SearchExplore Adware - How to remove

SearchExplore is adware that causes browser redirects, excessive ads, and app crashes. It appears without explanation and refuses to be uninstalled. Because SearchExplore uses deceptive methods to sneak onto Macs, victims don’t always realize what the problem with their Mac is. Once they do, they might try to remove it but fail because of SearchExplore’s persistence. SearchExplore can be deleted, it’s just a little tricky and might require the help of an anti-malware app.

Details on SearchExplore:

Type of threat	Adware, trojan.
Effects of SearchExplore	Browser redirects, malfunctioning online apps, private data logged by the SearchExplore browser extension.
How adware infects Macs	Fake warnings and fake software updates, malicious ads, infected free app installers.
How to remove SearchExplore	Remove related files, check for malware with anti-malware tools (Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, etc.), remove suspicious settings, login items, apps, and browser extensions.

Issues caused by SearchExplore

SearchExplore is adware. It causes browser redirects, pop-up ads, and more problems.

First of all, SearchExplore messes with your web browsers. It changes their home and new tab pages, their default search settings, and accesses data on all the sites that you visit. This means that:

1. SearchExplore can control how you search the internet, what results you get, which sites you open, and what ads are posted on your screen.
2. In addition, SearchExplore gets to read your data, including your search queries, usernames, and passwords.

This is bad for your safety, your privacy, as well as your productivity. It can also interfere with some sites and apps, crashing or freezing them.

But SearchExplore’s problems don’t end here. SearchExplore also burrows itself inside your Mac so that it’s tricky to remove. It creates files and scripts and runs unwanted processes. Uninstalling SearchExplore doesn’t work and it comes back if you try to delete it.

SearchExplore is very similar to TechnologyCustom, EngineDiscovery, BoostSelect, TechFunctionSearch, and other adware apps. They’re all related to the Anysearchmanager hijacker and probably to the Shlayer trojan that was in the news a few months ago. It’s a pretty common infection.

How SearchExplore infects Macs

SearchExplore probably appeared unexpectedly on your device. It’s possible that it was downloaded by malware, or maybe it hotched a ride with another, less suspicious app:

• Bundling, fake software, and infected installers can be used to distribute adware. SearchExplore could have been included with a free app as a browser extension offer. Offers usually get installed together with the program.
• SearchExplore could be distributed with the help of fake flash updates and other misleading ads. Deceptive sites try to convince people to download and install malicious files by lying about them.
• Adware and trojans already present on the Mac can infect it by showing more malicious ads or by downloading malware and installing it. You might notice that SearchExplore isn’t the only app that uses the same green-and-white magnifying glass icon on your system. Sometimes this type of malware appears to multiply as new versions get downloaded in the background.

There are many ways in which adware like SearchExplore infects Macs. This could be avoided or mitigated with better anti-malware protection. That is, if you can avoid all the fake Mac optimizers that also use malicious ads, such as the “Your system is infected” scam.

The more popular macOS becomes, the more malicious actors turn to it for profit. That’s why it’s important to protect your Mac and to know how to remove malicious apps from it.

How to remove SearchExplore

The best way to remove SearchExplore is with an anti-malware program, although it is also possible to remove it manually.

First of all, it’s advisable to start your Mac in safe mode by restarting it or turning it on and immediately pressing the Shift button on your keyboard. “Safe Boot” should appear in your screen’s upper right corner. Safe mode stops unnecessary software from running and is helpful when removing persistent apps.

Malicious apps often place files in the folders /Library/LaunchAgents, /Library/LaunchDaemons, and ~/Library/LaunchAgents (accessible with Finder’s Go -> Go to Folder dialog). There are likely files in these folders with “SearchExplore” in their names that cause SearchExplore to restart (and reinstall if you deleted it) every time you log in on your Mac. Malicious files need to be removed from there. However, those folders also hold important settings for your legitimate apps, so don’t delete files you aren’t sure about.

Adware programs sometimes create random file names, so trying to disentangle which file is malicious and which one is not is tedious without an anti-malware program. You can scan your Mac with any competent anti-malware app, such as Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, and others. They can detect SearchExplore and other potentially unwanted apps.

Apps like CleanMyMac, Smart Mac Booster and the like should also be removed. Their installation tactics are dishonest and can lead to you accidentally allowing junkware on your Mac.

Profiles (System Preferences -> Profiles), login items (System Preferences -> Users & Groups -> Login Items), and network settings (System Preferences -> Network -> Advanced -> Proxies) should also be reviewed and suspicious items should be removed.

Finally, the SearchExplore app and browser extension can be uninstalled. Then, reboot your Mac to get it out of safe mode.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Manually remove extensions

How to remove SearchExplore Adware from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall SearchExplore Adware and other suspicious extensions.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences and choose General tab. Enter preferable URL to the homepage field.
  

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

• Click on 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.

TopHow to remove SearchExplore Adware from Google Chrome on Mac:

• Open Chrome browser.
• Enter in the url field “chrome://extensions” address and hit Enter.
• Find SearchExplore Adware on the extensions list and click on the recycle bin icon next to it.
• Click on 'Chrome' button at the top left corner. Select 'Preferences' on a drop-down menu box.
• Find 'Search' options on Settings tab. If your search engine is changed, click 'Manage Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• On the same page find 'Show home button' checkbox and change your homepage.

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

• On the 'Preferences' menu window, scroll down to the bottom and find 'Reset settings' button. Click it.
• Confirm your selection and click 'Reset' on the following window.

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

How To remove SearchExplore Adware from Firefox on Mac OS:

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (Or press cmd+Shift+A on your keyboard).
• Go through Extensions list, remove everything SearchExplore Adware 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.
• Enter “about:preferences” in URL bar and hit enter.
• Open Search settings tab.
• If your search engine is changed, click 'Default Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• If your homepage was changed, click on the Firefox menu in the top right corner, select Preferences-> General. Enter a preferable URL to the home page field.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to SearchExplore Adware, 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 Refresh Firefox button.
• Click on the Refresh Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.

If the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program to identify malicious entries.