Genieo Virus (Mac)

What is Genieo?

Genieo is a dubious application that usually infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate it using download/installation set-ups. Genieo's main purpose is to promote a fake search engine and record information. For these reasons, Genieo is categorized as a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

After successful system infiltration, Genieo hijacks Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, assigning the homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL settings to search.genieo.com.

Note that this browser hijacker works on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS operating systems (you can read about the Windows version in this article), however, its behavior is essentially identical. Be aware that Genieo modifies browser options and prevents users from reverting these changes.

Research shows that Genieo continually reassigns browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit search.genieo.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience.

In addition, browser-hijacking apps and fake search engines are likely to record information relating to browsing activity. Collected data typically includes personal details that developers share with third parties. These people generate revenue by misusing private information.

Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you eliminate the Genieo browser hijacker and never return to search.genieo.com.

Threat Summary:

Name	InstallMac virus
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Bundlore-BY [Adw]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.OSX.GenieoCA.1), DrWeb (Mac.Trojan.Genieo.470), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Geonei.z), Full List (VirusTotal)
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.

Genieo shares many similarities with dozens of other browser-hijacking viruses, such as Maconomi, Pronto File Converter, and numerous others. Most of these apps offer "useful features", however, browser-hijacking programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than giving any real value for regular users, browser hijackers cause unwanted redirects and record sensitive information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a threat to your privacy.

How did Genieo install on my computer?

This browser hijacker is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, Genieo often infiltrates systems without permission. Developers proliferate this browser hijacker using fake software installers/updaters (for example, fake Adobe Flash Player updater).

Most are promoted by rogue sites that (for example) claim that specific software is outdated (even when it is not) and encourages users to download an update. This leads to installation of rogue apps, such as Genieo. Therefore, users are often responsible for infiltration of apps such as Genieo.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes and opt-out of additionally-included programs. Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by including rogue apps.

Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Keeping installed applications up-to-date is also extremely important. To achieve this, however, use implemented functions or tools provided by the official developer only. Having a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and running is also paramount.

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

Official Genieo browser hijacker installation setup:

One of the deceptive pop-up windows displayed after Genieo infiltration:

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

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Genieo redirect removal:

Remove Genieo-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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