Search.bittsearch.com Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove search.bittsearch.com browser hijacker from Mac?
What is search.bittsearch.com?
search.bittsearch.com is a fake web search engine that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to various popular websites. Judging on appearance alone, search.bittsearch.com may seem legitimate and useful, however, this site is promoted using a browser-hijacking application called bittsearch. Furthermore, search.bittsearch.com and bittsearch gather information relating to web browsing habits.
bittsearch targets Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Following infiltration, it assigns the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL settings to search.bittsearch.com These changes may seem significant, and yet users are unable to revert them. Research shows that bittsearch reassigns browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, as long as bittsearch is present, returning browsers to their previous states is impossible and users are encouraged to visit search.bittsearch.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience. Note that once a search query is entered, users are redirected to webcrawler.com, thus making search.bittsearch.com useless. Another important issue is information tracking. Research shows that search.bittsearch.com and bittsearch continually gather information relating to web browsing activity. Recorded information is later shared with third parties to generate revenue. Since the data might contain personal details, there is a high probability that information tracking will lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate the bittsearch browser hijacker and never return to search.bittsearch.com
| Name | bittsearch 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. |
There are dozens of fake search engines that share similarities with search.bittsearch.com. The list of examples includes (but it is not limited to) sleepshadow.com, weknow.ac, g-search.pro, and search.stosgame.com. By offering improved search results and, in some cases, other "useful features" (weather forecasts, latest worldwide news, shortcuts to popular sites, etc.) fake search engines attempt to trick users into believing that these sites are legitimate and useful. In fact, they are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than providing any real value, they cause unwanted redirects and record sensitive information. In addition, some generate misleading search results and intrusive advertisements (coupons, banners, and so on). These typically lead to dubious sites. Therefore, using fake search engines can lead to various computer infections.
How did bittsearch install on my computer?
bittsearch is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) is also distributed using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods. Intrusive ads redirect users to various malicious websites and execute scripts that stealthily download and install PUPs (or even malware). "Bundling", on the other hand, is stealth installation of PUPs together with regular software. Developers hide "bundled" apps within various sections (typically "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation processes - they do not disclose this information properly. Furthermore, many users are likely to click advertisements, rush download/installation processes, and skip steps - behavior that often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs such as bittsearch. In this way, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The main reasons for computer infections are lack of knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Note that developers invest many resources into intrusive ad design, thereby making them seem legitimate, however, the ads redirect to dubious websites such as gambling, adult dating, and similar. In addition, they are often proliferated by adware-type PUPs. If you experience suspicious redirects, immediately eliminate all dubious apps and browser extensions. Closely observe each step of the download/installation processes and cancel all additionally-included programs. You are advised to download your apps from official sources only, using direct download links. Remember that developers monetize third party downloader/installers using the "bundling" method, and thus these tools should never be used. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Website promoting bittsearch:
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups and/or apps that promote the search.bittsearch.com website are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles"
2) Select the "AdminPrefs" profile and delete it.
3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this browser hijacker.
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
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 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is search.bittsearch.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.bittsearch.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.bittsearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.bittsearch.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.bittsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
search.bittsearch.com redirect removal:
Remove search.bittsearch.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 bittsearch 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.
bittsearch browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove bittsearch 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 bittsearch 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 bittsearch 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.
Outstanding!
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