How to remove search.pricklybears.com from browser settings

What is search.pricklybears.com?

search.pricklybears.com is the address of a fake search engine. Typically, fake search engines are promoted through various potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), browser hijackers. Applications of this type promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings.

Furthermore, most gather various information relating to users' browsing habits. Browser hijackers are classified as PUAs, since people often download and install them inadvertently.

After installation, browser hijackers set the address of a specific fake search engine as the homepage, default search engine and new tab URL. In this case, these settings are assigned to search.pricklybears.com.

Therefore, people with browsers hijacked by an app that promotes this address are forced to visit the site when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar. Most browser hijackers prevent users from changing these settings, unless the rogue app is uninstalled.

Yet, this it is not the only reason to remove browser hijackers. Apps of this type often operate as information tracking tools and collect user-system information. Generally, they target browsing data (IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, and so on), and might also record private, sensitive information.

The developers misuse the data to generate revenue, or they sell it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it for the same purpose.

In summary, having apps of this type installed on browsers or operating systems can lead to problems with browsing safety, privacy, identity theft and other issues. For these reasons, we recommend that you uninstall all PUAs immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	search.pricklybears.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Full List (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	18.208.105.36
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.

More examples of fake search engines include search.follysway.com and search.schooldozer.com. They are fake, since most generate no unique results, or simply provide misleading results. They are promoted through various rogue download/installation set-ups of browser hijackers.

As mentioned, people usually download and install browser hijackers (and other PUAs) unintentionally.

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

Most people cause unwanted downloads/installations when they click deceptive ads or when software developers distribute them using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They use this method to trick people into downloading and/or installing unwanted apps together with other (usually free) software.

In most cases, information about the inclusion of PUAs in download/installation set-ups can be found in "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other similar settings.

Typically, people who download or install programs without checking and changing these settings also allow PUAs to be downloaded and/or installed. Deceptive ads lead to unwanted downloads and/or installation when they execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software from official websites and using direct links. Other sources/tools such as third party downloaders (and installers), unofficial pages, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), and so on, are often used to distribute unwanted applications. Check all download/installation settings such as "Advanced" and "Custom".

These settings often include offers to download and/or install additional applications (dismiss them). It is not safe to click intrusive advertisements, especially if they are displayed on pages relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and others. People who click these ads are usually redirected to other untrustworthy sites or allow them to download/install unwanted apps.

If the browser opens dubious pages and/or visited websites contain ads, check for any unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) and remove them.

The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Download website of a PUA designed to promote search.pricklybears.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.pricklybears.com?
• STEP 1. Remove search.pricklybears.com related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove search.pricklybears.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove search.pricklybears.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.pricklybears.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

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

search.pricklybears.com redirect removal:

Remove search.pricklybears.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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