Search.eliaho.com Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.eliaho.com?
search.eliaho.com is a fake web search engine identical to search.pitchofcase.com, search.schooldozer.com, search.zanzibog.com, and many others.
By offering improved results, search.eliaho.com often tricks users into believing that it is legitimate and useful, however, developers promote this site using browser-hijacking download/installation set-ups. Furthermore, search.eliaho.com continually gathers information relating to web browsing habits.
Rogue set-ups hijack Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, stealthily modifying the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options by assigning them to search.eliaho.com.
Set-ups then stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (third party applications and/or browser plug-ins) to prevent users from reverting the aforementioned changes - they simply reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible.
Be aware that search.eliaho.com and "helper objects" record user-system information that includes personal details. IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other information is later shared by developers with third parties to generate revenue.
These people misuse personal data to generate revenue. Therefore, the presence of data-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to search.eliaho.com, immediately eliminate all dubious applications/browser plug-ins and never return to this website.
Name | Eliaho 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. |
The Internet is full of fake web search engines, all of which are virtually identical. All claim to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved results and, sometimes, providing other "useful features" (shortcuts to popular sites, currency exchange rates, weather forecasts, etc.) These claims are false.
Fake web search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for users, websites such as search.eliaho.com record sensitive data and cause unwanted redirects.
Furthermore, some feed users with misleading search results and intrusive advertisements. These lead to dubious websites. Therefore, using fake web search engines can lead to high-risk computer infections.
How did search.eliaho.com install on my computer?
As mentioned, search.eliaho.com is promoted using browser-hijacking downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that users are likely to rush download/installation processes and skip steps.
Therefore, information regarding modification of browser options is hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of these procedures. By rushing and skipping steps, many users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to perform changes, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) are distributed using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements. Therefore, to prevent infiltration, be very cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general. Select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs.
Opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. Furthermore, bear in mind that intrusive ads typically seem legitimate (developers invest many resources into their design), however, they redirect to untrustworthy sites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).
Most are delivered by adware-type programs and, therefore, if you encounter them, remove all suspicious apps/browser extensions. The key to computer safety is caution.
Website promoting search.eliaho.com:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is search.eliaho.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.eliaho.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.eliaho.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.eliaho.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.eliaho.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
search.eliaho.com redirect removal:
Remove search.eliaho.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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