SearchPrimary troubling your Mac system? SearchPrimary is an unwanted application. SearchPrimary gets into a Mac computer without notifying the user.
SearchPrimary PUP on MAC
SearchPrimary can be found bundled with other software. In this way, the malware can get inside a computer system without the knowledge or permission of the computer’s owner. Various advertisements could also appear as a result. Adding to that, scare messages might appear trying to trick Mac users into installing other PUPs or tamper with browser search results. If you have SearchPrimary installed on your Mac, then know that pop-ups and alert notifications that have no obvious source might be stemming from this software.
Threat Summary
| Name | SearchPrimary |
| Type | PUP/Rogue Application |
| Short Description | SearchPrimary is a PUP. It is known to be bundled with other unwanted software and it could come with applications which might put various advertisements and scare messages, trying to trick you to install more apps. |
| Symptoms | Pop-up boxes, messages, and alerts appear on your Mac machine. Your applications freeze and you have to manually force quit them and restart to get a response from your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SearchPrimary. |
SearchPrimary – What Is It and Why Are My Applications Frozen?
The SearchPrimary unwanted application is being effectively distributed via freeware installers and bundled packages. You can get your Mac affected by it without even being aware, that the SearchPrimary has installed on your machine with a freeware installation or bundled package. You might avoid this, by unchecking options under the Advanced or Custom tab of an installation suite. Visiting suspicious sites, for instance a site hosting programs that sound helpful by description is one way to get this inside your computer system.
Similar threats made for Mac machines are circling the Web as you can see below:
SearchPrimary is a potentially unwanted program (PUP). It is known to have been connected to lots of applications which are considered PUPs and also pushes advertisements along via other applications. The PUP is known to show advertising pop-ups and freeze your Mac applications.
SearchPrimary could show a reasonably convincing, but fake variant of the normal OS X dialog message box which says that no suitable app is installed. All these programs have a valid, Apple-provided developer certificate, thus macOS will install them without prompting a warning or a notification of any sort.
Above you can see how the logo of how the application looks like. The above extension might be present, related to the unwanted application, which in turn could be installing more junk on your Mac machine.
Refrain from clicking on suspicious advertisements and links that can pop up. You should also be wary of what information you give out to search engines and websites. In case you do not like the idea of any information to be acquired about you by this browser hijacker redirect or its services, you should consider removing it.
Remove SearchPrimary PUP from Your Mac
If you want to remove the SearchPrimary unwanted software from your Mac machine we recommend that you use a specific anti-malware for Mac systems. With a specific anti-malware program, your computer will remain with a better protection and stay healthy performance-wise in the future.
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Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer 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 SearchPrimary files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchPrimary, 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 SearchPrimary 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 SearchPrimary:
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 SearchPrimary. 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 SearchPrimary. 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 SearchPrimary 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 SearchPrimary. 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 SearchPrimary – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SearchPrimary-FAQ
What is SearchPrimary on your Mac?
The SearchPrimary 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 SearchPrimary?
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 SearchPrimary?
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 SearchPrimary Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SearchPrimary 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 SearchPrimary?
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 SearchPrimary threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.