What Is GoSearch22 Virus Mac?
GoSearch22 is an invasive pop-up originating from a questionable domain name that has been reported to affect Apple users. Once it turns up on the display screen of your Mac computer, it tries to convince you that you have in fact been picked to win a reason (for instance, a coupon). Other ads may also be seen. The GoSearch22 pop-up may additionally release even more unfavorable web browser reroutes and change your default search engine to its own hoax one. The pop-up is a serious indication of a browser hijacker or potentially unwanted program being added on your Mac.
The GoSearch22 pop-up could be taken into consideration as a “virus”-like app as a result of its ads. Actually, this pop-up is not an infection at all. Its annoying existence on Macs is generally an outcome of an ignored installation of a possibly unwanted program with browser-hijacking abilities.
It’s likely that you may have installed an additional (bundled) application or just lately downloaded and installed such a seemingly useful program. A method to stop placing undesirable apps is to always check the install steps in the Advanced/Custom install mode as in many cases it shows the presence of PUPs and enables you to cancel or opt out of their installation.
GoSearch22 Summary
| Name | GoSearch22 |
| Type | Browser Hijacker (PUP) 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. May change your default search engine to show ads. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss GoSearch22. |
GoSearch22 Mac – Activity Overview
A possible symptom that might be the cause of the GoSearch22 pop-up is extensive internet browser crashes. To repair this app you require to reset the Mac, and to relaunch the browser. Afterward, you should remove all unknown profiles or any phony add-ons or extension. You need to similarly reset your search engine and homepage to default ones, if needed.
If the completion of these steps does not solve the issue and the pop-up maintains appearing on your browser, take a look at our removal steps below to discover how to entirely remove the GoSearch22 pop-up.
The pop-ups may trigger fraud sites, that guarantee you that you have won a prize of some kind. These pop-ups intend to trick you that in order to get your prize, you need to fill in specific details, like:
- Your IBAN inspecting account.
- Your bank card number.
- Your CVC safety and security code.
- Expiration day.
- Passwords and user names.
Not only this but also the GoSearch22 pop-ups might release various cookies and tracking objects, like:
- Geo-locators.
- Pixels.
- In your area shared products or Flash cookies.
The GoSearch22 is the kind of application that can not just collect details with cookies from your browser, like passwords, logins in or application data. It can also collect details, like your place, audio logs from your microphone or various other kind of details.
Besides this, the GoSearch22 can furthermore trigger numerous other types of advertisements, like:
- Random web browser redirects.
- Pop-ups.
- Push notifications.
- Banners on the sites you see.
- Highlighted message ads.
These advertisements can not only connect your web browser to third-party websites, but these sites can also infect your computer with various other viruses. This is why it is best to remove GoSearch22 from your computer and shield it from future viruses, like GoSearch22.
How to Remove GoSearch22 from Mac
In order for you to be able to remove GoSearch22, you should follow the removal instructions that we have prepared underneath. Not simply this, but after eliminating this undesirable infection, you should be sure to install a professional application that can guard your Mac against a future password or monetary data tracking apos, like GoSearch22. Such an application intends to make sure that your Mac is secure even if it is infected.
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.
Follow Me:
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 GoSearch22 files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as GoSearch22, 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 GoSearch22 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 GoSearch22:
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 GoSearch22. 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 GoSearch22. 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 GoSearch22 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 GoSearch22. 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 GoSearch22 – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
GoSearch22-FAQ
What is GoSearch22 on your Mac?
The GoSearch22 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 GoSearch22?
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 GoSearch22?
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 GoSearch22 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this GoSearch22 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 GoSearch22?
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 GoSearch22 threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.