How to Remove Phase Search Mac Virus

by Gergana Ivanova | December 2, 2019 | 1 Comment how to remove, Mac Virus, Phase Search, PUP, virus

The Phase Search is a potentially unwanted program that affects Mac operating systems by tricking users into installing it. The program is spread via shady spread methods.

Phase Search “Virus”

Once executed on your Mac system, Phase Search is likely to activate tracking technologies in order to obtain certain details that define your browsing behavior. The app transfers data to remote servers and then start using it for advertising purposes. As a result of having Phase Search virus on your Mac, you may start noticing lots of annoying online ads as well as performance issues.

Keep up with our Phase Search virus removal guide and find out how to get rid of all potentially harmful files. The steps in this guide are applicable to all Mac operating system versions.

Threat Summary

Name	Phase Search virus
Type	PUP
Short Description	A questionable application that hijacks web browsers installed on Mac. The app applies modifications without your knowledge.
Symptoms	Main browser preferences may be altered. Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Phase Search virus.

Phase Search Virus – Spreading Techniques and Impact

Similar to Search Pulse, TotalResultsSearch, and Navlibx, Phase Search is a questionable application that has been noticed to affect Mac operating systems.

The program can be categorized as a potentially unwanted program due to the fact that it lands on Mac systems without users’ knowledge or permission. For the purpose are utilized various shady spread techniques like freeware with counterfeit installers, fake software update notifications, software packages, bogus websites, etc. So before you proceed with a software update make sure that it is released from the developers of the app. In addition, choose wisely the online sources that you download apps from.

Once started on your Mac, Phase Search virus alters some main browser settings in order to become able to spy on your online activities. Then it connects to a remote server where it sends harvested data to its owners. The nasty app can install unwanted browser extensions with the goal to become able to deliver sponsored content that matches your online interests. As a result, you may start noticing many annoying online ads to pop-up during browsing sessions. All popular browsers including Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Opera may be compromised by the undesired app.

Why is Phase Search app considered to be a Mac virus? It is mainly due to the fact that it tends to appear on Mac devices without users’ knowledge or permission. As regards the issues caused by the so-called Phase Search virus, they do not affect the Mac system or personal files stored on the drives.

However, taking everything mentioned above in mind, we think that the presence of Phase Search on your Mac may lead to some serious system security and privacy-related issues. To avoid all unpleasant issues that may come as a result of having the Phase Search program on your Mac, navigate to the removal instructions below and get rid of this undesired and potentially harmful program.

How to Remove Phase Search Unwanted App from Affected Browser and macOS

In order to remove Phase Search along with all entries it 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 Phase Search virus 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

Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.

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REMOVE IT NOW (MAC)

with SpyHunter for Mac

Phase Search virus may remain persistent on your system and may re-infect it. We recommend you to download SpyHunter for Mac and run free scan to remove all virus files on your Mac. This saves you hours of time and effort compared to doing the removal yourself.

Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Read EULA and Privacy Policy

Preparation Phase:

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.

Step 1: Uninstall Phase Search virus and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

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 Phase Search virus:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

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 Phase Search virus. 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 Phase Search virus. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7. Remove any left-over 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 Phase Search virus 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

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 Phase Search virus. 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 2: Remove Phase Search virus – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox

Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.

Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome

Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox

1. Start Safari

2. After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

3. From the menu, click on "Preferences"

4. After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab

5. Click once on the extension you want to remove.

6. Click 'Uninstall'

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Phase Search virus will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

1. Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

2. Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

3. From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the add-on and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.

4. After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" in the top right corner and start it again.

1. Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

2. Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

3. Select the Extension and click "Remove"

4. After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" in the top right corner and start it again.

Step 3: Scan for and remove Phase Search virus files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Phase Search virus, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Phase Search virus:

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SpyHunter for Mac