Stop browsers from opening searchletter.com

What is searchletter.com?

searchletter.com is the address of a fake search engine designed to provide fast and accurate results. Like most search engines of this type, searchletter.com is promoted through rogue download and/or installation set-ups that modify browser settings. Furthermore, if used, this site gathers various information relating to users' internet browsing habits.

In most cases, these software set-ups (rogue downloaders and installers) modify the settings of browsers such as Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox. Typically, they change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL.

In this case, they are assigned to searchletter.com, and thus users are forced to visit this fake search engine when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar. To prevent users from undoing any of these settings, rogue set-ups install browser apps (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons).

These apps reassign the aforementioned settings when attempts are made to change/undo them. In summary, the only way to remove searchletter.com or other addresses appointed by rogue set-ups is to uninstall the 'helper object'. Note that searchletter.com is advertised as a search engine, however, it simply redirects users to bing.com. 

Therefore, users are provided with results gathered by another, legitimate search engine. Furthermore, most fake search engines (and installed unwanted apps) gather information such as users' IP addresses, geolocations, URLs of visited websites, entered search queries, and other data.

In some cases, sensitive details are also targeted. Developers of these search engines and apps share the information with other parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Threat Summary:

Name	searchletter.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Serving IP Address	216.146.46.11
Detection Names	Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
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 browser 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. ▼ 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.

People who use fake search engines risk problems with browsing safety, privacy, or might even have their identities stolen. Developers often advertise these search engines as legitimate or useful, however, most deliver no unique results or any other value. Examples of other search engines of this type are qsearch.pw, smartsearch.pw, and search.epolife.com.

How did searchletter.com install on my computer?

Generally, people who allow rogue set-ups to change browser settings do so unintentionally. This happens when developers use deceptive methods to trick them. Typically, they achieve this by hiding information about possible changes in "Custom", "Advanced" and other parts of the download or installation set-ups.

Unfortunately, many people fail to check or change these settings, thereby inadvertently granting set-ups permission to change browser settings and/or install various unwanted apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

All software and/or files should be downloaded from official pages and using direct download links. Do not use other sources or tools such as unofficial pages, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, and so on), third party downloaders, installers, etc.

If a setup contains options such as "Advanced", "Custom", check them carefully: decline offers to download/install unwanted apps and do not allow browser settings to be changed.

Do not click intrusive ads, especially if displayed on untrustworthy, unofficial websites - they can open other untrustworthy, potentially malicious websites or even download and install unwanted apps. To prevent browsers from opening dubious web pages and showing unwanted ads, uninstall all unwanted or unknown apps (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons).

Also remove any 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.

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

Video showing how to get rid of unwanted redirects to searchletter.com using Combo Cleaner:

searchletter.com redirect removal:

Remove searchletter.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 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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