Io-search.com Redirect (Mac)

What is io-search.com?

Identical to geofoxip.com, io-search.com is a fake search engine that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to various popular websites.

On initial inspection, io-search.com may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers promote the site using rogue downloaders/installers that modify browser options without permission. Furthermore, io-search.com continually records information relating to browsing activity.

Rogue set-ups usually target the most popular browsers such as Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. After successful infiltration, they modify the new tab URL, default search engine and homepage options by assigning them to io-search.com. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that rogue set-ups also inject a number of third party applications/browser plug-ins called "helper objects". These reassign browser options (or simply disable access to these settings) when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states, unless these apps/add-ons are uninstalled.

Furthermore, users are forced to visit io-search.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. Furthermore, io-search.com and "helper objects" continually gather IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar information.

Collected data usually includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private data to generate revenue.

Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to io-search.com, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins, and never visit this site again. The key to computer safety is caution.

Threat Summary:

Name	io-search.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser hijacker, Fake search engine, Mac malware, Mac virus
Serving IP Address	104.27.160.153
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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.

io-search.com shares many similarities with dozens of other fake search engines, such as search.bunnybarny.com, search.prosearchtip.com, and search.convertallfiles.com.

All claim to enhance the browsing experience by providing improved results and, in some cases, other "useful features" (e.g., shortcuts to popular websites, local weather forecasts, etc.), however, websites such as io-search.com are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

They deliver no real value for regular users, cause unwanted redirects, gather information, and sometimes even feed users with misleading results and intrusive advertisements. These websites pose a significant threat to your privacy and computer safety and they diminish the browsing experience.

How did io-search.com install on my computer?

As mentioned above, io-search.com is promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that many users rush download/installation processes and skip steps.

Therefore, all information regarding modification of browser options is concealed behind "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of these procedures. Potentially unwanted applications are also distributed using an identical technique.

Therefore, by rushing and skipping steps, many users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify browser options, thereby exposing their systems to risk of various infections and compromising their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by PUAs, be very cautious when downloading/installing software, and browsing the Internet. Select "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs. Opt-out of additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them.

Download apps from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers are often monetized using the "bundling" method, and thus such tools should never be used. Unwanted apps are also distributed using intrusive advertisements delivered by rogue sites or other unwanted apps. Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate.

Once clicked, however, they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.). If you encounter these ads/redirects, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins immediately. 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.

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

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

io-search.com redirect removal:

Remove io-search.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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