What is Search Studio?
Search studio is the name of an application for Mac that alters the default home and new tab pages of your web browser. The main idea behind this application is to get users to see different types of ads in different forms as well.
Search Studio Redirects
Search Studio can cause different types of redirects on Macs. For starters, it may lead to different types of websites, some of which may pretend to be fake retailer stores. In addition to this, the Search Studio redirects could also lead to scam sites or even virus sites, that have the ability to infect your Mac with more adware and unwanted software, like Search Studio or even malware.
Search Studio Mac
Search Studio appears primarily on Mac devices and its main purpose is to lead you to different advertisements. The primary activity of Search Studio revolves around changing the settings of your web browsers Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and others. Since some of these websites could turn out to be a scam or malicious, this makes Search Studio indirectly dangerous for your Mac.
Threat Summary
| Name | Search Studio |
| Type | Browser Hijacker for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Search Studio. |
Search Studio Mac Description
Search Studio is the name of a browser redirect for Mac. It may propagate onto unsuspecting Mac users by being automatically bundled in the installers of third-party apps that may be downloaded outside the Apple AppStore. The main idea behind Search Studio is to get added “as a free extra” or an “optional offer” as it is advertised on those apps setups. Such setups are often downloaded from third-party software providing sites, whose main idea is to get users to download useful Mac apps for free. However, these sites often include third-party applications, like Search Studio, that are advertised as a useful addition.
When Search Studio is added to the computer and activated, it may begin to change the home page and new tab page of the affected computer. The outcome is that you may start seeing ad-supported search results instead of the original search results that you would actually need when you search for some term. Besides these forms of ads, others may also begin to appear, like:
- Banners.
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirections.
- Online push notifications.
After Search Studio has started showing ads, this may slow down your computer. But it is not the main danger that is associated with Search Studio. The application could also begin to perform other activities, such as use tracking technologies, like cookies to see what you type and so on. These altogether may slow down your Mac and make it unbearable to use. Not only this, but the ads that are displayed by Search Studio may lead to risk sites, such as:
- Scam sites.
- Virus sites.
- Fake retailer sites.
- Multiple redirect pages.
- Phishing web pages.
- Browser lock scams. (fake tech support)
These are the main reasons why the removal of Search Studio is highly recommended.
How to Remove Search Studio from Your Mac
For the removal of Search Studio, be advised that you will need to follow instructions, like the one below. They may not be a 100% guarantee to remove it, but be advised that according to experts, the best and safest way to remove Search Studio and viruses from your Mac is to use an advanced Mac cleanup software. It will make sure that all the viruses are deleted from your Mac in a safe manner, if there are any and protect it against future unwanted apps and viruses, like Search Studio.
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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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 Search Studio files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Search Studio, 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.
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 Search Studio and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Search Studio:
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 Search Studio. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
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 Search Studio. 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 Search Studio 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:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Search Studio. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 Search Studio – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Search Studio-FAQ
What is Search Studio on your Mac?
The Search Studio 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 Search Studio?
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 Search Studio?
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 Search Studio Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Search Studio 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 Search Studio?
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 Search Studio threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.