QSearch is a dubious Mac application that has been labeled as Adware. This assertion is supported by the threat’s trait that makes money by showing too many adverts on the affected browser software. In addition, QSearch is classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) since it employs a number of deceptive strategies to covertly enter Mac computers. In reality, Mac users mistake the unexpected arrival of QSearch on their computers for a virus infestation.
As we just discussed earlier, QSearch is Adware or a PUA. Threats of this kind are thought to be less dangerous than computer viruses. In particular, QSearch is focused solely on gaining control of the browser application in order to benefit from it. That is the main cause of the excessive amount of advertising that Mac users will see once QSearch enters the browser. The advertisem*nts may show up in the internet program as pop-ups, banners, or redirection.
Despite the fact that QSearch is not a virus, Mac users shouldn’t dismiss its presence. To prevent additional contamination, we still strongly advise removing it from the machine, similar to browser dangers like AdaptAction, NetFraction, and ProgressCache. The adverts that QSearch displays frequently have harmful links that could direct the browser to risky landing pages including those that are the hosts of adware or malware.
It has been noted that the major method of distribution for the QSearch app is software bundling. Adware is frequently included in freeware or shareware that is distributed through various websites, particularly dubious ones. There have been instances where Mac users unintentionally downloaded QSearch by accepting a purported software update presented by some obnoxious pop-ups. The false software update pop-up sample is shown in the image below.
We advise performing a scan on the infected Mac computer using reliable anti-virus and anti-malware software in order to remove QSearch. The following is a comprehensive guide. Please follow the instructions precisely to completely remove the danger.
Procedures to Remove QSearch from Mac
This area contains comprehensive procedures to help you remove adware and potentially unwanted program from the computer. Guide on this page are written in a manner that can be easily understand and execute by Mac users.
To successfully remove QSearch from your Mac, follow the steps below:
- 1. Scan the computer with the Combo Cleaner tool.
- 2. Uninstall QSearch from the Applications folder.
- 3. Remove malicious browser extensions.
- 4. Delete QSearch files from your Mac computer.
- 5. Run another scan with Malwarebytes for Mac.
- 6. Remove QSearch from homepage and search.
Step 1 : - Scan the Mac Computer with Combo Cleaner
Combo Cleaner is a trusted Mac utility application with complete antivirus and optimization features. It is useful in dealing with adware, malware, and PUP's. Moreover, it can get rid of adware like QSearch.
1. Download the tool from the following page:
Download Combo Cleaner for Mac
2. Double-click the downloaded file, combocleaner.dmg and proceed with the installation.
3. The installation window will open. Please double-click or drag the Combo Cleaner icon to the Applications folder.
4. Proceed with the installation. When it displays the Software License Agreement, please click Continue, and then click on Agree in the confirmation window. Continue with the default installation.
5. The program should run automatically after installation. If not, open your Launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon.
6. Wait until antivirus downloads its latest virus definition updates and click on "Start Combo Scan" to start removing QSearch and other issues on the Mac computer.
7. After the virus and disk scan processes, the tool will display the results. Click on Remove Selected to start cleaning the computer.
To fully optimize the features of antivirus and privacy scanners, users may have to upgrade to the premium version.
If you are comfortable manually removing the adware and other malicious objects associated with it, please proceed with the remaining steps.
Step 2 : Delete QSearch from Mac Applications
1. Go to Finder.
2. On the menu, click Go and then, select Applications from the list to open Applications Folder.
3. Find QSearch or any unwanted program.
4. Drag QSearch to Trash Bin to delete the application from Mac.
5. Next, go to the Dock, right-click on the Trash icon, and click on Empty Trash.
Step 3 : Remove Browser Extensions that belongs to QSearch
Most adware and unwanted programs use an application called a "browser extension" to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend checking and removing the extension that is closely related toQSearch. If it is not present, look for and delete any suspicious browser extension.
Google Chrome
Remove theQSearch Extension from Google Chrome
1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
2. Input the strings below in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard:
chrome://extensions/
3. Find QSearch or a relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome.
Safari
Remove Malicious Extension from Safari
1. Open the Safari browser.
2. On the top menu, click Safari > Settings or Preferences.
3. The Safari settings window will open. Please select the Extensions tab.
4. Locate the suspicious extension and click the Uninstall button to remove it from Safari.
5. You may now close the window and restart Safari.
Microsoft Edge
RemoveQSearch from Microsoft Edge Browser
1. Open the Microsoft Edge program.
2. Input or copy and paste the following string in the address bar. Press press Enter on the keyboard:
edge://extensions/
3. Look for and Remove or Disable entries forQSearch from the Installed Extensions area.
4. You may now close the window and restart the Microsoft Edge browser.
Mozilla Firefox
Uninstallthe QSearch Extension from Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. Type or copy and paste the strings below in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard:
about:addons
3. Click on Extensions from the sidebar menu.
4. Look for an entry that pertains to QSearch and Disable or Remove it from the browser using the options button.
Step 4 : Delete Malicious Files that have installed QSearch
1. Go to your Finder. From the menu bar, please select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Input the following string and press Enter on the keyboard.
~/Library/LaunchAgents
3. You will now see a hidden folder named LaunchAgents. Take note of the following files inside the folder:
- com.QSearch.plist
- unknown.service.plist
- unknown.system.plist
- unknown.download.plist
- unknown.update.plist
4. The term unknown is just a representation of the actual malware name. Attackers may use the following file names:
- QSearch App, (random characters).plist
If you cannot find the specified file, please look for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. It may be the one causing QSearch to be present on your Mac. Arranging all items to see the latest ones may also help you identify recently installed unfamiliar files.
5. Please click on "Show items as..."
6. To arrange the items in chronological order, click Date Modified.
7. Drag all suspicious files that you may find to Trash.
Important: Take note of all the suspicious files, as you may also delete the same item in another folder as we go on.
8. Please restart the Mac computer.
9. Open another folder using the same method as above. Copy and paste the following string to easily locate the folder:
~/Library/Application Support
10. Select any suspicious items that you have noted previously. Drag them to the Trash.
11. Repeat the process in the following non-hidden folders (without ~):
/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/Application Support
12. Lastly, go to your Finder > Go and open the Applications folder. Look for subfolders with the following names and drag them to Trash.
- QSearch App, (random characters)
Optional : For locked files that cannot be removed, do the following:
1. Go to Launchpad > Other folder, open the Activity Monitor.
2. Select the process you want to quit.
3. In the upper part of the window, click the Stop button.
4. Click on Force Quit button.
5. You may now delete or remove the locked file that belongs to QSearch homepage hijacker.
Step 5 : Double-check with Malwarebytes for Mac
Use Malwarebytes for Mac to do another scan to make sure the machine is already clear of viruses, malware, and adware. This efficient anti-malware application allows you to detect things that other security software was unable to recognize.
1. Download Malwarebytes for Mac from the link below.
Download Malwarebytes
2. Locate the downloaded Malwarebytes-Mac.pkg and install it with the default settings.
3. Run Malwarebytes for Mac. It will check for updates and download the most recent version if one is available. This is necessary for finding recent malware threats, including QSearch.
4. Once you are on the Malwarebytes dashboard, please click on the Scan button to start scanning your Mac computer.
5. After the scan, Malwarebytes for Mac will display a list of identified threats, and QSearch is surely part of it. Be sure to select all items in the list. Then, click the Remove button to clean the computer.
Step 6 : Fixing the Homepage and Search Engine
Google Chrome
Remove QSearch from the Homepage and Search of Chrome
1. Open the Google Chrome browser and type the following on the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard:
chrome://settings
2. Go to the left sidebar and click On Startup.
3. Select "Open a specific page or set of pages" in the right panel.
4. Locate the unwanted Homepage URL, click on More Actions (3-dot icon), and select Edit.
5. Enter the desired web address as your home page, replacing QSearch. Click Save.
6. To set the default search engine, go to the sidebar, and this time, select Search Engine.
7. Click on the Manage search engines and site search button in the right panel.
8. Find the unwanted Search Engine in the list. Click on More Actions, and then click Delete.
9. Go back to the left side bar and click Search Engine.
10. In the right panel, choose a valid entry from the "Search engine used in the address bar."
You can now restart the Google Chrome browser to see if the unwanted homepage and search engine related to QSearch are gone.
Safari
Get Rid of QSearch from Safari's Homepage and Search
1. Open your Safari browser.
2. Go to the Safari Menu located in the upper left-hand corner, and then select Settings or Preferences.
3. In the General tab, remove the QSearch item or unwanted URL from the Homepage section. Replace it with your preferred URL to be set as your default homepage.
4. Next, be sure that the "New windows open with" and "New tabs open with" fields are set to "Homepage".
5. Please click on the Search tab, and in the "Search engine" section, select Google or any valid search engine.
6. You may now restart the Safari browser.
Microsoft Edge
Remove QSearch from the Homepage of Edge Browser
1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your Mac computer.
2. In the address bar, type or copy and paste the string below, then press Enter on the keyboard:
edge://settings/startHomeNTP
3. Go to the "When Edge Starts" area. Under the "Open these pages" section, click More Actions (3-dot).
4. Select Edit to open the Edit Page window.
5. Input your desired address to replace the homepage settings of QSearch.
6. Click the Save button. You may now restart Microsoft Edge for Mac.
Mozilla Firefox
Delete QSearch from the Homepage and Search of Firefox.
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser on your Mac computer.
2. Type the following on the address bar, then press Enter on the keyboard:
about:preferences
3. Click Home in the sidebar area.
4. Under "Homepage and new windows", you may choose Firefox Home (Default) or Custom URLs.
5. If you chose Custom URLs, input the desired URL to replace QSearch settings.
6. To configure the default search engine, select Search in the sidebar to display the settings.
7. Under the Default Search Engine list, please select a legitimate one (i.e., Google).
8. Scroll down to "Search Shortcuts" and select an unwanted search engine.
9. Click on the Remove button to delete the unwanted search engine. You may now restart the Mozilla Firefox for Mac.
