What Is GeneralSearchBoard on Mac
GeneralSearchBoard is the kind of program that may change certain settings of your web browsers, like the home page, new tab page, and other web pages with the primary purpose to begin displaying a number of different ads. These ads may be used to monetize programs, like GeneralSearchBoard and they are usually provided by ad networks that cannot easily be verified. The main problem this may create for you is that it could eventually lead to dangerous sites that may even turn out to be scams or malware.
Read this article if you want to learn more about how GeneralSearchBoard functions and how to delete it effectively from your computer.
GeneralSearchBoard Summary
| Name | GeneralSearchBoard |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| 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 computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss GeneralSearchBoard. |
GeneralSearchBoard Mac – What Does It Do?
GeneralSearchBoard is classified as a potentially unwanted program. It is very similar to other Mac adware, like ExploreSync, BoostConsole and FlexibleSector. The main activity that unifies thos applications is that they all may be responsible for the following kinds of ads that may start to apepar on your Mac:
- Pop-up ads.
- Banner ads.
- Push notification pop-ups.
- Ad-supported results when you search something.
- Redirect adverts.
- Text ads, highlgihted on the sites you visit.
These programs most often are installed on your Mac without your consent. They may be added via the following most often used methods:
- By being automatically bundled.
- If you have added it from some suspicious site advertising it via pop-up to include it.
- If it has been automatically installed by some other adware you already have on your Mac.
The main issue those apps have is that they could use trackers, for instance. These trackers include cookies, tags pixels, and others of such kinds. They are most often utilized to obtain the following details from your Mac:
- Which pages you have visited.
- Sites that you have bookmarked on your computer.
- The history of your web browser.
- Where you click online and your mouse movement.
But these trackers are nothing when compared to the risky websites they may take you to. These sites include the following dangerous kinds of domains that may be advertised:
- Domains that may have viruses.
- Phishing domains.
- Scammer websites.
- Fraudulent tech support scams.
- Fake software download URLs.
- Redirect loop schemes of long URLs.
- Fake survey scams.
This is why programs, like GeneralSearchBoard are regarded as potentially risky and have no place on your Mac.
Remove GeneralSearchBoard from Your Device
GeneralSearchBoard is the kind of program that has been set up with the main idea to appear helpful while showing ads on your browser. To remove this app, a good practice is to follow guides, like the one we have created below. It contains the steps it takes to remove this software from both MacOS and your browsers. Be advised that experts strongly recommend scanning your Mac using anti-malware software. Such a professional program is specifically designed to best detect and remove any malware, adware, and trackers from your Mac automatically.
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 GeneralSearchBoard files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as GeneralSearchBoard, 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 GeneralSearchBoard 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 GeneralSearchBoard:
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 GeneralSearchBoard. 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 GeneralSearchBoard. 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 GeneralSearchBoard 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 GeneralSearchBoard. 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 GeneralSearchBoard – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
GeneralSearchBoard-FAQ
What is GeneralSearchBoard on your Mac?
The GeneralSearchBoard 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 GeneralSearchBoard?
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 GeneralSearchBoard?
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 GeneralSearchBoard Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this GeneralSearchBoard 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 GeneralSearchBoard?
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 GeneralSearchBoard threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.