Search.playeti.com Redirect (Mac)

What is search.playeti.com?

search.playeti.com is a fake search engine identical to search.byoml.com, search.yadbazelet.com, searchv.dooryov.com, and many others.

By offering the most accurate results, search.playeti.com attempts to give the impression of legitimacy, however, developers promote this fake search engine using a browser-hijacking application called Playeti, which supposedly allows users to create and edit YouTube playlists.

Playeti is likely to infiltrate computers without users’ permission. Furthermore, search.playeti.com and Playeti record information relating to browsing activity.

After successful infiltration Playeti hijacks Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, assigning the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to search.playeti.com. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them. Playeti continually reassigns settings when attempts are made to change them.

Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and ultimately users are encouraged to visit search.playeti.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab/window. These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience.

Note that search.playeti.com redirects users to search.yahoo.com each time a search query is entered. Therefore, all results are generated by Yahoo and search.playeti.com gives no real value for regular users. Another significant downside is information tracking.

Research shows that search.playeti.com and Playeti continually monitor browsing activity by recording information such as IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar data. Collected information often includes personal details that developers share collected with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

These people generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall the Playeti browser hijacker immediately and never return to search.playeti.com.

Threat Summary:

Name	Playeti 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.

As mentioned above, search.playeti.com is identical to a number of other websites of this type. In fact, all fake search engines are very similar.

Developers present them as legitimate websites that significantly enhance the browsing experience by providing "useful features" (e.g., improved search results, faster searches, quick access to popular websites, etc.), however, they are designed simply to generate revenue for the developers and deliver no real value for regular users.

Fake search engines merely cause unwanted redirects and gather information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a threat to your privacy. Some fake search engines generate intrusive advertisements and false results. These typically lead to dubious (potentially malicious) websites. Therefore, using fake search engines can result in system infections.

How did Playeti install on my computer?

Although Playeti has an official download website, this browser hijacker often infiltrates computers without users’ permission, since these applications are often proliferated using "bundling" and intrusive advertising methods. "Bundling" is stealth installation of third party applications together with regular (usually free) software.

Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, "bundled" apps such as Playeti are usually hidden within various sections (e.g., "Custom/Advanced" settings) of these procedures. Furthermore, intrusive advertisements redirect users to malicious websites and execute scripts designed to download/install unwanted apps.

Skipping download/installation steps and clicking advertisements often leads to inadvertent installation of unwanted applications, such as Playeti.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings.

Opt-out of additionally-included applications and decline offers to download/install third party programs. Furthermore, download apps from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps, and thus these tools should never be used. Bear in mind that developers invest many resources into intrusive ad design.

Therefore, most seem legitimate. Once clicked, however, they redirect to dubious websites such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and survey sites (these are just some examples). These ads are usually displayed by adware-type applications and browser plug-ins.

Therefore, if you experience these redirects, immediately remove all suspicious applications/browser add-ons. 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.

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

Video showing how to remove Playeti browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

search.playeti.com redirect removal:

Remove search.playeti.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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