If you are wondering how SearchTopic app has appeared on your Mac and what kind of program it is, then you are not alone. There are many Mac users whose systems are affected by this app without their knowledge.
SearchTopic Mac Adware
SearchTopic is another questionable app created to run on macOS. Even though it pretends to be a helpful and legitimate tool for Mac, it is a potentially unwanted program that tricks users into installing it on their Mac systems. It is being spread via shady techniques like software packages, questionable websites and corrupted software installers. Once executed on the system, SearchTopic may activate tracking technologies that collect sensitive data and transfer it to remote servers. Then the program could begin to deliver different forms of advertisements based on the harvested details.
In this article, we will reveal all important details related to the undesired program SearchTopic and all issues related to its presence on your Mac. Since SearchTopic poses a certain danger to the security of your macOS, we recommend that you consider its immediate removal.
SearchTopic adware Summary
| Name | SearchTopic |
| Type | PUP, Adware |
| Short Description | A questionable application that hijacks Mac systems and popular browsers like Safari and Chrome installed on them. Performs browser modifications without your knowledge. |
| Symptoms | Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The program may start every time you start the affected Mac. |
| 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 SearchTopic adware. |
More Details About SearchTopic Adware on Mac
SearchTopic is a program for Mac that acts like adware. Hence, SearchTopic is a program that primarily aims to deliver ads on Macs. To generate revenue for adware’s owners, the app should present ads that match your interests. This way it is more likely that you will visit sponsored content. So once SearchTopic tricks you into running its activation files, it may activate tracking technologies to start spying on your online activities.
Then the undesired app may start to show different advertisements on your Mac. Some of them could be of the following types:
- Browser redirect.
- Pop-up ads.
- Banners.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Highlighted text on the sites you visit.
The ads delivered by SearchTopic may be so intrusive that the affected browser may become sluggish or unresponsive. Furthermore, these ads may redirect you to different dangerous websites. Beware with all those ads and websites because they may expose your Mac system at risk of serious malware infections. Better refrain from visiting questionable sponsored content.
Even though this adware is not a malicious program, it can trick you into visiting hacked web pages. As a result, a drive-by attack that delivers malware infection may occur. That’s why we recommend the immediate removal of SearchTopic adware from both the affected browser and Mac.
How to Remove SearchTopic Mac Adware
In order to remove SearchTopic adware along with all entries it creates 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. Some of the files associated with the adware cannot be removed manually except you are an experienced computer user. So the manual adware 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.
Follow Me:
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 SearchTopic adware 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:
- 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 SearchTopic adware 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:
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 SearchTopic adware – 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
Step 3: Scan for and remove SearchTopic adware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchTopic adware, 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.
