Cannot remove Search Marquis

The Apple and Google files are legitimate and can remain. If you experience "Search Marquis" and its ilk again please write back.

I do not know what "CC anti-virus software" is but all similarly categorized products are worthless, at best. For example, .exe programs are inert on macOS. It's not at all unusual for malicious websites to attempt to deposit malicious files in one's Downloads folder, but their mere presence can do nothing. If you did not explicitly request a file to be downloaded to your Mac by all means drag it to the Trash, but macOS does not intervene unless you deliberately open a file. Then, additional defenses are implemented that serve to protect Mac users from themselves. As for macOS, it takes care of itself.

Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community

Getting rid of "Search Marquis" is easy and you don't need to install anything. Uninstall whatever you installed in an effort to uninstall it.

To ascertain the cause so that you can eliminate it, start by inspecting the contents of the following folder:

~/Library/LaunchAgents

To open that folder, copy the entire line above and paste it in the Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field. Make it look like this:

... and click the Go button.

A Finder window will open. Make sure all its file names are readable by selecting View > as List or other selection that shows that folder's complete contents. Then, take a screenshot of that Finder window.

• To learn how to capture a screenshot please read the Appendix in the following User Tip: Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question. It also includes instructions for posting a screenshot in a reply to this Discussion, so keep that Safari window open for now.

Often, there is nothing in that Launch Agents folder so don't be surprised to find it empty.

In the same manner as the above, navigate to this next folder:

/Library/LaunchDaemons

The Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field should look like this:

... and click the Go button once again.

Once again ensure all its files and their names are readable and capture a screenshot.

Then, repeat that exercise with the following folder:

/Library/LaunchAgents

Notice its pathname is different than the other two. The Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field should look like this:

In the end, you will have captured the contents of the following three separate folders:

~/Library/LaunchAgents

/Library/LaunchDaemons

/Library/LaunchAgents

All three will be saved to your Mac's Desktop with names "Screen Shot... " followed by the date and time they were captured. Please be sure to include or otherwise indicate the name of the folder that corresponds to each screenshot, so that you and I can keep track of which ones they are.

Post the entire contents of all three windows, one at a time, using the "picture" icon that appears below your reply text:

I have had trouble with Search Marquis - it interferes with my use of the computer, ever since the recent OS download. I have lost the functionality in the return key, which makes writing a pain. I bought the Macworld recommended antivirus/malware software from www.intego.com which seemed to work initially - but two days later it's reverted to search marquis with all that that entails. Reading of this problem I realise I'm not alone - but that doesn't help. Do I jettison the MacBook Pro and buy another make or is it possible to repair my Apple?