How to remove the Brilliant Check browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove Brilliant Check browser hijacker from Mac?
What is Brilliant Check?
Identical to Searchlee and similar to countless others, Brilliant Check is a browser hijacker. Following successful infiltration, it changes to browser settings in order to promote brilliantcheck.com - a fake search engine. In addition, Brilliant Check operates as adware; it injects various advertisements into the search results. Most browser hijackers are capable of tracking browsing-related data. Due to the questionable methods used to distribute Brilliant Check, it is also classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).
Browser hijackers mainly target Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and other browsers with large user bases. This software assigns fake web searcher addresses (e.g., brilliantcheck.com) as browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. These seemingly minor alterations seriously affect browsing quality. To elaborate, with Brilliant Check installed: every new browser tab/window opened and web search done via the URL bar - redirect to brilliantcheck.com. This search engine is deemed to be illegitimate as it provides untrustworthy search results with misleading/harmful ads inserted into them. Amongst the advertised websites are likely to be rogue, deceptive/scam, PUA promotional/download, and even malicious pages. Some fake web searchers cannot provide search results, so they tend to redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate search engines.
Browser hijackers can also ensure persistence by resetting any changes users try to make to their browsers. Alternatively, this software may restrict/deny access to the browser settings outright. Therefore, recovering an affected browser is impossible without removing the browser hijacker.
Furthermore, Brilliant Check likely has data tracking abilities. Browser hijackers usually monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations, personally identifiable details, etc.). The collected data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, data-tracking software can cause severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even result in identity theft. It is crucial to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.
| Name | brilliantcheck.com redirect |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Promoted URL | brilliantcheck.com |
| Serving IP Address (brilliantcheck.com) |
23.101.120.195 |
| 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. |
Safe Finder, OriginalSearchManager, MovieFinder365, and Bright Start are some examples of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and typically offer various functionalities. However, despite how good the promised features may sound - they are rarely operational. This is true of nearly all PUAs. Functionality and user safety are irrelevant, as the only purpose of unwanted apps is to generate profit for the developers. PUAs are designed to hijack browsers, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, cause redirects, and collect vulnerable data.
How did Brilliant Check install on my computer?
PUAs are proliferated via download/installation setups of other products. This deceptive marketing technique of packing ordinary software with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling". By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g., by ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) - users risk unintentionally allowing dubious and/or bundled content into their devices. Intrusive ads proliferate PUAs as well; once clicked on, they can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Unwanted applications may also have "official" promotional webpages, from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is important to research products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, only official and verified download channels should be used. Untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third party downloaders) commonly offer harmful and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced settings and opt-out from additional apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate; however, they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and others). Should users encounter ads and/or redirects of this type, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspicious 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.
Appearance of brilliantcheck.com generating fake search results and displaying advertisements (GIF):
Brilliant Check browser hijacker may display this pop-up window:
Text presented in the pop-up:
"[random_number]" wants access to control "Safari". Allowing control will provide access to documents and data in "Safari", and to perform actions within that app.
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 Brilliant Check?
- STEP 1. Remove Brilliant Check related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove Brilliant Check redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove Brilliant Check browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Brilliant Check homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove Brilliant Search browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
Brilliant Check redirect removal:
Remove Brilliant Check 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 brilliantcheck.com redirect 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.
brilliantcheck.com redirect homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove brilliantcheck.com redirect 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 brilliantcheck.com redirect 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 brilliantcheck.com redirect 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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