How to stop redirects to searchiing.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchiing.com?
searchiing.com is a bogus search engine. These fake search engines are usually promoted by Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) categorized as browser hijackers. This software operates by making modifications to browsers and monitoring users' browsing activity. Additionally, PUAs do not need explicit user consent to be installed onto devices.
Browser hijackers target Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox and other popular browsers with large user bases. These rogue apps assign the addresses of bogus search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. This significantly affects the browsing experience.
To elaborate, with a browser hijacker promoting searchiing.com installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to searchiing.com. Fake search engines are rarely capable of providing search results, and so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) legitimate sites.
Even if the promoted search engines can generate search results, these are typically inaccurate and/or promote untrusted/malicious websites. In the case of searchiing.com, it redirects to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com), a genuine search engine. Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict or deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made.
Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without first removing the software affecting it. As mentioned, most browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, paged viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather sensitive data extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).
The collected data is likely to contain personally identifiable information. Browser hijacker developers often monetize this information by sharing it with and/or selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on browsers/systems can result in financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.
To protect device integrity and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.
| Name | searchiing.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Serving IP Address | 34.226.157.250 |
| Symptoms | Your Mac became 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. |
searches.network, search.handlersection.com, searches.cloud and searchsnow.com are some examples of other fake search engines. They are promoted by browser hijackers, which typically seem as normal and useful software. Bright Start, NiceTab StartPage, and MacAppExtensions are just some examples.
Users are enticed into download/installation with offers of a wide variety of functionality, however, the features promised are seldom operational. In fact, this applies to most PUAs. The only purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate revenue for the developers.
Regular users receive no value and can instead experience serious issues. PUAs hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns and gather private information.
How did searchiing.com install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed via the download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing method of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling".
Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing dubious and/or bundled content into the system. Certain PUAs have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive ads proliferate these apps as well.
When clicked, they can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Software must be researched prior to download/installation and/or purchase. You are strongly advised to use only official and verified download channels. Untrusted sources such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive and/or bundled content.
Download and installation processes must be treated with caution. Therefore, it is important to read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and other additions.
Intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to dubious sites (e.g. pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.). If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of searchiing.com redirecting to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
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 searchiing.com?
- STEP 1. Remove searchiing.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove searchiing.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove searchiing.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove searchiing.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
searchiing.com redirect removal:
Remove searchiing.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.
Outstanding!
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