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Can't Uninstall PlaySearchNow.

When I launch either Firefox or Safari, playsearchnow launches. The 1/14/18 reply to post How do I uninstall Play Search Now suggested use Malwarebytes to get rid of it. That doesn't work for me. The free version of malwarebytes scan doesn't find playsearchnow, in order to uninstall or delete it. ("Congratulations, you are clean")


Apparently Play Search Now has been around for years.


Is there a free ap that will get rid of it? Or explicit instructions, maybe using Terminal?


By the way, it appeared on my computer about the same time as Advanced Mac Cleaner did. Hmm.

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.3)

Posted on Mar 11, 2018 2:17 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 11, 2018 2:36 PM

1. Use MalwareBytes for Mac to remove malware/adware.


Install guide: https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-1817

Uninstall Guide: https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-1190


The installer may ask you to allow it in Security & Privacy /System Preference. Allow it.


2. Disable all extensions and test.


Turnoff or uninstall extensions.

Section: Manage extensions: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-safari-extensions-sfri32508/mac

3. Choose a search engine.

Delete all text in the Smart Search field, click the magnifying glass , then choose a search engine from the list.

https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/customize-your-search-ibrwe75c2a3c/mac


4. Set your Home Page. https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/set-your-homepage-ibrw1020/mac


5. Restart your Mac.


6. Launch Safari holding the Shift key down.

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7 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 11, 2018 2:36 PM in response to harrypottuh

1. Use MalwareBytes for Mac to remove malware/adware.


Install guide: https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-1817

Uninstall Guide: https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-1190


The installer may ask you to allow it in Security & Privacy /System Preference. Allow it.


2. Disable all extensions and test.


Turnoff or uninstall extensions.

Section: Manage extensions: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-safari-extensions-sfri32508/mac

3. Choose a search engine.

Delete all text in the Smart Search field, click the magnifying glass , then choose a search engine from the list.

https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/customize-your-search-ibrwe75c2a3c/mac


4. Set your Home Page. https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/set-your-homepage-ibrw1020/mac


5. Restart your Mac.


6. Launch Safari holding the Shift key down.

Mar 15, 2018 12:57 PM in response to harrypottuh

Try this method.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7753776



You will have to do this after starting up in Safe Mode to prevent adware

from interfering with the removal of adware .


1. Shut down the computer.

Press the power button. Immediately after you hear the startup sound,

press and hold the Shift key.


The Shift key should be pressed as soon as possible after startup,

but not before the startup sound.


Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo on the screen.

Startup will take longer than usual.

Screen flickering is normal in Safe Mode.

Login to your account. Launch Safari.


Enter this address https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/mac/


in the Safari address bar.

Download, Install , open, and run it by clicking “Scan” button to remove adware.

Repeat the scan immediately couple of times

Once done, quit MalwareBytes.


2. Turnoff or uninstall extensions if installed.

Section: Manage extensions: https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-safari-extensions-sfri32508/mac


3. Choose a search engine.

Delete all text in the Smart Search field, click the magnifying glass , then choose a search engine from the list.

https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/customize-your-search-ibrwe75c2a3c/mac


4. Set your Home Page. https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/set-your-homepage-ibrw1020/mac

5. Restart your Mac.

6. Launch Safari holding the Shift key down.

Mar 15, 2018 12:08 PM in response to dominic23

Trouble.

1) Downloading Malwarebytes came up with the screen blacked out. I had to download it on another computer and copy it over on a flash drive.


2) Scanning with Malwarebytes didn't find play search now and says I'm Clean.


3) I downloaded Malwarefixes as suggested above. Apparently it had another malware attached. Now instead of Play Search Now, I have Pensirot starting up Safari. Malwarebytes won't clean that up either.


4) Both Play Search Now and Pensirot must have some synonym I could search for.


Please help, this has really given me heartburn.

Can't Uninstall PlaySearchNow.

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