How to remove the InstallMac virus – Search.installmac.com redirect removal instructions
InstallMac virus – Search.installmac.com redirect
The InstallMac virus, otherwise referred to as the search.installmac.com redirect or Install Mac Search virus is a term used to describe potential malware we discovered categorized as adware and a browser hijacker that changes existing internet browser settings, displays unwanted advertisements, and causes many problems for computer users. The InstallMac hijacker primarily installs to a Microsoft Windows computer system and attaches to internet browsers including Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer as a browser add-on, browser helper object (BHO), and extension often alongside third-party items or as a standalone item titled InstallMac Toolbar.
The InstallMac virus changes the home page, default, provided, and managed search engine of affected internet browsers causing internet browsers to start up on and redirect to search.installmac.com, search.conduit.com, and other websites. The InstallMac search engine, known as Install Mac Search is not a legitimate search engine by any means and often displays sponsored, irrelevant, and potentially harmful links,including links that promote fraudulent rogue software and search results that may initiate the download of malicious payloads.
InstallMac has been reported to display unwanted pop-up, pop-under, banner, coupon, and other forms of advertisements when users are browsing the web. These advertisements may also be promoted via third-parties associated with InstallMac malware and removing a third-party item may also stop unwanted InstallMac advertisements form appearing.
How does Install Mac Search infect a computer?
InstallMac malware, including InstallMac Toolbar, related third-party malware, and the search.installmac.com redirect can be contracted via downloadable content including freeware and shareware as InstallMac Toolbar and related items often bundle with third-party software. InstallMac is available for voluntary download on a variety of sources including installmac.com.
The InstallMac virus can also be contracted via malicious and suspicious advertisements, email spam, and by clicking links contained in compromised social media content.
How to remove InstallMac malware
How to remove InstallMac malware- Uninstall InstallMac software – Use the correct procedures to uninstall software relating to the www.search.installmac.com redirect (from 2 options)
- Remove unwanted browser attachments – Remove browser add-ons and extensions
- Automatically remove InstallMac malware – Scan for and remove malware infecting your computer system
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked www.search.installmac.com settings and automatically uninstall unwanted software
- Manually remove search.installmac.com homepage
- Manually remove search.installmac.com search engine
1. Uninstall InstallMac software (2 options)
Option 1: Windows Uninstall (Manual Uninstall)
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program (depending on your version of Windows).
3. In the list of installed programs search for InstallMac and unwanted third party software (including programs you recently installed). Uninstall any unwanted software by double clicking the program’s icon, or highlight the program in the list and click the Uninstall button/tab.
Option 2: CCleaner by Piriform (Automated Uninstall)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can be used to uninstall stubborn software and software used to promote the InstallMac browser hijacker.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, navigate to Tools > Uninstall tab and locate unwanted software in the list. To automatically uninstall the found software click Run Uninstaller.
2. Remove unwanted browser attachments
If necessary after uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to remove a browser add-on or extension such as Dale Toolbar. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party titles.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the InstallMac extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the InstallMac add-on and remove it.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the InstallMac add-on and remove it if located.
3. Automatically remove InstallMac malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove additional and/or third-party malware from your computer system, including malware that may be responsible for symptoms of the InstallMac redirect virus.
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, please do so.
3. Open the first tab labeled “Scanner” and select the Perform full scan option. Click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting your computer system.
4. Once the full system scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a message stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected).
4. Automatically repair browser settings (Automated repair)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can also be used to repair internet browser settings and stop your browser from redirecting to http://www.search.installmac.com/ and other unwanted search engines.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, run the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found. Look for anything that may be suspicious or contain “search” in the title or filename.
5. Manually remove search.installmac.com homepage
- In Mozilla Firefox navigate to Tools > Options or click Firefox in the top left corner and click Options > Options. Under the General tab remove search.installmac.com from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove search.installmac.com from the Home Page field and replace it with your preferred URL.
- In Google Chrome click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings.Click “Set pages” under the On startup option. Remove search.installmac.com and replace it with your preferred URL.
6. Manually remove search.installmac.com search engine
- In Mozilla Firefox, click the small search magnify glass near the search box (not url/search field) and click “Manage Search Engines…”. Remove the Install Mac search engine from the list of search providers by highlighting the selections and clicking remove.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools > Manage Add Ons > Search Providers and remove the Install Mac search engine from the list.
- In Google Chrome, click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings > Manage search engines… click the X next to the Install Mac search engine to remove it.
Please note, If http://www.search.installmac.com/ is set as Google Chrome’s default search engine, add (or select) a new search engine (such as Google.com) and select the new search engine as the default search engine, then remove www.search.installmac.com by clicking the X next to it.
