How to remove redirects to search.adjustablesample.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove the search.adjustablesample.com browser hijacker from Mac computers
What is search.adjustablesample.com?
search.adjustablesample.com is the address of a fake search engine. These bogus search tools are typically promoted by Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs), specifically by software classified as browser hijackers. Note that search.adjustablesample.com is promoted by the SearchEngineLibrary browser hijacker. It operates by modifying browser settings and restricting/denying access to them to promote search.adjustablesample.com. Furthermore, most browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity. These apps usually have dubious proliferation methods, hence their classification as PUAs. One dubious method is called "bundling", which is pre-packing products with unwanted (possibly, malicious) additions. The rogue software installer promoting search.adjustablesample.com also promotes akamaihd.net, search.anysearchmanager.com and "Managed by your organization".
Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox and other popular browsers are common targets of browser hijackers. They assign the addresses of their fake search engines as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs. SearchEngineLibrary promotes search.adjustablesample.com in this manner. Therefore, with this browser hijacker installed, each search query typed into the URL bar and each new browser tab/window opened redirects to search.adjustablesample.com. Few bogus search engines can provide unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) genuine sites. This is the case with search.adjustablesample.com, which redirects to Safe Finder - this then redirects to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate search engine). Furthermore, these modifications cannot be undone without removal of the browser hijacker, since any changes users attempt to make are automatically reset (if access to the browser settings is allowed at all). It is highly likely that SearchEngineLibrary can track data. Browser hijackers usually monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, web pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for profit. To summarize, the presence of data tracking software on systems can result in financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, you are strongly advised to eliminate all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-in immediately upon detection.
| Name | SearchEngineLibrary browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names (rogue installer) |
Avast (MacOS:Agent-JI [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.15787), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Generic.15787 (B)), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Bnodler), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 104.124.58.146 |
| 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), displaying 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. |
Search.gratziany.com, search.doc2pdfsearch.com and search.pricklybears.com are some examples of other fake search engines. On initial inspection, they may seem legitimate, with little or no difference from genuine search tools, however, they are rarely able to generate unique results. Typically, they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate search engines. In the few cases when bogus search engines provide search results, they tend to be inaccurate and/or promote untrusted and malicious websites.
How did search.adjustablesample.com install on my computer?
PUAs such as SearchEngineLibrary commonly proliferate via the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious content is termed "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. skimming or ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) endangers systems with potential infiltration and infections originating from bundled applications. Some PUAs have "official" promotional web pages, from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive advertisements can also infiltrate these apps into devices. Once clicked, the ads can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to research all products to verify their legitimacy, prior to download/installation. Use only official and trustworthy download sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted and can offer likewise suspect content. When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads often seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.). If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious 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.
Deceptive application installer promoting search.adjustablesample.com (first installation step):
Second installation step of the rogue installer:
SearchEngineLibrary browser hijacker (promoting search.adjustablesample.com) installed on Google Chrome:
Default search engine setting controlled by the SearchEngineLibrary browser hijacker (search.adjustablesample.com):
Details of SearchEngineLibrary browser hijacker:
New browser tab/window URL modified by the rogue installer:
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the search.adjustablesample.com website are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles".
2) Select the "SearchLibrary" profile and delete it.
3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this browser hijacker.
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.adjustablesample.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.adjustablesample.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.adjustablesample.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.adjustablesample.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.adjustablesample.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
search.adjustablesample.com redirect removal:
Remove search.adjustablesample.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 searchenginelibrary 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.
SearchEngineLibrary browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove searchenginelibrary 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 searchenginelibrary 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 searchenginelibrary 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.
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