How to eliminate Ib-search.com?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What page is ib-search.com?
Ib-search.com is a fake search engine that shows results generated by other (trustworthy and untrustworthy) search engines. Most fake search engines are promoted through browser hijackers. Usually, users download and install apps of this type inadvertently. Thus, they fall into the category of potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Ib-search.com fake search engine in detail
Ib-search.com checks users' geolocation and then shows results generated by Bing (bing.com), nearbyme.io, or possibly some other search engines. Ib-search.com can show results generated by untrustworthy search engines designed to include links to shady pages among their results. Thus, ib-search.com should not be used to search the Internet.
Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page. Apps of this type change the web browser's settings and keep them unchangeable unless they are no longer present. Also, browser hijackers can be designed to collect various information.
| Name | Ib-search.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Fortinet (Malware), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Conclusion
Ib-search.com is not a trustworthy search engine/address. More examples of fake search engines are tabsearch.net, search.gg08m.com, and search.r0n3.com. Instructions on how to eliminate fake search engines and unwanted apps (browser hijackers) used to promote them are provided below.
How did ib-search.com install on my computer?
Pretty often, unwanted downloads and installations are caused through downloaders and installers for free programs. Users agree to download or install PUAs when they do not check and change "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings or checkboxes in downloaders or installers.
Also, users download or install unwanted software by clicking on deceptive advertisements designed to execute certain scripts or through fake installers. Those advertisements appear, and installers are promoted on untrustworthy websites.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Programs (and files) should be downloaded only from official pages, platforms, and through direct links. Downloads from other sources can be malicious. Downloaders and installers with checkboxes or settings like "Custom" and "Advanced" should be examined. Usually, they include optional downloads or installations.
Advertisements delivered by or through questionable sites or programs should not be trusted. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Ib-search.com shows results generated by nearbyme.io (GIF):
Ib-search.com as a new tab page in Chrome:
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 ib-search.com?
- STEP 1. Remove ib-search.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove ib-search.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove ib-search.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove ib-search.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
ib-search.com redirect removal:
Remove ib-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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit ib-search.com website?
The more users visit ib-search.com, the higher the profit this page generates for its creators.
Is visiting ib-search.com a threat to my privacy?
Websites like ib-search.com can be designed to gather various information about the visitors, for example, IP addresses, visited pages. In some cases, they can collect sensitive information.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, etc., through deceptive websites, together with other programs. Either way, the majority of users download and install them unknowingly.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove ib-search.com browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate existing browser-hijacking applications. It is recommended to remove browser hijackers using specialized software because if there are multiple browser hijackers present, they could reinstall one another. Also, it could not be possible to modify certain settings while a browser hijacker is present. Thus, all of them have to be eliminated at once.
Outstanding!
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