How to remove the FunctionLogInput browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is FunctionLogInput?
FunctionLogInput is a piece of rogue software categorized as a browser hijacker. It operates by promoting (causing redirects to) the search.imah5hf.com fake search engine - through modifications to browser settings.
FunctionLogInput also adds the "Managed by your organization" feature to Google Chrome browsers. Software within this category typically has data tracking abilities, which are used to spy on users' browsing activity.
Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate browser hijackers, they are classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) as well.
Browser hijackers primarily target popular browsers with large user bases. This software reassigns browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs - to the addresses of fake web searchers.
FunctionLogInput also makes these alterations to browser settings when promoting search.imah5hf.com. Hence, with this browser hijacker installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the search.imah5hf.com web searcher.
Illegitimate search engines are seldom able to provide search results, so they tend to redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other genuine ones. This applies to search.imah5hf.com as well; it redirects to the Google (google.com) search engine.
Furthermore, browser hijackers can reset any changes users try to make to their browsers and/or restrict/deny access to the browser settings outright. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it.
What is more, most browser hijackers can track data, which is likely to be the case with FunctionLogInput. Targeted information includes (but is not limited to): URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses, geolocations, and personally identifiable details.
The collected data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on browsers/systems - can result in severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
Therefore, to ensure device integrity and user safety, it is crucial to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | search.imah5hf.com redirect |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Promoted URL | search.imah5hf.com |
| Serving IP Address | 52.84.129.79 |
| 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. |
UltraWebFormat, Fire Search, Search Lime, and OriginalSearchManager are a few examples of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and offer various "handy" functionalities.
However, the advertised functions are usually nonoperational. In fact, this is true of practically all PUAs. The sole purpose of unwanted apps is to generate profit for the developers; they have no real value to users.
Instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns (adware), and gather vulnerable and private information.
How did FunctionLogInput install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed through download/installation setups of other programs. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is named "bundling".
Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive adverts are used to proliferate PUAs as well.
Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. Some PUAs also have "official" promotional/download webpages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, only official and verified download channels must be used. Untrustworthy sources, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).
In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be inspected and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
FunctionLogInput browser hijacker's fake search engine (search.imah5hf.com) set as the default on a Google Chrome browser:
"Managed by your organization" feature added to a Google Chrome browser by FunctionLogInput browser hijacker:
Appearance of search.imah5hf.com redirecting to the Google search engine (GIF):
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT 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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is FunctionLogInput?
- STEP 1. Remove FunctionLogInput related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove FunctionLogInput redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove FunctionLogInput browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove FunctionLogInput homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove FunctionLogInput browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
FunctionLogInput redirect removal:
Remove FunctionLogInput 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 browser hijacker-related files and folders
Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker 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 browser hijacker 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 browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker 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 correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure 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 the 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 its virus definition database and click the "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 browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers
Remove Safari browser hijackers:
Open the 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 regular 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 labeled "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 Google Chrome browser hijackers:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Outstanding!
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