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Public Search Explorer Mac Virus ✅ How to Remove It [Free]

What Is Public Search Explorer Mac

Public Search Explorer Mac Virus ✅ How to Remove It [Free]

Public Search Explorer is the name of a problematic software for Mac, which has been reported to cause a lot of different promoted accountant for profit. Since the ads that are shown by this software are displayed to make money too it’s developers, they may often lead to risky websites and some scenarios. This is why this software is regarded as unsafe and should be uninstalled from your Mac immediately.

Read this article to learn more about Public Search Explorer and what to do to fully uninstall it.

Public Search Explorer Mac – Details

Name Public Search Explorer
Type Rogue App / PUP / Auto-Downlaod / Redirect for Mac
Short Description Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause third-party software downloads and the displaying of different unwanted contents and ads.
Symptoms Your Mac begins to display various types of content, which may even be malicious, which results in slowing down in terms of performance. Auto download of other PUPs may start.
Distribution Method Via mail software. Fake Updates. Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it.
Detection Tool See If Your Mac Has Been Affected by Public Search Explorer

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Malware Removal Tool

User Experience Join Our Forum to Discuss Public Search Explorer.

Public Search Explorer Virus – How Did I Get Infected

Public Search Explorer is well known to be a PUP. Based on its behavior, it may be sharing the same code with apps, like MainSignSearch, EssentialModule and other Adload variants.

Apps, like it may end up on your Mac due to methods, like software bundling. This means that the installation files of this software may be added in one of the set up steps of another program. This is a process, that may look like the following:

mac bundle virus

This app may also be tied to a fake Adobe Flash Player download. This means it could pretend to be an update for the software on fake websites, like the following:

fake-flash-player-update-sensorstechforum-com

Public Search Explorer Mac – What Does It Do?

Public Search Explorer may perform several different changes to the settings of your web browsers, which may result in the following kinds of advertisements to begin showing up:

  • Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
  • Interruptive banner ads.
  • Redirects.
  • Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
  • Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
  • Intrusive push notifications.

This software may advertise you websites, that are known for having multiple types of tracking objects:

mac cookies

These tracking technologies are often used with the main purpose to collect details from your web browser, like the following:

  • IP and Mac addresses.
  • Your mouse movements.
  • The browsing history from your browser.
  • What searches you have made.
  • Your bookmarked websites.
  • What you have visited.
  • Your mouse clicks.
  • Different personally identifiable information you may type.

Is This App a Virus?

Public Search Explorer is known to be a Mac adware. It may lead to dangerous websites, however, due to the ads it may display on your computer system, for example:

  • Rogue software download sites.
  • Tech support fraud pages.
  • Survey sites that are fraud.
  • Phishing pages.
  • URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
  • Web pages that contain scams.
  • Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.

This is the main reason why Public Search Explorer should be fully removed from your computer system.

How to Remove Public Search Explorer from Mac?

To delete this software from your Mac completely, our primary suggestion is that you make sure and follow the steps in the removal manual below. They have been specifically made to assist you into getting rid of this nasty software either by yourself or automatically. If you want a full and effective removal of software, like Public Search Explorer, our main recommendation is to get rid of it using a professional anti-malware software. This is the kind of program, that has been created primarily to thoroughly scan your device and make sure that any malicious software is completely erased from it.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

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OFFER
REMOVE IT NOW (MAC)
with SpyHunter for Mac
Public Search Explorer may remain persistent on your system and may re-infect it. We recommend you to download SpyHunter for Mac and run free scan to remove all virus files on your Mac. This saves you hours of time and effort compared to doing the removal yourself.
Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Read EULA and Privacy Policy

Steps to Prepare Before Removal:

Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:

  • Backup your files in case the worst happens.
  • Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
  • Arm yourself with patience.
  • 1. Scan for Mac Malware
  • 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
  • 3. Clean Your Browsers

Step 1: Scan for and remove Public Search Explorer files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Public Search Explorer, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.


Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Public Search Explorer:


Download

SpyHunter for Mac


scan and remove mac virus step 1


Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide


Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?

Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.

Step 2: Uninstall Public Search Explorer and remove related files and objects

OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

remove mac virus step 1


2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

remove mac virus step 2


3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Public Search Explorer:

remove mac virus step 3

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

remove mac virus step 4


4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.


5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Public Search Explorer. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

remove mac virus step 5


6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Public Search Explorer. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.


7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

  • Go to Finder.
  • In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
  • Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
  • If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove Public Search Explorer via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

fix mac virus from launch agents step 1

2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

fix mac virus from launch agents step 2

3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Public Search Explorer. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

fix mac virus from launch agents step 3

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.



Step 3: Remove Public Search Explorer – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox

Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.Remove a toolbar from Google ChromeRemove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox

1. Start Safari

2. After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

3. From the menu, click on "Preferences"

Remove Mac virus from safari step 1

4. After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab

Remove Mac virus from safari step 2

5. Click once on the extension you want to remove.

6. Click 'Uninstall'

Remove Mac virus from safari step 3

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Public Search Explorer will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

1. Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

remove mac virus from google chrome step 1

2. Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

remove mac virus from google chrome step 2

3. From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the add-on and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.

remove mac virus from google chrome step 3

4. After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" in the top right corner and start it again.


1. Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

2. Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

remove mac virus from mozilla firefox step 1

3. Select the Extension and click "Remove"

remove mac virus from mozilla firefox step 2

4. After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" in the top right corner and start it again.

Public Search Explorer-FAQ

What is Public Search Explorer on your Mac?

The Public Search Explorer threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.

Can Macs Get Viruses?

Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.

What Types of Mac Threats Are There?

According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.

What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like Public Search Explorer?

Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.

There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.

How to Secure My Data from Public Search Explorer?

With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:

Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.

Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.

Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.

Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.

Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.

Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.

Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.

Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.

Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.

If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.

More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.

About the Public Search Explorer Research

The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Public Search Explorer how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.

How did we conduct the research on Public Search Explorer?

Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).

Furthermore, the research behind the Public Search Explorer threat is backed with VirusTotal.

To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.

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