Get rid of unwanted redirects to search.schooldozer.com

What is search.schooldozer.com?

search.schooldozer.com is a fake web search engine identical to search.pitchofcase.com, search.zanzibog.com, and many others.

By offering improved search results, search.schooldozer.com attempts to give the impression of legitimacy, however, this site is promoted using browser-hijacking applications and download/installation set-ups designed to modify browser options without permission. Furthermore, search.schooldozer.com continually records various data relating to browsing activity.

Rogue apps and set-ups target Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Immediately after infiltration, they stealthily assign the web browser options (new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage) to search.schooldozer.com. These changes may seem insignificant, but users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that browser-hijacking apps and "helper objects" (third party apps/browser plug-ins stealthily installed by rogue set-ups) reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them.

Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are forced to visit search.schooldozer.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the overall web browsing experience. It is also worth noting that search.schooldozer.com, as an Internet search engine, is completely useless.

All it does is redirects users to search.yahoo.com every time a query is entered. In other words, search.schooldozer.com does not generate any results by itself and users merely end up searching the web via Yahoo search engine. Another important issue is information tracking.

Be aware that "helper objects", browser-hijacking apps, and search.schooldozer.com continually gather various information such as IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, keystrokes, geo-locations, and so on. The information might contain personal details that developers share with third parties.

These people (potentially, cyber criminals) misuse private data to generate revenue. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to search.schooldozer.com, immediately eliminate all dubious applications/browser plug-ins and never return to search.schooldozer.com

Threat Summary:

Name	Schooldozer browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus
Serving IP Address	18.211.203.143
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

The Internet is full of fake web search engines such as search.schooldozer.com. By offering improved search results and, sometimes, other "useful features" (shortcuts to popular sites, weather forecasts, and so on), websites such as search.schooldozer.com attempt to trick users into believing that they are legitimate and useful.

In fact, the only purpose of all fake search engines is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, these sites cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information.

In some cases, they generate false search results and intrusive ads (e.g., banners, coupons, etc.) that typically lead to untrustworthy websites. Therefore, using fake web search engines can lead to various system infections.

How did search.schooldozer.com install on my computer?

As mentioned above, search.schooldozer.com is promoted using rogue set-ups. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that users are likely to rush download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, all details regarding modification of browser settings are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" options of these procedures.

By rushing and skipping steps, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify browser options. Browser-hijacking apps are also distributed using the "bundling" method (and intrusive advertisements). As mentioned, after stealth system infiltration, PUPs change browser options.

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 browsing the Internet and, especially when downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that intrusive ads often seem legitimate, but most lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites.

In most cases, they are delivered by adware-type PUPs, and thus, if you encounter them, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes.

Decline offers to download/install additional applications and cancel those already included. We also recommend that you download your software from official sources only via direct download links, rather than using third party downloaders/installers. These tools are typically monetized by promoting PUPs, and thus, these tools should never be used.

Website promoting search.schooldozer.com:

Deceptive Zip File browser hijacker installer promoting search.schooldozer.com:

Screenshot of Zip File browser hijacker:

Website promoting Zip File 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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is search.schooldozer.com?
• STEP 1. Remove search.schooldozer.com related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove search.schooldozer.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove search.schooldozer.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.schooldozer.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove browser redirects to search.schooldozer.com using Combo Cleaner:

search.schooldozer.com redirect removal:

Remove search.schooldozer.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.

▼ Show Discussion