Searchp.icu Redirect (Mac)

What is searchp.icu?

Similar to homesweeklies.com and playsearchnow.com, searchp.icu (which is also known as searchp.club) is a fake search engine that falsely claims to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to a number of popular websites (such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and so on).

Judging on appearance alone, searchp.icu may seem legitimate, however, developers promote this site via rogue downloaders/installers that modify browser options without permission. In addition, searchp.icu records data relating to browsing activity.

Rogue set-ups target Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. After successful infiltration, searchp.icu assigns the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to searchp.icu. In addition, set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" - third party applications/browser plug-ins.

These tools are used to reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, although modifications made by set-ups may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them. Ultimately users are encouraged to visit searchp.icu when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience.

Note that searchp.icu redirects users to search.playsearchnow.com and, after entering a search query, they are redirected again to search.yahoo.com. Therefore, they end up searching via Yahoo (a legitimate search engine), thus making searchp.icu useless and redundant. Another significant downside is information tracking.

Fake search engines typically record information such as IP addresses, websites visited, search queries, pages viewed, and so on. Furthermore, this data typically contains personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by continuing to misuse private information.

Therefore, visiting searchp.icu can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to searchp.icu or search.playsearchnow.com, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to these sites.

Threat Summary:

Name	searchp.icu 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.

The internet is full of fake search engines that share similarities with searchp.icu. search.sfmac.com, linkey-search.com, and shortcutcommander.club - the list goes on. All offer functionality that supposedly enhances the browsing experience, but these claims are merely attempts to attempt to give the impression of legitimacy.

In fact, fake search engines have only one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. They provide no real value for regular users, cause unwanted redirects, and gather sensitive data, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a direct threat to your privacy.

Some fake search engines feed users with false results and intrusive advertisements, both leading to dubious websites. This can cause serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

How did searchp.icu install on my computer?

searchp.icu is mainly promoted using rogue download/installation tools. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that users often 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 these procedures. By rushing and skipping steps, many  users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify settings, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Potentially unwanted applications are distributed using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements (which redirect to malicious sites or execute scripts designed to download/install malware). To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software.

Carefully analyze all steps of the download/installation processes and opt-out of additionally-included programs. Furthermore, we recommend that you avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by promoting ("bundling") unwanted apps. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.

Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, but once clicked, redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.). Most are delivered by adware-type apps. Therefore, if you encounter suspicious redirects, 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. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

searchp.icu causing redirects to search.playsearchnow.com (GIF):

Website promoting searchp.icu:

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

Video showing how to remove searchp.icu browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

searchp.icu redirect removal:

Remove searchp.icu-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.

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