What Is GeneralSearchProject Mac
GeneralSearchProject is the last possible software that you want to see on your Mac. Its main purpose is to cause a lot of different advertisements and change the settings of your web browser in order to lead you to third-party websites for profit. Many of those websites may turn out to be scams or even malware-infested and this is the main reason why such a software has been regarded as an indirect risk to your device.
Read this article if you want to learn further details about this nasty application and what steps you should take to fully get rid of it.
GeneralSearchProject Mac – Details
| Name | GeneralSearchProject |
| 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 GeneralSearchProject
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss GeneralSearchProject. |
GeneralSearchProject Virus – How Did I Get Infected
GeneralSearchProject is similar to programs, like Stateful Firewall, ViewOrigin and a href=”https://sensorstechforum.com/remove-quantitytopic-mac-adware/” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>QuantityTopic. These are all detected as a PUP and are very likely from the same developer family – Adload.
One of the most often used methods for these apps to get installed in your Mac is to use software bundling. This generally means that they may be included in the setup steps of another program, where they may be promoted as free offers of some sort, like the example below shows:
GeneralSearchProject may also pose as being a real Adobe Flash Player update on a fake website, which may deceive you into downloading it:
GeneralSearchProject Mac – What Does It Do?
GeneralSearchProject could be able to change a lot of settings of your web browsers. This includes the default homepage, the search and the new tab as well. The primary activity of this nasty software revolves around showing you tons of different third-party promotions, like the following kinds:
- 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.
Cookies, tags, geo-locators, pixels and many other tracking objects may be used on the sites advertised by this nasty app:
GeneralSearchProject may also be responsible for collecting data using search trackers without your knowledge. The following details may be collected as a result from your device:
- 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 GeneralSearchProject a Virus?
GeneralSearchProject is a Mac adware app and isn’t a virus. However, this app may pose danger to your computer and the information in it. The threat it may pose is tied to the following dangerous domains to which its ads may take you:
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
Keep reading this article to find out further details on what steps you should take to remove this nasty software and fix your Mac.
How to Remove GeneralSearchProject from Mac?
GeneralSearchProject is the kind of software, which may be tricky to remove. This is why we have created the removal steps below and we strongly suggest that you follow them. They have been designed in order to help you clean up your web browsers and your operating system from all traces of this program. Be advised, that scan your computer using a professional anti-malware for Mac is something that is strongly recommended by experts as well. The main reason for that is because such a software has the latest updates of threats in its database and can’t fully scan your device plus automatically remove anything that may be a danger to 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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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 GeneralSearchProject files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as GeneralSearchProject, 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 GeneralSearchProject 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 GeneralSearchProject:
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 GeneralSearchProject. 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 GeneralSearchProject. 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 GeneralSearchProject 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 GeneralSearchProject. 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 GeneralSearchProject – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
GeneralSearchProject-FAQ
What is GeneralSearchProject on your Mac?
The GeneralSearchProject 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 GeneralSearchProject?
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 GeneralSearchProject?
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 GeneralSearchProject Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this GeneralSearchProject 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 GeneralSearchProject?
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 GeneralSearchProject threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.