Qsearch.com POP-UP Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is qsearch.com?
qsearch.com is an untrustworthy website that is promoted through potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Therefore, most people visit this website due to PUAs installed on their browsers (or computers). These apps cause unwanted redirects, collect user-system information, and display intrusive ads. Generally, people do not download and install PUAs intentionally.
When installed, PUAs open qsearch.com in a new browser window or tab. It then displays dubious content or opens other (about two or three) potentially malicious websites. This depends on the visitor's geolocation. The opened pages might be deceptive, contain malicious content, and so on. An installed unwanted app might also modify browser settings.
For example, assigning qsearch.com as the default search engine, and so on. Note, however, that this particular website is not a fake search engine (most browser-hijacking apps assign browser options to the URLs of fake search engines).
Furthermore, after installation, PUAs begin to regularly serve users with intrusive advertisements, such as pop-up ads, coupons, banners, surveys, etc. When clicked, they execute scripts that cause download and installation of other unwanted apps or simply open untrustworthy web pages.
One more downside of having apps of this type installed on your system is that they often collect browsing-related data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, geolocations, and other similar information. They might also record personal details.
PUA developers share the information with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Therefore, PUAs can cause privacy/browsing safety problems or even lead to identity theft. We recommend that you uninstall them immediately.
| Name | qsearch.com pop-up |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious 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), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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 many PUAs online, which are supposedly 'useful' and provide various features, tools and so on. In fact, they simply deliver ads, cause unwanted redirects, and collect data.
Qsearch.com website technical analysis:
- Serving IP address: 68.178.213.61
- Related domains: www.com; sycalservices.com; meraklininja.com; ashifigogo.com; www.www.www.com; sellvoip.com
- Full list of detections: VirusTotal
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Typically, PUAs are installed together with other software or through clicked intrusive advertisements. Unwanted downloads and installations occur through other programs when software developers use the "bundling" method. They include PUAs with download/installation set-ups of other software.
They hide information about the bundling of PUAs in "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings and options. Typically, unwanted downloads and installations happen when people leave these settings/options unchecked and unchanged, or when they click deceptive ads capable of running scripts designed to download and install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Do not download software (especially if it is free) from unofficial websites, using Peer-to-Peer networks, third party software downloaders, and other channels of this kind. Use only official websites and direct links. Furthermore, check all available download/installation settings and opt-out of offers to download/install PUAs.
Do not click intrusive ads, especially if they are shown on dubious websites. These often cause unwanted redirects to gambling, pornography, adult dating, and other similar pages. If you experience redirects or ads, check your computer and browser for unwanted or unknown programs, extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins.
Remove (uninstall) them immediately. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Pop-up ad causes by installed adware that is associated with qsearch.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 qsearch.com?
- STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
Potentially unwanted applications removal:
Remove 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 adware-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 exact 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 exact 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 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 adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers
Remove malicious Safari extensions:
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.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
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".
- 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".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Outstanding!
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