How to remove GoSearch22 unwanted app?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
What is GoSearch22?
GoSearch22 is the name of a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that functions as adware - it generates advertisements. It belongs to the family of adware-type apps called Pirrit. It is not common for apps like GoSearch22 to be downloaded and installed by users intentionally, that is why they are called potentially unwanted.
It is worthwhile to mention that it is possible that GoSearch22 is designed not only to generate ads but also to collect some information.
According to Patrick Wardle, the GoSearch22 is an application containing the native M1 (arm64) code. It means that GoSearch22 can run on M1 systems (it is compatible with the latest Apple hardware). More precisely, it can run on MacBook Air (2020), Mac mini (2020), and the MacBook Pro 13" (2020) computers.
GoSearch22 may be the first unwanted application that can run on ARM-based systems. It is known that it persists on macOS via a LaunchAgent and installs itself as a Safari extension.
When users have apps like GoSearch22 installed on a browser and/or the operating system, they are forced to occasionally see coupons, banners, pop-up ads, surveys, and/or ads of other types. Quite often ads by apps like GoSearch22 are designed to promote dubious websites or even download and/or install unwanted apps by executing certain scripts.
Moreover, adware-type apps like GoSearch22 tend to be designed to collect browsing data. For instance, details like IP addresses, addresses of visited web pages, entered search queries, geolocations, and other browsing-related information. However, in some cases they may be designed to gather sensitive data as well.
Therefore, users of such apps are at risk of encountering issues related to browsing safety, online privacy, or even becoming victims of identity theft.
| Name | Ads by GoSearch22 |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:MaxOfferDeal-BB [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Pirrit.KS), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Pirrit.ac), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Additional Information | This application belongs to Pirrit adware family. |
| 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. |
More adware examples are AuraSearch, FPVideo and FlexibleProtocol. Typically, such apps are designed to generate ads and/or gather certain data. Although, in some cases they are designed to promote fake search engines/function as browser hijackers as well. Either way, most of them are useless to their users and can be the culprit of certain issues.
How did GoSearch22 install on my computer?
It is popular for potentially unwanted apps to be distributed by integrating them in download and/or installation setups of other programs as extra offers. This distribution method is known as "bundling".
Typically, users can decline unwanted offers by unticking certain checkboxes or via "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings of that are available in download and/or installation setups. Users download and/or install PUAs when they finish downloads and/or installations without changing any of the aforementioned settings.
In some cases PUAs are distributed via deceptive advertisements by designing them to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial pages, Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, or other tools, sources should not be used. Files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and via direct download links.
Downloads and installations should not be finishing without checking "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" or other settings/declining unwanted offers. Advertisements on questionable, unofficial pages should not be clicked as well: it is common for those ads to be designed to promote potentially malicious websites or cause unwanted downloads, installations.
Any suspicious, unwanted, unknown extensions, plug-ins and/or add-ons that are installed on a browser (or programs of this kind that installed on the operating system) should be removed. If your computer is already infected with GoSearch22, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
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 GoSearch22?
- STEP 1. Remove GoSearch22 related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove GoSearch22 ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove GoSearch22 adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove GoSearch22 ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
GoSearch22 adware removal:
Remove GoSearch22-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 ads by gosearch22 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.
Ads by GoSearch22 removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by gosearch22 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.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ads by gosearch22 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.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ads by gosearch22 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.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!
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