Search.froktiser.com Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.froktiser.com?
According to the developers, search.froktiser.com is a high-end Internet search engine that significantly enhances users' browsing experience by generating improved results.
Judging on appearance alone, search.froktiser.com may appear legitimate and useful, however, criminals promote this site via browser-hijacking downloaders/installers that modify web browsers options without permission. In addition, search.froktiser.com continually records various sensitive data.
Research shows that rogue set-ups target Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Immediately after infiltration, set-ups to modify the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine options by assigning them to search.froktiser.com. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them.
Set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" - third party applications (also known as potentially unwanted programs [PUPs]) and/or browser plug-ins. "Helper objects" continually reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them.
Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states and are forced to visit search.froktiser.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience. This website and "helper objects" are known to record various user-system information (mostly relating to Internet browsing habits).
There is a high probability that collected data will include personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal details to generate revenue. Thus, information tracking might lead to high-risk computer infections. "Helper objects" also misuse system resources to mine cryptocurrency or run other unwanted processes.
This behavior significantly diminishes overall system performance. If you encounter redirects to search.froktiser.com, immediately eliminate all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to this website.
Name | froktiser.com browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads. |
Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information. |
Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
search.froktiser.com is identical to search.manroling.com, search.cuttinsledge.com, search.flagbeg.com, and many others. In fact, all fake search engines are very similar.
They claim to enhance web browsing experience by generating improved search results and, in some cases, providing other "useful features" (shortcuts to popular websites, local weather forecasts, currency exchange rates, etc.), however, these websites are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than giving any real value for regular users, fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and continually record various user-system information. In some cases, they generate fake search results and intrusive ads (e.g., coupons, banners, so on so forth).
These results/ads often lead to various malicious websites. In addition, the ads may execute scripts that download and install malware. Therefore, use of fake search engines is very risky.
How did search.froktiser.com install on my computer?
As mentioned above, search.froktiser.com is promoted using rogue downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that many users rush download/installation processes and skip steps. Aware of this, developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings.
They do not disclose this information properly. Therefore, rushing these processes and skipping steps grants set-ups permission to modify various options, exposes systems to risk of various infections, and compromises users' privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when downloading/installing software, and browsing the Internet.
Carefully analyze each download/installation step (especially the "Custom/Advanced" settings), decline offers to download/install additional applications and cancel those already included.
Bear in mind that criminals invest a great deal of resources into intrusive ad design - most look genuine, however, these ads typically lead to gambling, survey, pornography, adult dating, and other dubious websites. If you encounter such redirects, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.
Website promoting search.froktiser.com browser hijacker:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is search.froktiser.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.froktiser.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.froktiser.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.froktiser.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.froktiser.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
search.froktiser.com redirect removal:
Remove search.froktiser.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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