What Is NeedSearch Mac?
NeedSearch is an online search engine offered on your Mac as a result of an undesirable program that could be pushing it. Such hijackers can present various search sites that are scams, like the Gosearch.me hijacker and i-gosearch.com redirect. This unwanted program can be installed on your Mac and can begin to change all of the preferred pages on your browser to NeedSearch and the outcome of this is that you could end up with an altered new tab page and other changes. This can take place on the majority of browsers, like Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and others. Such unwanted apps are referred to as browser hijackers and you should know that they are not to be trusted because having them for a longer time could cause risks for your Mac.
Hijackers, like NeedSearch could be spread on your computer system using a strategy that is known as packing or bundling. The main idea is that NeedSearch could be included in the install configurations of free applications. By doing this, the NeedSearch application may be added to your Mac without you discovering this procedure. This might consist of adding the NeedSearch app to your Mac through the installers of other programs where it might be marketed as a cost-free deal that is included as a useful extra to the current setup.
NeedSearch Summary
| Name | NeedSearch also known as MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw], MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw], OSX/Adware.Synataeb.F, HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h |
| Type | Browser Hijacker on 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 machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss NeedSearch. |
NeedSearch Virus Redirect Mac — Description
There are a number of actions that you can do if you wish to avoid programs, like NeedSearch in the future:
- Never fast-click your way through a setup process.
- Attempt to stay away from third-party installers as much as possible.
- Select Custom/Advanced install.
This will provide you the chance to stop the installation of any kind of additional software programs, featured on the installer.
When the NeedSearch software is added to your Mac, it could start to change your browser settings. The main idea is that it can trigger a redirect to other search pages or it could appear each time when you open your internet browser. The main goal of this app and its activity is that you could begin to see ad-supported search engine results or various other types of advertisements. The ads that may be presented by this hijacker could be of the following kinds:
- Push Notification ads.
- Pop-ups.
- Redirects.
- Pop-unders.
- Banners.
- Highlighted Text ads.
The main risks that are related to NeedSearch are related to the the advertisements it shows on your Mac since they might lead you to various high-risk sites, such as:
- Virus URLs.
- Even more adware.
- Tech assistance scams.
- Rip-off websites.
- Phishing pages.
These threats are what makes NeedSearch unsafe for your computer and its elimination is highly recommended.
How to Get Rid of NeedSearch from Your Mac
The main problem with NeedSearch is that you see ads that may be dangerous. There is no clear means to detect for certain if these advertisements are not hazardous to it since they lead to suspicious locations. In case you are redirected to a site that is controlled by hackers and as a result, end up being targeted by malware, your information could be at risk. This is why we encourage you to follow the elimination guides below this post as they can help you to isolate and remove risks, like NeedSearch.
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 NeedSearch files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as NeedSearch, 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 NeedSearch 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 NeedSearch:
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 NeedSearch. 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 NeedSearch. 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 NeedSearch 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 NeedSearch. 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 NeedSearch – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
NeedSearch-FAQ
What is NeedSearch on your Mac?
The NeedSearch 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 NeedSearch?
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 NeedSearch?
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 NeedSearch Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this NeedSearch 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 NeedSearch?
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 NeedSearch threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.