Search.byoml.com Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.byoml.com?
Identical to search.pdftycoon.com, search.dramofog.com, search.yadbazelet.com, and many others, search.byoml.com is a fake search engine that, according to the developers, significantly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results.
Judging on appearance alone, search.byoml.com may seem legitimate and useful, however, this site is promoted via browser-hijacking download/installation setups. Furthermore, it continually gathers information relating to users' browsing activity.
Rogue set-ups hijack browsers (they usually target Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome) and modify the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL options by assigning them to search.byoml.com.
In addition, set-ups install several so-called "helper objects" - rogue browser extensions and applications that reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them.
Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states and, ultimately, users are encouraged to visit search.byoml.com when they open a new browser tab/window or search via the URL bar.
Note that search.byoml.com is useless, since it simply redirects users to search.yahoo.com when a search query is entered - search.byoml.com does not generate any unique results and, thus, gives no real value for regular users. Another significant downside is information tracking.
Research shows that search.byoml.com and "helper objects" continually monitor browsing activity by recording IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar data. Furthermore, personal details might be recorded. Developers later sell collected information to third parties who misuse this data to generate even more revenue.
Therefore, information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you experience redirects to search.byoml.com, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins, and never return to this site.
Name | search.byoml.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. |
All fake web search engines are very similar. They claim to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved results and, in some cases, providing other "useful features" (quick access to popular websites, weather forecasts, etc.). Most of these sites are useless for regular users and have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.
They typically cause redirects and gather information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a direct threat to your privacy. Some feed users with misleading results and intrusive ads leading to dubious websites. Therefore, using any fake search engine might lead to various system infections.
How did search.byoml.com install on my computer?
As mentioned, developers promote search.byoml.com using browser-hijacking download/installation set-ups. This marketing method is called "bundling". Developers are aware that users often rush and skip most download/installation steps.
Aware of this, developers conceal all details of browser modifications within various sections (usually "Custom/Advanced" options) of the download/installation processes. By carelessly rushing and skipping steps, users inadvertently grant permission to modify settings, thereby exposing their systems to risk of various infections and compromising their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. Caution is the key to safety. Therefore, pay attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings.
Decline offers to download/install additional applications, opt-out of those already included, and certainly do not allow set-ups to modify any options. Unwanted applications are also distributed using intrusive advertisements that redirect to malicious sites download, install, and execute scripts.
Most of these ads seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design. In fact, they often redirect to dubious sites (pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.) and are delivered by adware-type apps. If you encounter these ads or redirects, remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins 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.byoml.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.byoml.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.byoml.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.byoml.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.byoml.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.byoml.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove browser redirects to search.byoml.com using Combo Cleaner:
Search.byoml.com redirect removal:
Remove search.byoml.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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