Search.zanzibog.com Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
How to remove search.zanzibog.com browser hijacker from Mac?
What is search.zanzibog.com?
search.zanzibog.com is another fake web search engine identical to search.pitchofcase.com, search.papershorty.com, search.salamangal.com, and many others. As with these examples, search.zanzibog.com also offers improved search results, and thus, many users believe that this site is legitimate and useful. In fact, developers promote search.zanzibog.com via browser-hijacking download/installation set-ups that modify browser options without permission. In addition, search.zanzibog.com continually gathers various data relating to web browsing activity.
Rogue set-ups hijack Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, assigning search.zanzibog.com as the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage settings. Furthermore, set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (third party potentially unwanted programs [PUPs] and/or browser extensions), which reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to return browser settings to their previous states and are forced to visit search.zanzibog.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. In addition, search.zanzibog.com and "helper objects" record information relating to web browsing activity. Be aware that collected data (IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) typically includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to search.zanzibog.com, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to this site.
The Internet is full of fake search engines, all of which are virtually identical. By offering improved results and other "useful features" (quick access to popular websites, weather forecasts, and so on) websites such as search.zanzibog.com attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, rather than giving any significant value for regular users, they cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information. Some are also designed to feed users with false results and intrusive ads (coupons, banners, and so on). Therefore, using fake search engines can lead to high-risk computer infections. Their only purpose is to help developers generate passive revenue.
How did search.zanzibog.com install on my computer?
As mentioned above, search.zanzibog.com is promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that many users rush download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, all information regarding modification of browser settings is hidden within "Custom/Advanced" options or other sections of the download/installation processes. By skipping steps, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to perform changes, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
This situation can be prevented simply by paying close attention when downloading/installing software, and browsing the Internet. PUPs are also distributed using the "bundling" method, and intrusive advertisements. Therefore, carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. You are advised to download your apps from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers proliferate PUPs, and thus, these tools should never be used. Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, but redirect to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. If you experience these redirects, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior - the key to safety is caution.
Website promoting search.zanzibog.com:
Quick menu:
- What is search.zanzibog.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.zanzibog.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.zanzibog.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.zanzibog.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.zanzibog.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
search.zanzibog.com redirect removal:
Remove search.zanzibog.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.
Download remover for search.zanzibog.com browser hijacker
1) Download and install 2) Run system scan 3) Enjoy your clean computer!
Remove search.zanzibog.com 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.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
search.zanzibog.com browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove search.zanzibog.com 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 search.zanzibog.com 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 search.zanzibog.com 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.