Search.sprintfair.com Redirect (Mac)

What is search.sprintfair.com ?

search.sprintfair.com is a fake search engine that is very similar to other search engines of this type (e.g., search.regevpop.com, search-operator.com, search.tapufind.com, etc.). Developers promote this site as a useful tool that provides real value with faster searches, improved search results, and so on.

In fact, it is promoted using rogue downloaders/installers that modify browser settings. Furthermore, search engines such as search.sprintfair.com gather data relating to users' browsing activity.

Browsers targeted by rogue downloaders/installers include Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. In this case, they assign search.sprintfair.com (a fake search engine) as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL.

These modifications mean that users visit search.sprintfair.com when the affected browser (or new tab) is opened, and when a search query is entered into the URL tab. Furthermore, rogue downloaders/installers install "helper objects" (browser applications) that block users from undoing the modifications.

They reassign these settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are forced to visit search.sprintfair.com as long as "helper objects" are present (installed on the browser). There is no point in using this fake search engine, since it does not provide users with unique results.

Once a search query is entered, it redirects users to search.yahoo.com, a legitimate Yahoo search engine. Therefore, it simply displays results generated by Yahoo. As mentioned, this fake search engine records browsing-related information (IP addresses, search queries, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites, etc.).

The installed "helper objects" are also designed to collect this data. Developers share the information with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Thus, using fake search engines (or having unwanted apps installed) can lead to problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, or even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	search.sprintfair.com 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.

Most fake search engines are promoted as legitimate and useful, however, developers use them to generate revenue. They deliver none of the functionality promised or any other value. They are more likely to cause problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, or even more serious issues.

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

Developers promote search.sprintfair.com using rogue download/installation set-ups and a method called "bundling". This method is used to trick people into downloading and installing unwanted apps or allowing changes to be made to browser settings.

Generally, information about the presence of bundled apps or modifications to browser settings is hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar parts of the installation/download processes.

Many users inadvertently give permission to download and install unwanted apps, or change browser settings, when they skip installation/download steps and leave settings unchanged.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To keep your computer safe from unwanted apps, download software (especially freeware) from official and trustworthy websites/sources. Avoid using third party software downloaders/installers and torrents. Note that third party software downloaders/installers are usually monetized by promoting various unwanted apps.

Install or download software with care - study each step, check "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar sections of the set-ups. Deselect offers to download or install any unwanted apps and only then finish the download or installation procedure. Avoid clicking on intrusive ads, since not all are legitimate.

When clicked, potentially malicious ads often redirect users to untrustworthy websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on. Furthermore, if unwanted redirects to websites of this kind happen often, it is possible that unwanted apps are installed on the system.

Check your browser for any unwanted entries (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons, etc.) and uninstall them. Also apply this to programs installed on your Mac computer. 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.sprintfair.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.sprintfair.com ?
• STEP 1. Remove search.sprintfair.com related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove search.sprintfair.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove search.sprintfair.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.sprintfair.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

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

search.sprintfair.com  redirect removal:

Remove search.sprintfair.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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