Fastsearch.me Redirect (Mac)

What is search.fastsearch.me?

search.fastsearch.me (also known as mc.fastsearch.me) is a fake search engine that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to popular websites.

Judging on appearance alone, search.fastsearch.me may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers promote it using rogue downloaders/installers that modify browser options without permission. In addition, search.fastsearch.me continually records information relating to browsing habits.

Rogue set-ups usually target Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Following infiltration, they assign the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to search.fastsearch.me. Set-ups then stealthily install a number of third party applications and/or browser plug-ins (so-called "helper objects").

These apps/add-ons reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, unless "helper objects" are uninstalled, returning browsers to their previous states is impossible and users are encouraged to visit search.fastsearch.me when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience.

Note that after entering a search query in search.fastsearch.me, users are redirected to search.yahoo.com. Therefore, they end up searching the web via Yahoo (a legitimate search engine). This makes search.fastsearch.me useless. Furthermore, search.fastsearch.me and "helper objects" continually monitor browsing activity.

Collected data is likely to include personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

If you encounter redirects to search.fastsearch.me, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

Threat Summary:

Name	search.fastsearch.me 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.

There are dozens of fake search engines similar to search.fastsearch.me. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) spidersearchshop.com, search.teritwoo.com, search.searchmecenter.com, and search.buildupstage.com.

By offering improved results and, sometimes, other "useful features" (shortcuts to popular websites, weather forecasts, latest worldwide news, etc.), websites such as search.fastsearch.me attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, they deliver no real value for regular users, since their only purpose is to generate revenue for developers.

They cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information. Some are even designed to feed users with misleading results and intrusive ads, thus leading to dubious websites. Therefore, using fake search engines might lead to system infections.

How did search.fastsearch.me install on my computer?

As mentioned above, search.fastsearch.me is promoted using rogue downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that many users rush when downloading/installing software and skip steps.

Therefore, all details regarding the modification of browser settings are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of these procedures. Furthermore, many users often rush and skip these procedure steps. In doing so, they inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify settings.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Potentially unwanted applications are distributed using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements, which lead to malicious websites and execute scripts that download/install malware. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes.

Furthermore, decline offers to download/install third party applications and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. We recommend that you avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by promoting "bundling" rogue apps.

Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, since developers invest time and resources into their design, however, they can redirect to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. In most cases, they are delivered by adware-type apps. Therefore, if you experience suspicious redirects, uninstall all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of search.fastsearch.me (GIF):

Deceptive installer used to promote search.fastsearch.me/mc.fastsearch.me fake search engine:

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the search.fastsearch.me and mc.fastsearch.me websites are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles"

2) Select the "MC Search" profile and delete it.

3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.

After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this 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.fastsearch.me?
• STEP 1. Remove search.fastsearch.me related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove search.fastsearch.me redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove search.fastsearch.me browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.fastsearch.me homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove browser redirects to search.fastsearch.me using Combo Cleaner:

search.fastsearch.me redirect removal:

Remove search.fastsearch.me-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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