Explore Search Results
Explore Search Results is the name of an invasive program that infiltrates Mac systems to perform various troublesome activities. In general, it is an app you don’t want to be installed on your Mac, in other words, a potentially unwanted program. Unfortunately, this undesired app finds its way to Mac operating systems where it alters main browser settings and starts delivering annoying ads. Yet another issue that may occur after the unnoticed installation of Explore Search Results is unsolicited data collection.
Read this article if you believe that your Mac has been affected by Explore Search Results malware and find out how to get rid of this undesired program.
Threat Summary
| Name | Explore Search Results |
| Type | Unwanted App for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Aims to display different types of ads. Tracks information without perission. May alter main browser preferences. |
| Symptoms | You may see pop-ups, redirects, browser search ads, banners and other types of online ads. |
| Distribution Method | Via web page or software bundling. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Combo Cleaner
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Explore Search Results. |
ExploreSearchResults App on Mac
Once installed on your Mac – a process which usually happens without your knowledge – the Explore Search Results app creates a new user profile in order to get higher permissions and perform a series of modifications. The program may become able to obtain information from the affected machine and serve it to its owners. Typically, browsers affected by Explore Search Results start showing annoying pop-ups and redirecting you to bogus websites with fake online offers.
On the one hand, the Explore Search Results’ behavior indicates that it is an adware program as it aims to monetize its presence on a Mac by showing various annoying ads to affected users. On the other hand, this undesired program belongs to the browser hijacker category as in some cases it may alter main browser preferences like those of the homepage, new tab page and default search engine.
What’s more about the unwanted Explore Search Results is that it collects data from affected browsers and systems without displaying any notification or permission request. For the purpose, it activates tracking technologies like cookies, web beacons and custom scripts. Following the installation of tracking technologies, the unwanted program becomes able to spy on your online behavior and harvest data like browsing history, search queries, visited websites, clicks on links, clicks on ads, text you fill on various websites, IP address, geolocation, Internet service provider and so on.
Since such type of programs tends to land on computer devices with the help of shady spreading mechanisms, it is very likely that you missed the moment when the undesired program was started on your Mac. You might have unnoticeably allowed the installation of the undesired app during the installation of another app you downloaded from the web. Unfortunately, most of the apps that feature additional apps in their installers do not disclose properly the details about the presence of added extras in an attempt to make you more prone to install extras without noticing them.
The sooner you notice and remove Explore Search Results from your Mac, the better. Otherwise, your browser and system will remain vulnerable to privacy violations and malware attacks.
Remove Explore Search Results from Your Mac
In order to remove Explore Search Results undesired app along with all harmful entries created on the system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. The manual Explore Search Results removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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 Explore Search Results files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Explore Search Results, 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 Explore Search Results 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 Explore Search Results:
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 Explore Search Results. 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 Explore Search Results. 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 Explore Search Results 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 Explore Search Results. 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 Explore Search Results – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Explore Search Results-FAQ
What is Explore Search Results on your Mac?
The Explore Search Results 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 Explore Search Results?
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 Explore Search Results?
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 Explore Search Results Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Explore Search Results 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 Explore Search Results?
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 Explore Search Results threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.