Search.ranimaker.com Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.ranimaker.com?
search.ranimaker.com is categorized as a fake search engine and is virtually identical to search.fegline.com, search.blueslaluz.com, search.getmybestyear.com, and many others.
Developers present this as a legitimate and useful tool, however, this search engine records browsing-related and other data. Furthermore, developers promote search.ranimaker.com using rogue downloaders/installers that modify browser settings.
Most rogue downloaders/installers of this type target browsers such as Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. As mentioned in our introduction, they modify affected browser settings. In this case, search.ranimaker.com is assigned as the default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage.
Therefore, this website appears when opening a web browser, new tab, or when entering a search query into the URL bar. These modifications cannot be undone unless specific browser applications (extensions or plug-ins) are uninstalled. These apps are also known as "helper objects".
They are installed by rogue downloaders/installers and prevent users from reverting browser settings to their previous (and other) states. Furthermore, "helper objects" and search.ranimaker.com collect browsing-related information such as IP addresses, search queries, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites, and so on.
Other data might also be recorded - possibly personal/sensitive information. Typically, the data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.
The search.ranimaker.com site is a useless search engine - it simply redirects to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate Yahoo search engine) rather than generating its own, unique results. Therefore, do not use search.ranimaker.com or other fake search engines. Also remove all unwanted/dubious apps immediately.
Name | search.ranimaker.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. |
There are many fake search engines, most of which are quite similar. Developers encourage people to use them by offering improved results and various other 'useful' features, tools, and so on. In fact, they are designed only to generate revenue for the developers and provide no real value for regular users.
By using them, people often experience unwanted redirects and have information regarding their browsing habits (and more) stolen.
How did search.ranimaker.com install on my computer?
search.ranimaker.com is promoted via a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". In these cases, all information regarding installation of unwanted apps or changes to browser settings are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes.
Furthermore, many users often rush these processes and skip steps, thereby granting rogue set-ups permission to modify settings. In this way, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and other problems.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Avoid downloading software from untrustworthy, unknown, unofficial, and other dubious websites or using torrents. Use only official and trustworthy websites, and try to use direct links. When installing software, remember to check "Custom"/"Advanced" and other options or settings. Deselect all unwanted offers, software, features, and only then finish the installation.
Look for checkboxes that are ticked by default and untick them if you notice that they include extra software. Browse the web with care - do not click intrusive ads. They may seem legitimate, however, they often redirect to untrustworthy websites such as pornography, gambling, adult dating, and others.
Close these sites immediately and check your browser for any suspicious plug-ins, add-ons, and extensions. Also check the list of installed programs on your computer. Uninstall any dubious entries immediately. 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.ranimaker.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:
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Quick menu:
- What is search.ranimaker.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.ranimaker.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.ranimaker.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.ranimaker.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.ranimaker.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove browser redirects to search.ranimaker.com using Combo Cleaner:
search.ranimaker.com redirect removal:
Remove search.ranimaker.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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