Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

deleting searchou malware

how can I delete searchou.com from firefox and macbook?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Mar 2, 2014 9:50 AM

Reply
8 replies

Mar 3, 2014 3:02 AM in response to dreadbarba

I need help with this as well, my iMac has a number of malware type issues that may have started from searchou getting installe on Firefox.


1. Searchou has taken over the Firefox home page and after I change it and restart FF it resets it to searchou!!

2. Safari is showing fantom results when I do a search from the address bar. Even when the phantom results don't appear there is a dialog box on the right where the sponsored ads normally are that says "Download Manager Update"... "Your download Manager might be outdated. Would you like to install it now?". I'm sure its also inserting extra results in the search results listed below the ads and they are the same as the adds so I suspect they are bogus as well and not real google ads!!!.

3. I am getting Superfish and tlvmedia redirects and pop up/slide-in adds. The Download Manager example above is a tlvmedia redirect as I checked the source and it has been inserted in the html shown by the browser. Similarly Superfish is showing adds on the left right and bottom that slide in and you can partiallt hide them by selecting close ad!!


I hav reset both browsers and checked that there are now extensions installed in either of them. I am currently running a Sophos scan hoping that will find something. Help appreciated.

Mar 3, 2014 12:15 PM in response to dreadbarba

You installed the "DownLite" adware, perhaps under a different name. Remove it as follows.

Back up all data.

Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

/Library/Application Support/VSearch

Right-click or control-click the line and select

Services Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)

from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item named "VSearch" selected. Drag the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password.

Repeat with each of these lines:

/Library/LaunchAgents/com.vsearch.agent.plist /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.daemon.plist /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.helper.plist /Library/LaunchDaemons/Jack.plist /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/Jack /System/Library/Frameworks/VSearch.framework

After moving all the files, restart the computer and empty the Trash.

From the Safari menu bar, select

Safari Preferences... Extensions

Uninstall any extensions you don't know you need, including any that have the word "Spigot" in the description. If in doubt, uninstall all extensions. Do the equivalent for the Firefox and Chrome browsers, if you use either of those.

This unwanted program is distributed on illegal websites that traffic in pirated movies. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect much worse to happen in the future.

*If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. In the Finder, select

Go Go to Folder...

from the menu bar, paste into the box that opens (command-V). You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.

Apr 13, 2014 9:46 PM in response to Linc Davis

Dear Linc Davis. I have the same problem as I am getting a video ad on the left corner of my browser. I read the instructions but I do not know how to get to /Library/Application Support/VSearch


Triple click where..I cannot get those files to open. I search them in my finder and they do not exist in my Mac.


Could you please enlighten me


Thank you


P

deleting searchou malware

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.