UltraSearchApp Malware - How to remove

UltraSearchApp is an adware infection a lot like SkilledDeskSearch, GeneralLaunch, UniversalToolSearch, etc. It comes from deceptive sites, fake software updates, or gets installed by free apps that bundle it in exchange for some money. UltraSearchApp only attacks macOS devices. It hijacks their traffic and their browsers, forces malicious sites to open, shows annoying pop-up ads, and spies on your browsing activities.

In short about UltraSearchApp:

Type of threat	Adware, browser hijacker, trojan.
UltraSearchApp installation	Installed by free apps that bundle it, downloaded by fake software update warnings.
Signs of an infection	Crashing apps, changed browser’s home page and search settings, pop-ups that mention UltraSearchApp.
Removing UltraSearchApp	Delete related files, profiles, app, and extension, scan your Mac with an anti-malware application (Combo Cleaner or other).

UltraSearchApp Infection Symptoms

When UltraSearchApp infects a Mac, it does display a few symptoms:

• strange system pop-ups,
• changed browser settings,
• unstable internet connection,
• unstable online apps.

First, the system pop-ups. UltraSearchApp may show fake system windows in order to cover up real system windows. The goal is to hijack your mouse clicks to make you agree to something. Sp, UltraSearchApp may show windows about completed installations and updates. Fake windows like these are used by malicious apps to cover real windows and to get you to click their OK button. You think you’re dismissing a harmless message, but you’re unwittingly confirming the installation of some malware.

To check if a window is hiding something under it, just grab it and wiggle it around. If there’s a window below it, the lag between the two will reveal the deception.

Then, there are the changes to your web browser. UltraSearchApp changes your browser’s default search engine, manipulating how you search the internet. This lets the people behind UltraSearchApp hijack your traffic, making money off of your advertising, and spy on your searches, gathering data valuable for advertisers.

Also, depending on your network settings, you may be getting constant warnings to allow UltraSearchApp network access. This happens because UltraSearchApp tries to reroute all of your traffic through an unfamiliar server. Mac infections use this tactic to force victims to go to malicious websites. Here's an example of a banking trojan doing the same thing.

While UltraSearchApp is installed, it may not even appear in your Applications and your browser extensions. It’s still there, though, and you should still be able to see it in your System Preferences, in the Profiles section. There are the UltraSearchApp’s profiles, and their code reveals how it changes your browser’s default search engine and home page.

How to Remove UltraSearchApp

The fastest way to get rid of UltraSearchApp is probably with an anti-malware app, such as Combo Cleaner or another app (VirusTotal link). You can also remove UltraSearchApp manually, but then it would be good to scan your computer again at the end – to make sure that no malware remains.

Removing UltraSearchApp manually requires a few steps.

First, go to System Preferences, open Profiles, and remove all the suspicious Profiles by selecting them and pressing the ‘-‘ button at the bottom left.

Then, open the Go to Folder dialog in your Finder (open Finder, open the Go menu from the main menu, and choose Go to Folder) and type in the name of each of these folders:

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

Application Support stores the settings and working files of various applications, so be careful. If you delete the files that belong to legitimate programs, you may lose personal settings.

The LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons folders hold the files that make programs run on their own, without you starting them. You can see how this can be useful for malware. But, once again, you should be careful to not delete any legitimate files.

Before deleting a file, look up its name online to find out if it belongs to a trusted program.

If you can’t delete some files, try starting your Mac in safe mode first. Reboot and then hold Shift until you see the login screen. This should stop UltraSearchApp from starting background processes.

Finally, remove UltraSearchApp from your web browser (instructions below) and Applications.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Remove Malicious Extensions

How to remove UltraSearchApp Malware from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall UltraSearchApp Malware 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 UltraSearchApp Malware, 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 UltraSearchApp Malware from Google Chrome on Mac:

• Open Chrome browser.
• Enter in the url field “chrome://extensions” address and hit Enter.
• Find UltraSearchApp Malware 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 UltraSearchApp Malware, 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 UltraSearchApp Malware 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 UltraSearchApp Malware 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 UltraSearchApp Malware, 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.