How to uninstall the app designed to promote searches.network
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searches.network?
searches.network is a fake search engine which displays results generated by webcrawler.com, another bogus search engine. Research shows that searches.network is promoted through a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker that users often install through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer.
Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by modifying certain browser settings. Note that they are categorized as PUAs, since users often download and install them unintentionally.
Browser hijackers promote fake search engines by assigning their address as the homepage, default search engine and new tab. The main purpose of this is to ensure that users are forced to visit a specific address (in this case, searches.network) when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.
As mentioned, searches.network redirects users to webcrawler.com, another dubious search engine. Commonly, these bogus search engines include links to dubious websites in their results and, therefore, they should not be trusted.
To remove searches.network from browser settings, users must first uninstall the browser hijacker, otherwise the app will reassign the settings after each attempt to modify or remove them. Browser hijackers often collect entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, and other browsing data.
They might also be capable of accessing sensitive information. The data is sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) or misused to generate revenue in other ways. Therefore, installed PUAs can lead to problems such as identity theft, issues relating to browsing safety, online privacy, etc.
| Name | searches.network browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names (flashInstaller.dmg) | ALYac (Trojan.OSX.Shlayer), BitDefender (Trojan.GenericKD.34050467), ESET-NOD32 (OSX/Adware.Bundlore.DZ), Microsoft (Trojan:Script/Wacatac.C!ml), Full List (VirusTotal). |
| Serving IP Address | 104.18.44.198 |
| Symptoms | Your Mac became 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. |
searches.cloud, searchsnow.com and prudensearch.com are some of examples of other fake search engines. Typically, they provide results generated by other (often legitimate) search engines or generate those that might include links to dubious pages. In any case, use only legitimate search engines.
If a browser is hijacked by a browser hijacker (settings are modified), uninstall the PUA immediately.
How did searches.network install on my computer?
Research shows that searches.network appears in browser settings when users install a PUA through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer. Note that these installers often install malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojan-type malware). PUAs are commonly distributed though the download/installation set-ups of other programs.
This distribution method is called "bundling". Generally, PUAs are included as 'additional offers' in "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other settings. Many users download and install software without checking and changing these settings. This allows PUAs to infiltrate with regular software.
In some cases, unwanted downloads and installations are caused by clicking untrusted, deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to download files and software only from official pages and through direct links. Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, installers, unofficial, dubious websites, etc., should not be trusted. Check all "Custom" and "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download or install PUAs before completing the process.
Do not click advertisements that are displayed on untrusted websites, since they can redirect to potentially malicious pages or cause download/installation of unwanted apps. Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons and plug-ins from the browser.
The same applies to programs of this kind that are 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.
searches.network redirects to webcrawler.com (GIF):
Deceptive application installer promoting searches.network:
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the searches.network 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 "Chrome Settings" 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is searches.network?
- STEP 1. Remove searches.network related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove searches.network redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove searches.network browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove searches.network homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove searches.network browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
searches.network redirect removal:
Remove searches.network-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 searches.network 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.
searches.network browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove searches.network 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 searches.network 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 searches.network 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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