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Remove VSearch or OSX/Vsearch threat on Mac

There are different variants of the same adware program often known as OSX/VSearch-A, OSX/VSearch-B, OSX/VSearch-C, OSX/VSearch-D. Usually, this adware turns certain words into hyperlinks or displays pop-up ads. Follow the instructions in this article to remove the VSearch threat manually from your Mac.

Remove Search Protect browser lockdown threat

  1. On the Apple menu bar, in the top-right corner, click on the magnifier icon.

  2. In the Spotlight box, type

    Activity Monitor
    and press return.

  3. In the Activity Monitor window, look for VSearch under the Process Name, and then double-click on it.

  4. In the window that appears, click Quit, and then click Force Quit.

    Search Protect browser lockdown process is now terminated, follow the instructions to remove the threat from your Mac.

  5. On the Apple menu bar, click Go and then select Go to Folder.

     

    In the next steps, you will be removing the files related to VSearch threat. Make sure that you delete only the files listed in the instructions, removing inappropriate files can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files on your system.

    Go to the following locations to look for the VSearch threat related files on your Mac:

    • /Library/Application Support/

      VSearch #

    • /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 #

    Where '#' denotes the name of the files or folders to look for in these locations. If you find any of these files, move them to trash and then empty the Trash.

  6. Select your browser and follow the instructions to reset it:

I use Safari

  1. Start the Safari browser.

  2. On the Apple menu bar, click Safari, and then click Reset Safari.

  3. In the Reset Safari window, to restore the default settings of Safari, check all the boxes and then click Reset.

I use Google Chrome

  1. Start the Chrome browser.

  2. On the Apple menu bar, click Chrome and then select Preferences.

  3. In the window that appears, in the left-pane, click Settings.

  4. Scroll down and click Show advanced settings.

  5. To restore the default settings of Chrome, click Reset browser settings.

  6. In the dialog box that appears, click Reset.

I use Firefox

  1. Start the Firefox browser.

  2. On the Apple menu bar, click Help and then select Troubleshooting Information.

  3. In the Troubleshooting Information page, under Reset Firefox to its default state, click Reset Firefox.

  4. Click Reset Firefox.

    Resetting Firefox to its initial state will also remove all the Add-ons or Extensions.

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DOCID: v103225891
Operating System: Mac
Last modified: 07/24/2024