually record user-system information (such as geo-locations, Internet Protocol addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, etc.) that might contain personal details. Developers sell this information to third parties, thereby putting your privacy at risk.

Some PUPs/add-ons misuse computer resources by stealthily running background tasks (for example, mining cryptocurrency), thereby diminishing overall system performance. If you encounter redirects to search.webfindersearch.com, uninstall all suspicious applications/browser plug-ins and never visit this website again.

Threat Summary:

Name	webfindersearch.com 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.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are hundreds of fake search engines that share similarities with search.webfindersearch.com including, for example, home.pdftoolkit.net, chumsearch.com, and search.asistents.com.

All claim to generate improved search results and provide other 'useful features' (such as quick access to popular websites, local weather forecasts, etc.), however, these offers are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. The only purpose of all fake search engines is to generate revenue for the developers. 

Only a small percentage of these sites deliver any value for regular users. Most cause unwanted redirects and record user-system information. In addition, some fake search engines generate deceptive search results and deliver 'malvertising' ads (coupons, banners, etc.).

These search results and rogue advertisements can lead to malicious websites. Furthermore, some ads run scripts designed to download and install malware. For these reasons, fake search engines pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did search.webfindersearch.com install on my computer?

search.webfindersearch.com is promoted using rogue downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers hide information regarding modification of browser options within various sections (most likely the "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download or installation processes.

They do not properly disclose this information. Users often rush and skip these steps, thus inadvertently granting set-ups permission to modify various options, exposing their systems to risk of various infections, and compromising their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Note that PUPs are distributed using the "bundling" method and malicious ads. The main reasons for computer infections are careless behavior and lack of knowledge. Therefore, be cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general.

Pay close attention when downloading and installing software - study each step and cancel all additionally-included programs. Third party download and installation tools are monetized by promoting potentially unwanted programs (the "bundling" method). Therefore, we recommend that you avoid using such tools.

Criminals invest a great deal of resources into designing malicious ads - most appear genuine and it is difficult to determine if they originate from the visited (legitimate) website. In fact, malicious ads usually lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, survey, and other similar suspicious sites. If you encounter such ads, uninstall all suspicious programs and browser extensions.

Website promoting search.webfindersearch.com:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. 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. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is search.webfindersearch.com?
• STEP 1. Remove search.webfindersearch.com related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove search.webfindersearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove search.webfindersearch.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.webfindersearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

search.webfindersearch.com redirect removal:

Remove search.webfindersearch.com-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 browser hijacker-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker 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 correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure 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 the 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 its virus definition database and click the "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 browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers

Remove Safari browser hijackers:

Open the 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 regular 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 labeled "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 Google Chrome browser hijackers:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

▼ Show Discussion