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Mysearches.ga Redirect (Mac)

Also Known As: mysearches.ga pop-up
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is mysearches.ga?

mysearches.ga is a rogue website designed to cause redirects to a number of other suspicious sites. Users are redirected to mysearches.ga by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that target MacOS.

Research shows that these programs cause redirects and infiltrate systems without users' consent, run unwanted processes, deliver intrusive advertisements, and continually record various user-system information.

mysearches.ga adware

Immediately after infiltration, potentially unwanted programs randomly open new browser windows/tabs and redirect to mysearches.ga. After visiting this site, users encounter a number (usually 2-4) of consecutive redirects to other sites. Therefore, users might be forced to visit websites that contain infectious content.

Thus, redirects to mysearches.ga can result in high-risk computer infections. As mentioned above, potentially unwanted programs (and some malicious websites) also misuse system resources to mine cryptocurrency or run other unwanted processes. As a result, overall computer performance is significantly reduced.

PUPs are also likely to deliver coupon, banner, pop-up, and various other intrusive advertisement types. To achieve this, developers employ various tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, generated ads often conceal underlying website content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

These ads also redirect to malicious websites and/or run scripts designed to download/install malware or other PUPs. Therefore, even accidental clicks can result in high-risk computer infections. Another downside is information tracking.

Research shows that most potentially unwanted programs collect IP addresses, keystrokes, URLs visited, pages viewed, geo-locations, and other information that might contain personal details. Developers record this information to generate revenue - they sell it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

Therefore, the presence of data-tracking apps might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, we strongly advise you to eliminate all browser-hijacking applications immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name mysearches.ga pop-up
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 potentially unwanted programs, all of which are virtually identical. By offering various "useful features" (e.g., file conversion, download performance enhancement, anti-virus/anti-spyware, etc.), PUPs often trick users to install. In fact, only a small percentage provide the functionality promised - most are useless for regular users.

Their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than (or, in some cases, together with) providing the features promised, PUPs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did mysearches.ga install on my computer?

To proliferate potentially unwanted programs, developers employ intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of third party programs together with regular software/apps). Therefore, users often install PUPs inadvertently, without their consent.

Developers do not adequately disclose installation of "bundled" apps - they hide this information within various sections (usually, the "Custom/Advanced" options) of the download or installation processes.

Therefore, skipping download/installation steps, and clicking various advertisements (without considering the possible consequences) exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

This situation can be prevented by expressing caution when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing programs.

Be aware that cyber criminals invest numerous resources to make intrusive ads seem legitimate, however, these ads are distinguishable for their redirects - users are usually redirected to gambling, adult dating, pornography, survey, and other rogue websites. In these cases, you should uninstall all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

Furthermore, carefully analyze each window (especially the "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation dialogues and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

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:

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

Adware removal:

Remove mysearches.ga-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac adware removal from 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 adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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 exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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 exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

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

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

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

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

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

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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