SearchUp, etc. malware?

I am piggybacking off of the following thread per John Galt's recommendation to start my own, due to my unique situation.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251876361?login=true


I'm attaching those items that were recommended (LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, ~LaunchAgents); using a Macbook Air (2017); HS 10.13.6.


My computer's fan comes on quite a bit and runs slower than I would expect it to. When I went to activity monitor, "SearchUp" was at the top of the CPU time/% consistently and I didn't know what it was. The last thing I did was restart into safemode and delete SearchUp. I was a little hesitant to delete anything else because I'm not sure if it's safe to do so or not. Now it's still showing back up - though not in the LaunchAgents, Dameons, etc; only in the Activity Monitor as SearchUp1, or SearchUp2, 3, etc.


I know I'm backing up to my Google Drive throughout the day, which can use a lot of the CPU and I have a couple of windows open on my browser (Firefox 82.0.3) but I wouldn't expect my computer to have this much trouble.


Are there any other steps I can take to make my processes run smoother, faster, more efficient?


I'm attaching some screenshots - any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated!!


Thank you.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Nov 20, 2020 6:34 AM

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Nov 20, 2020 11:43 AM in response to levit03

First, ensure you have a reliable backup of your Mac, in case something should go wrong with continued troubleshooting. To learn how to do that, please read Back up your Mac with Time Machine.


  • A backup is a fundamental prerequisite regardless of whatever method you may choose uninstall adware, and would apply even if your Mac were running perfectly well. Do not overlook this fundamental requirement. It's important.


Next: This step will prevent the scam products from loading so that they can be removed while they are inactive. Restart in "Safe Mode", and log in: Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac. Starting in Safe Mode takes longer than usual so let it finish. The rogue processes affecting that Mac are inoperative in "Safe Mode".


The following files and / or folders need to be deleted while using your Mac in "Safe Mode":


  • Third screenshot: Drag all files except the two with Google in their names to the Trash.
  • Please be sure to read my next reply regarding "AppBox".


The folders in the first and second screenshot are ok.


Drag those selections of files to the Trash. You may be asked to authenticate. Confirm they are no longer present in each of those folders.


Next: open Safari and select the Safari menu > Preferences... > Extensions. If you see any Safari Extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone. No Safari Extensions are required for normal operation. Then, select the General pane and review your Homepage selection. Repeat those equivalent actions for any other browser you may use (Brave, Firefox, or Opera for example).


There may also be adware-associated app icons in your Mac's Applications folder. Open it and examine its contents. Any unwanted or mysterious app icons should be obvious to you, but again please don't remove anything if you are uncertain—ask first. Identify any suspicious apps by name, or post another screenshot.


Next: In an abundance of caution, examine System Preferences > Extensions. Determine if there are any System Extensions that may have been installed without your knowledge. Ask if you're uncertain.


Remaining in System Preferences, check for the presence of any Profiles. Profiles are installed by organizations with a need to manage Macs deployed in institutional corporate or educational environments (for example), but have also been exploited by adware creators and similar malcontents. If any Profiles are installed on your Mac an icon like this will appear in System Preferences:



If you see that icon in System Preferences, select it. To remove a Profile, select it, then click the [—] (minus) button and authenticate.


Remaining in System Preferences, open Users & Groups. Select your User Account's Login Items. You may or may not find those Applications in its list. If you do, select them then click the [—] (minus) button to remove them from Login Items.


You can then restart your Mac and log in as usual. Evaluate its operation and ensure everything is working as you expect it should.


Next: if you want to eradicate all remaining adware remnants post a screenshot of the following folder, in the same manner as you did earlier:


~/Library/Application Support


It is normal for that folder to contain many items, but anything associated with the above adware may contain identical names. If you find a folder or folders bearing those names, drag those folders to the Trash. Without the files you already removed or the reintroduction of similar malware, they can do nothing but occupy space. These can be removed if you wish, but again don't remove anything if you are uncertain.


Finally: If any of the above actions result in abnormal operation or if something else stops working, the easiest way to recover would be to restore the Time Machine backup you created as a prerequisite, so the importance of that fundamental step cannot be overemphasized.

Nov 20, 2020 11:43 AM in response to levit03

Regarding the "AppBox" product: there are a number of apps that could conceivably install a file with that name in /Library/LaunchAgents, but they are either old and no longer supported, or may have been installed by one of the Spigot adware variants (which is what I suspect). Its removal is justified in either case, but if you happen to know you are using a product by that name and are certain it's required, then leave it alone or select that file from the Trash, then File > Put Back. Or, reinstall that app from its original source. Or, that presumably legitimate app may regenerate that file anyway. Confirm the "SearchUp" thing is gone, then review /Library/LaunchAgents again to determine it no longer appears.


The Activity Monitor screenshot is very helpful so thanks for including it. Activity Monitor should no longer have instances of either one of those "SearchUp" processes. Everything else in that Activity Monitor screenshot is ok.

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SearchUp, etc. malware?

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