How to stop a browser from opening chillsearch.xyz
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of address is chillsearch.xyz?
The chillsearch.xyz address (a fake search engine) became known to us after using a couple of fake Adobe Flash Player installers downloaded from deceptive websites. We have found that those installers hijacked a web browser - our browser opened chillsearch.xyz every time we entered a search query into the URL bar.
Chillsearch.xyz fake search engine in detail
We have tested the chillsearch.xyz fake search engine and learned that it shows results generated by Bing - it redirects users to bing.com. We also found that while a hijacked browser is used, a malicious process named "Searchie" is running in the Activity Monitor.
Our team has examined lots of fake search engines and learned that they can generate misleading results, show results generated by untrustworthy search engines, include shady ads in search results. We have concluded that fake search engines (including chillsearch.xyz) cannot be trusted. Especially when they are distributed through deceptive installers.
| Name | chillsearch.xyz browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names (chillsearch.xyz) | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (Installer) | Avast (MacOS:Bundlore-GQ [Adw]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Bundlore.10), Emsisoft (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Bundlore.10 (B)), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Bnodlero.ax), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Malicious Process Name | Searchie |
| 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. |
More about fake search engines
Typically, fake search engines cannot be removed from web browsers while browser hijackers (or other malicious components used to promote them) are present. Most browser hijackers set fake search engines as default search engines, homepages and new tab pages. Examples of other search engines like chillsearch.xyz are searchfox.xyz, search.3bamfz.com, search.softsurf.xyz.
How did chillsearch.xyz install on my computer?
We have discovered that chillsearch.xyz is promoted through fake Adobe Flash Player installers. These installers are distributed through deceptive websites (for example, pages suggesting that installed software is out of date). It is important to mention that fake installers can be malicious - they can infect computers with malware.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Never use questionable websites, P2P networks, and similar sources to download any apps or files. Download them from official pages and legitimate platforms. Also, do not click on fake "Download" buttons or shady ads/ads appearing on dubious pages. Deselect unwanted optional downloads/installations before downloading/installing programs.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Files created after launching the installer:
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ConnectionCache.system.plist
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.mulkeyd.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ConnectionCache.service.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.digitalprotection.emcupdater.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.mulkey.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.nbp.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.sys.system.plist
Chillsearch.xyz redirects to bing.com (GIF):
A deceptive website used to distribute a fake installer designed to promote chillsearch.xyz:
Fake installer promoting chillsearch.xyz (first installation step):
Fake installer promoting chillsearch.xyz (second installation step):
Another fake installer used to promote chillsearch.xyz:
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 chillsearch.xyz?
- STEP 1. Remove chillsearch.xyz related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove chillsearch.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove chillsearch.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove chillsearch.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
chillsearch.xyz redirect removal:
Remove chillsearch.xyz 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 chillsearch.xyz website?
The creators of chillsearch.xyz seek to increase the number of visitors because their revenue is directly dependent on it.
Is visiting chillsearch.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Websites like chillsearch.xyz can be designed to gather various information about the visitors. It means that they can be the reason behind problems related to browsing safety, online privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are often distributed using social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, etc. In this particular case, chillsearch.xyz is promoted via fake installers distributed using deceptive websites.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is the right app for that. It can remove all browser hijackers at once without allowing them to reinstall one another (which becomes a problem when trying to remove multiple browser hijackers manually).
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