Search.cocoshamen.com Redirect (Mac)

What is search.cocoshamen.com?

search.cocoshamen.com is a fake Internet search engine identical to search.zaztov.com, search.genieosearch.com, search.pardessov.com, and many others.

By offering improved results, this site attempts to give the impression of legitimacy, however, developers promote search.cocoshamen.com using rogue download/installation tools that modify browser options without consent. In addition, this site gathers various information relating to web browsing activity.

Rogue set-ups target Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Following infiltration, they assign the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine options to search.cocoshamen.com Furthermore, set-ups install a number of third party applications/browser extensions (so-called "helper objects").

These programs and extensions reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, as long as "helper objects" are present, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit search.cocoshamen.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar.

This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. Another important issue is information tracking. Research shows that search.cocoshamen.com (and "helper objects") continually gather information relating to browsing activity.

Collected data (IP addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

These people misuse private information 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.cocoshamen.com, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

Threat Summary:

Name	Cocoshamen 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. ▼ 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.

As mentioned above, search.cocoshamen.com is identical to a number of other fake web search engines. In fact, all existing fake search engines are very similar.

By offering "useful features" (improved search results, weather forecasts, currency exchange rates, shortcuts to popular websites, latest worldwide news, etc.) they attempt to trick users into believing that these sites are legitimate, however, their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers, and they deliver no real value for regular users.

Fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information. In addition, some feed users with misleading search results and intrusive advertisements (coupons, banners, and so on). These typically lead to dubious (potentially, malicious) websites. Therefore, using fake search engines might lead to high-risk computer infections.

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

As mentioned, search.cocoshamen.com is promoted using browser-hijacking download/installation tools. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that many users rush download/installation processes and skip steps.

Therefore, all details regarding modification of browser options are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" options (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.

Furthermore, many users are very likely to rush these procedures and skip steps. In doing so, they inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify settings, 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 also distributed using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements (which redirect to malicious sites or execute scripts that download and install PUPs). Therefore, to prevent this situation, pay close attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet in general.

Select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation processes. Opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. Apps should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Developers monetize third party downloaders/installers by "bundling" PUPs.

Therefore, these tools should never be used. Note that intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, they typically lead to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.) Most are delivered by adware-type apps.

If you experience suspicious redirects, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Website promoting search.cocoshamen.com:

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

Video showing how to remove search.cocoshamen.com browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

search.cocoshamen.com redirect removal:

Remove search.cocoshamen.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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