How to remove apps that change browser settings to d2sri.com?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove d2sri.com browser hijacker from Mac?
What is d2sri.com?
D2sri.com is the address of a fake search engine which is promoted via various potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) like browser hijackers, adware-type apps. It is known that one of the PUAs which is designed to promote d2sri.com is called ElementaryUnit. Simply said, most users do not use fake search engines on purpose - they are forced to do so by some potentially unwanted application that is installed on a browser and/or computer. As a rule, users do not download and/or install PUAs intentionally, knowingly.
Search engines like d2sri.com are called fake because they do not generate unique, individual results or they generate results that may include links to untrustworthy pages. Usually, fake search engines display results generated by some legitimate search engine. When used, d2sri.com provides results generated by Yahoo (it redirects users to search.yahoo.com). It is worthwhile that 2sri.com redirects users to search.yahoo.com via chunckapp.com, another untrustworthy address. In most cases apps that promote fake search engines change settings such as address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab and do not allow users do undo such changes unless users uninstall those apps. Therefore, d2sri.com can be removed from browser settings only when some PUA (e.g., ElementaryUnit) is no longer installed. Another reason not to have such apps installed on a browser and/or computer is that they may be designed to collect browsing-related and or other details. For example, IP addresses, URLs of visited pages, entered search queries, geolocations and other browsing data, or even sensitive information. Collected data may be sold to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) or misused to generate revenue in some other ways. Also, it is common that addresses like d2sri.com are promoted by apps that are designed to serve ads (e.g., coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups). If clicked, those ads may open untrustworthy sites or even execute scripts that would download or even install unwanted software.
| Name | d2sri.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady 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 shady 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 is a great number of various fake search engines, some more examples are 6v5f3l.com, search.locatorunit.com and search.productivebrowser.com. As a rule, they appear in browser settings after installation of some adware, browser hijacker, or other type of PUA. Either way, it is advised not to use fake search engines and apps that are designed to promote them. As mentioned in the introduction, most of the times users download and install PUAs unknowingly.
How did d2sri.com install on my computer?
Research shows that some of the apps that are designed to promote d2sri.com are distributed via fake Adobe Flash Player installers. It is common that such installers are used to distribute not only PUAs but also malware like ransomware, Trojans. Another popular way to trick users into downloading and/or installing PUAs is by using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". In such cases developers include unwanted apps in download and/or installation setups of other programs and hope that users will not decline offers to download and/or install them. As a rule, such offers can be declined via "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings of setups. Also, sometimes PUAs can be downloaded and/or installed via deceptive ads. However, only when those ads are designed to execute certain scripts and users click them.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
"Custom", "Advanced" or other settings of download and/or installation setups should be always checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted software. Any software (and files) should be downloaded from official websites and via direct links. Download channels, tools like Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, third party downloaders, etc., should not be used. Third party installers should not be used too. Advertisements that appear on various shady pages should not be clicked as well. Quite often they are designed to open untrustworthy websites or download, install unwanted, potentially malicious software. Unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons or plug-ins that are installed on a browser should be removed. Software of this kind that is installed on the operating system should be uninstalled as well. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
One of the applications (ElementaryUnit) used to distribute d2sri.com installed on Safari:
Fake Adobe Flash Player installer used to distribute ElementaryUnit:
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 d2sri.com?
- STEP 1. Remove d2sri.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove d2sri.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove d2sri.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove d2sri.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
d2sri.com redirect removal:
Remove d2sri.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 d2sri.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.
d2sri.com browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove d2sri.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 d2sri.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 d2sri.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!
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