Remove redirects to and from search.newsflashapp.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove the search.newsflashapp.com browser hijacker from Mac computers
What is search.newsflashapp.com?
search.newsFlashapp.com is a fake search engine, allegedly capable of providing enhanced search results and quick access to latest news sources. Judging on appearance alone, the site barely differs from legitimate search engines such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo. Therefore, users frequently believe it to be a genuine and useful tool. In fact, developers promote search.newsFlashapp.com through the News Flash browser hijacker, and possibly via other download/installation set-ups of similar rogue applications. These apps operate by modifying browsers without users' consent. Additionally, search.newsFlashapp.com and browser hijackers gather information relating to browsing activity.
Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox are common targets of rogue set-ups. Once successfully infiltrated, they change browser homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs promote their fraudulent web searching tools. Each new tab/window opened and each web search via the URL bar redirects to search.newsFlashapp.com. Most fake search engines are unable to generate unique results, and therefore redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) a legitimate search engine. This is the case with search.newsFlashapp.com - it redirects to search.yahoo.com. Furthermore, News Flash (and other browser hijackers used to promote search.newsFlashapp.com) limit/deny access to browser settings and/or simply reset any changes made. Consequently, recovery of affected browsers impossible, unless the rogue app is removed. As mentioned, browser hijackers and search.newsFlashapp.com have data tracking abilities. They monitor users' browsing habits (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.), which contain personal information (IP address, geolocation, and private details). This private data is then passed on to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), seeking to misuse it to generate profit. Therefore, the presence of data tracking content on systems can lead to severe privacy issues and even culminate in identity theft. If you experience redirects to search.newsFlashapp.com or similar websites, remove all dubious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins.
| Name | News Flash browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Serving IP Address | 18.211.175.241 |
| 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. |
There are thousands of fake search engines online, most of which are similar. For example, search.newsflashapp.com is very similar to search.pardessov.com, genieonews.com, search.mapsglobalsearch.com, and many others. These fraudulent web search tools usually offer improved search results and an enhanced browsing experience. They often advertise additional features such as quick access to news, TV-content, weather forecasts, and so on. Despite how useful and beneficial these features may sound, in most cases, they are redundant. The only purpose of these fraudulent web searchers is to generate revenue for the developers - they have no real value for regular users. Fake search engines cause redirects to sale-oriented, untrustworthy, malicious websites and gather sensitive data.
How did search.newsflashapp.com install on my computer?
search.newsFlashapp.com is promoted by rogue download/installation set-ups. This marketing technique is called "bundling". Developers of fraudulent and unwanted content are well aware of users' tendency to rush through these set-ups and they freely misuse this information. Details about how a certain application or browser extension/plug-in operates (e.g. changes to browser settings, data tracking, etc.) are frequently hidden within download/installation terms and other similar sections. Opt-out/decline options are often located within the "Custom/Advanced" settings or other download/installation windows. By ignoring these terms, skipping steps, and using pre-set options, many users endanger their systems with potential infiltration and infections.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to use official and verified download channels. Note that peer-to-peer sharing networks (e.g. BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.), free file hosting and unofficial websites, and third party downloaders are classed as untrustworthy. Be very cautious when downloading/installing your content. Read download/installation terms to avoid installing unwanted or malicious software. Use "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out/decline additional offers (e.g. applications, tools, features, and others). When browsing, refrain from clicking various ads. Intrusive advertisements usually seem normal and harmless, and thus it is easy to be tricked into clicking them. In fact, they can redirect to untrustworthy websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.) and might also execute scripts to download/install dubious apps. If you encounter suspicious redirects and/or dubious advertisements, study the system and remove all unwanted applications and 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.
Website promoting search.newsflashapp.com:
News Flash extension on Google Chrome:
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.newsflashapp.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.newsflashapp.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.newsflashapp.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.newsflashapp.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.newsflashapp.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove unwanted applications that promote search.newsflashapp.com website using Combo Cleaner:
search.newsflashapp.com redirect removal:
Remove search.newsflashapp.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 news flash 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.
News Flash browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove news flash 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 news flash 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 news flash 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!
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