Timesearchnow.com Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is timesearchnow.com?
According to the developers, timesearchnow.com is a legitimate Internet search engine that improves the Internet browsing experience by generating the most relevant search results.
These false claims often trick users into believing that timesearchnow.com is legitimate and useful, however, developers promote this site using rogue download/installation set-ups that hijack web browsers and modify various options without users' consent. In addition, timesearchnow.com gathers information relating to Internet browsing activity.
Set-ups infiltrate Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, assigning the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to timesearchnow.com. Therefore, users are automatically redirected to timesearchnow.com when opening a new browser tab and/or searching via the URL bar.
In addition, set-ups infiltrate a number of third party applications and/or browser plug-ins, designed to reassign options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states. Continual unwanted redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience.
Furthermore, additionally-installed apps/add-ons and timesearchnow.com continually record IP addresses, search queries, websites visited, pages viewed, and other similar information that might be personally identifiable. The data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue.
Thus, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter unwanted redirects, uninstall all suspicious apps and browser extensions. In addition, avoid visiting timesearchnow.com.
There are dozens of fake Internet search engines similar to timesearchnow.com including, for example, chumsearch.com, search.arcahol.com, and search.springhan.com. All fake Internet search engines offer improved search results. Some also claim to provide additional functionality, such as weather forecasts, quick access to various popular sites, and so on.
Be aware, however, that these search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Claims to provide so-called 'useful features' are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. Fake Internet search engines cause unwanted redirects and collect various user/system data.
In addition, some generate results leading to malicious websites. Thus, using a fake Internet search engine is risky and can result in various computer infections.
How did timesearchnow.com install on my computer?
Developers promote timesearchnow.com using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". All information regarding modification of browser settings is hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download or installation processes - many users rush and skip most these steps.
In doing so, they grant set-ups permission to modify various settings, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Installation of potentially unwanted programs can be prevented by taking two simple steps. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully observe each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install third party software and never allow set-ups to modify options irrelevant to installation.
Timesearchnow.com End User License Agreement (EULA):
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Quick menu:
- What is timesearchnow.com?
- STEP 1. Remove timesearchnow.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove timesearchnow.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove timesearchnow.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove timesearchnow.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
timesearchnow.com redirect removal:
Remove timesearchnow.com-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “MPlayerX”,“NicePlayer”, or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders
Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/
In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:
In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/
In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers
Remove Safari browser hijackers:
Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.
Change your homepage:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.
Change your default search engine:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
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