NetFunctionSearch - How to remove

NetFunctionSearch is a malicious app that hijacks internet traffic. It changes the browse’s default search to Yahoo, Bing, or Anysearchmanager, and causes pop-up ads, redirects, and other inconveniences. Once NetFunctionSearch has infected a Mac, it can be really annoying to delete, as it keeps coming back with every reboot. Luckily, there are ways to get rid of it permanently.

Details on NetFunctionSearch:

Classification	Adware, browser hijacker, trojan.
NetFunctionSearch infection symptoms	Constant pop-ups and browser redirects, the browser changes the default search engine, online apps crash, internet connection is unstable.
How adware infects Macs	Bundled with free apps, downloaded with fake software updates.
Removing NetFunctionSearch	Use antivirus apps, like Combo Cleaner, remove NetFunctionSearch’s files, profiles, app, and browser extension.

What is NetFunctionSearch

NetFunctionSearch gets downloaded with fake software updates. It’s also bundled with some free apps as an “optional offer”, which, of course, ends with people allowing it to be installed by accident.

Once installed, NetFunctionSearch can hijack your traffic by changing some network settings. You can check for yourself: open System Preferences, Network, Advanced, Proxies. If NetFunctionSearch has got its hands on these settings, a Socks proxy will be configured, sending your traffic to some shady server. This can cause some issues with the internet, like a slow connection.

NetFunctionSearch also installs a couple of configuration profiles that force changes on your web browser, usually Safari. These profiles are responsible for changing the default search engine to Bing, Yahoo, Anysearchmanager by Safe Finder, or another search site.

In addition, NetFunctionSearch has the same spyware-like powers, including reading your browsing history and even your passwords. Search logs and browsing history allow the use of targeted advertising, which helps with the ad revenue.

Indeed, NetFunctionSearch is an adware infection and it mainly exists to turn its victims into an audience for more ads. NetFunctionSearch tries not to be too disruptive, hiding on your Mac and only slightly changing some network and browsing settings. If you search for a NetFunctionSearch app or browser extension, you might not even find them – but NetFunctionSearch is still there.

Some people suggest switching browsers as a solution to dealing with browser hijackers, but it’s better to get to the root of the problem – to remove NetFunctionSearch completely.

How to remove NetFunctionSearch

You should start your Mac in safe mode. Reboot it and hold Shift while it starts up until you see the login screen. Safe mode is a mode in which a Mac does not start unnecessary apps. If an issue is caused by a malware infection, it generally disappears while safe mode is active.

The most straightforward way to remove malware is to use an antivirus program, like Combo Cleaner. However, you may want to get rid of NetFunctionSearch manually. That’s also possible.

Open System Preferences and find Profiles. Select each profile that looks at all suspicious and delete it by pressing the minus button at the bottom. If you’re not sure, you should still probably remove them. The important profiles, such as ones set by the Mac’s owner school or workplace (if the Mac is borrowed) can’t be deleted even if you try. And most Macs do not have any profiles at all.

There are a few files that NetFunctionSearch creates that need to be removed. Open Finder and open the Go to Folder dialog. You can open it by right-clicking Finder’s icon in the Dock and then choosing Go to Folder from the pop-up menu. You can also find it at the bottom of the Go menu. Then, paste in each of these folder names:

• /Library/LaunchDaemons
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents
• /Library/LaunchAgents
• ~/Library/Application Support

Find any files that have to do with NetFunctionSearch and delete them. Those folders are hidden by default. They hold important app settings, so deleting files from them could cause unusual effects to your apps. But NetFunctionSearch’s files should definitely be removed.

It’s also important to delete NetFunctionSearch from your Applications folder and to remove the browser extension. There might be more than one infection of NetFunctionSearch’s type. Files named things similar to NetFunctionSearch, such as GroupSource, DynamicWindow, SmartSignalSearch, LookupLauncher, AresLookup, VirtualBoardSearch, etc.

The next time you restart your Mac, it will be in normal mode (unless you hold the Shift button again). Restart your Mac after removing NetFunctionSearch. If it keeps coming back, then there is still something that needs to be removed. If you’re stuck, contacting Apple support might be necessary.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Manually remove browser extensions

TopRemoving NetFunctionSearch from Safari (Mac OS X)

• Click on the Safari menu.
• Choose Preferences.
  
• Click on the Extensions Tab.
• Click on the Uninstall button near the NetFunctionSearch. Remove all other unknown or suspicious entries too. If you are not sure whether you need the extension or not, you can simply uncheck the Enable check-box to disable the extension temporarily.
  
• Restart Safari.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to NetFunctionSearch, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari.
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemoving NetFunctionSearch from Chrome

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Google Chrome window. Select “Settings”.
  
• Click “Extensions” on the left menu bar.
• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to NetFunctionSearch. Click on the trash bin icon next to NetFunctionSearch or other add-ons you want to remove.
  
• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.
  
• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.
  
• Restart Chrome.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to NetFunctionSearch, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
  
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on the Reset settings button.
  
• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemoving NetFunctionSearch from Firefox

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (or press Ctrl+Shift+A on your keyboard).
  
• Go through Extensions and Addons list, remove everything NetFunctionSearch related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to NetFunctionSearch, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
  
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.