Uninstall the Epsilon browser hijacker from your Mac

How to remove Epsilon browser hijacker from Mac?

What is Epsilon?

Epsilon is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that supposedly allows users to search, check weather forecasts, and change background images via the browser. In fact, it is categorized as a browser hijacker that changes browser settings and promotes the qsearch.pw fake search engine. It also promotes dubious web pages including  trovi.com and searchpage.com. This PUA is installed together with another rogue app called PlayerWeb.

A browser is hijacked when a user intentionally or unintentionally downloads and installs a browser hijacker such as Epsilon. These apps are often compatible with more than one browser. I.e., users can install them on different browsers (such as Safari, Chrome, or Firefox). When Epsilon is installed, it changes browser settings such as default homepage, search engine, and URL address of a new tab. On the Google Chrome browser, it assigns them to qsearch.pw. When a search query is entered into the URL bar of a hijacked Chrome browser, it displays results generated by Yahoo (via search.yahoo.com). In other cases, it opens the Yahoo search engine through another dubious website, searchpage.com. If a search query on the hijacked Chrome is entered into the search bar, it displays results gathered by Google (via redirects to google.com), however, this search engine is opened through a dubious website called trovi.com. Search engines that display results gathered by other (official, legitimate) engines are useless. These search engines and the browser hijackers that promote them usually gather information such as entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, geolocations, IP addresses, and so on. It is possible that some of these apps/fake search engines will also gather personal details. Developers sell the information to third parties who misuse it to generate revenue. Browser hijackers and fake search engines can thus cause privacy/browsing safety issues or even identity theft. Since Epsilon is a PUA, it should be uninstalled immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Epsilon redirect
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.
Promoted URLs	qsearch.pw, trovi.com, searchpage.com.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Removal	To eliminate malware infections our security researchers recommend scanning your computer with Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Combo Cleaner.

The Internet is full of apps that are designed to hijack browsers and promote fake search engines. One example is MacAppExtensions. Typically, apps of this type are advertised as useful apps that supposed include features (such as quick access to weather forecasts). In fact, they simply gather data and force users to visit dubious websites.

How did Epsilon install on my computer?

Developers distribute Epsilon by bundling it into the set-ups of other software such as installers of fake Adobe Flash Players. Typically, information about additionally added (bundled) PUAs is not properly disclosed and can be found hidden in options/settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced" of the download or installation set-ups. Furthermore, man people fail to check or change these settings. By leaving them unchanged, they agree to download and install bundled, potentially unwanted apps by default. PUAs are often unintentionally downloaded or installed when users click deceptive ads that should not be trusted.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To avoid unwanted installations, download and install software properly. Check settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and "Manual" when downloading and installing any program, especially if it is free. Deselect unwanted offers and only then complete the setup. Avoid downloading software from untrustworthy/unofficial websites, through torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), and so on. The safest way to download files and programs is via official and trustworthy pages. Avoid clicking suspicious ads, especially if they are displayed on untrustworthy, unofficial websites (such as pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.). These usually lead to other, potentially malicious pages or even unwanted downloads and installations. If a browser opens dubious web pages or displays unwanted ads, check for infiltrating by PUAs. See apps (extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons) installed on the browser and remove all unwanted entries immediately. The same should be applied to programs of this type installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Deceptive application installer promoting Epsilon:

Screenshot of Epsilon extension installed on the Safari web browser:

Instant automatic macOS 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 macOS 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. Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Combo Cleaner.

Quick menu:

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

Video showing how to remove Epsilon browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Epsilon redirect removal:

Remove Epsilon-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 epsilon redirect 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.

Epsilon redirect homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove epsilon redirect 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 epsilon redirect 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 epsilon redirect 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.