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I am trying to remove anysearch virus from my MacBook Pro. I believe it came in with a Flash download. What is the best security and cleaner program to prevent this and what is the protocol for removing this particular malware?

All of a sudden I have this search engine called anysearch.com pushing it's way in front of Google search which is the engine I prefer as default. I think the anysearch snuck in with a Flash download, but not sure. What is the best software to clean out this virus and help me prevent others from crawling into my MacBook Pro Retina 15 mid 2015? Please advise plus protocol for safe complete removal. Thank you! Clay




MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.13

Posted on Apr 5, 2019 10:58 AM

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Question marked as Apple recommended

About the only one I can suggest is MalwareByte which can be downloaded from https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/


Posted on Apr 5, 2019 11:10 AM

7 replies

Apr 5, 2019 11:05 AM in response to clayfromca

To download an Adobe product such as Flash you should use the Adobe site and none of the other download site which cram malware into their downloads.


I strongly recommend against the installation of any third party apps which claim they will protect your Mac from virus, clean your Mac or improve performance. It has been my experience that all such third party apps are lying when they make such outlandish claims. The best way to keep your Mac safe and protected is to keep the software up to date with Apple.

Apr 5, 2019 11:06 AM in response to Allan Eckert

Of course, this makes sense. Now sites looking like Adobe superficially offer you a legit-looking quick download button and being in a hurry, I must have hit download to see content on a site I was researching. Big mistake. I have thrown Flash in the trash, but I am sure this process will require more cleaning. What is the best cleaner/security software (reasonably priced) to do this job and protect my Mac in the future. Can I also use this on our iMac as well?


Apr 15, 2019 1:22 PM in response to clayfromca

I suggest you use the program created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor.  It will provide a snapshot of your system which we can analyze to possibly determine the cause of your problem. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. On the screen with Options, please open Options and check the bottom 2 boxes before running. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.


  


https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/etrecheck/id1423715984?mt=12




Use the Add Text button to include the Etrecheck report in your reply.

Apr 15, 2019 1:41 PM in response to clayfromca

What is the best security and cleaner program to prevent this... 


There is no automated way to prevent this. Apple made sure these items could not self-install, and requires you explicit approval, and pushes the download site in your face in the dialog box, and requires you to enter your Admin password for verification.


There is no substitute for your vigilance.

Apr 15, 2019 6:22 PM in response to clayfromca

clayfromca wrote:

I think the anysearch snuck in with a Flash download, ...


"Anysearch" is completely unrelated to Adobe Flash Player. Read Beware bogus Adobe Flash "installers" for the likely explanation for its spontaneous and unbidden appearance on your Mac.


What is the best cleaner/security software (reasonably priced) to do this job and protect my Mac in the future.


Never use anything even remotely resembling that description, at any price. They are directly responsible for tales of misery that arise on this site practically by the hour. Read Effective defenses against malware and other threats. That's all I have ever done on any of my Macs and none of them have ever been affected by such things.


Use Time Machine: To learn how to use it please read Back up your files with Time Machine on Mac.

I am trying to remove anysearch virus from my MacBook Pro. I believe it came in with a Flash download. What is the best security and cleaner program to prevent this and what is the protocol for removing this particular malware?

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