Stop redirects to search.remakovell.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove the search.remakovell.com browser hijacker from Mac computers
What is search.remakovell.com?
Similar to search.bannabell.com, search.pardessov.com, search.globalsearch.pw, and many others, search.remakovell.com is a fake search engine. At first glance, it may seem similar to Google, Bing, Yahoo and other legitimate search engines. Therefore, many users are tricked into believing that this site is also legitimate and useful. In fact, developers promote it via the download/installation set-ups of browser hijacking applications. These rogue apps change browser settings and most have data tracking abilities. Note that search.remakovell.com records information relating to users' browsing habits.
Browser hijackers typically target Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and other popular browsers. They assign the homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URL to search.remakovell.com. Therefore, each search query typed into the URL bar and each new tab/window opened redirects to the rogue search engine. Most fake search tools do no generate unique results and simply redirect to a legitimate search engine. This is the case with search.remakovell.com. Firstly, it redirects to search.genieosearch.com, and then to search.yahoo.com, a genuine search engine. Furthermore, hijacking applications install additional applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins ("helper objects"). These additions reset any changes made to browsers by users. Both "helper objects" and search.remakovell.com monitor users' browsing activities (URLs visited, pages viewed, search engine history, etc.). This data might contain personal information such as IP addresses, geolocations, etc. The data is then passed on to third parties (possibly, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. This can lead to serious privacy issues and even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to search.remakovell.com, remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins.
| Name | search.remakovell.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Serving IP Address | 3.208.185.26 |
| 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, leaking 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. |
Fake search engines are all very similar or even identical. They offer improved search results, often with additional features (e.g. weather forecasts, quick access to latest news and viral content, download/install process optimization, and so on). In fact, they offer no useful features. The only purpose of these products and other unwanted content is to generate revenue for the designers. Users receive no real value. Fake search engines cause unwanted redirects to sale-oriented, malicious websites and gather sensitive information.
How did search.remakovell.com install on my computer?
search.remakovell.com is promoted by rogue download/installation set-ups. This dubious marketing method is called "bundling". Developers of unwanted apps are aware of the tendency of many users to rush download/installation processes. Therefore, they hide details of additional apps within download/install terms or other software. Details are often hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. By ignoring download/installation terms and skipping steps, many users inadvertently install dubious content and software onto their systems. This compromises browser/device integrity and users' personal privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Use only official and verified sources to download software. Do not use untrustworthy download sources, such as Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (e.g. BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.), free file hosting websites, or other third party downloaders - these are likely to offer programs bundled with potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Carefully study all windows/sections of the download/installation set-ups. Use "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of download/installation of additional apps/features. Note that intrusive advertisements can also proliferate PUAs. Commonly, hosted by untrustworthy websites, these ads often seem legitimate, however, once clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs. They can also generate redirects to dubious web pages (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling, and other similar sites). If you encounter suspicious redirects, check the system and remove all dubious apps and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
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.remakovell.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.remakovell.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.remakovell.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.remakovell.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.remakovell.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
search.remakovell.com redirect removal:
Remove search.remakovell.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 search.remakovell.com 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.
search.remakovell.com browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove search.remakovell.com 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 search.remakovell.com 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 search.remakovell.com 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!