This blog post has been created to explain what the TapuFind browser hijacker is and how to remove this unwanted toolbar from Safari, Firefox, Chrome on your Mac.
TapuFind “Virus” App
TapuFind is another one of those low-reputation type of programs and its primary purpose is to change the settings on your web browser and then use it to show you push notifications and ads. The hijacker pretends to be a new search engine that is designed to contribute to your Mac experience in a positive way. However, the positiveness ends when you understand that this software may be the main reason why you see so many ads on your Mac and its performance is sluggish.
This is because the program may lead you to various third-party sites via it’s ads shown to you and the outcome of this is anything but positive and may even lead to malware infection with time. This is why, if you have TapuFind browser hijacker and you find it difficult to be uninstalled, we would suggest that you read this article thoroughly.
Aims to change the settings of Safari and other web browsers installed on Macs and display a lot of third-party advertisements, some of which may be dangerous to users.
Symptoms
Slow and sluggish performance of the Mac. Changed browser settings. Different types of ads show uninvited.
TapuFind is a program that is trying to pose as a useful freeware for Mac. One way via which you may have installed is if you believed that it is indeed useful and added it to your Mac or browser via a website that is advertising TapuFind as a program that appears to be helpful for your online searching experience.
Another very effective way by which TapuFind may be spread on your Mac is to be added to the installer of a third-party program you have downloaded from a freeware download site. Such apps often have third-party software, like TapuFind embedded in their installation steps. And it is not easy to locate it either, since this installer is usually located in the “Advanced” or “Custom” installation mode, somewhere in the installation steps where the app is advertised likely as an optional offer or a “free extra” to your current installation.
TapuFind – Further Information
Once TapuFind has been installed on your Mac, it may begin to modify your web browsers’ settings. The first thing it does is to set its own search engine as a home and a new tab page.
The search engine does not have its own actual search database and does not support encrypted connection, which is highly untypical for legitimate search engines:
On top of this, the connection to the search site of TapuFind is not encrypted either, which means that everything you do is exposed and can be stolen from you. Mix this with the tracking technologies that are use by Tapufind, like cookies (on the image above) and you get a clear hoax search engine.
The tracking technologies may be used by the TapuFind browser hijacker to obtain the following types of information from your web browser:
Sites you have visited.
What you have searched.
Where you click online.
What you type while on your browser.
Which sites you have bookmarked.
This information may not only be seen by TapuFind but by other parties as well, since your connection to the site is not HTTPS secure. The advertisements which you may see as a result of having TapuFind on your web browser could be of the following types:
Redirections.
Pop-up ads.
Ad-supported search results.
Banner adverts.
Clickable highlighted text.
Most of the ads usually lead to other browser hijacker search engines or to various third-party sites as we demonstrate when we performed a search below:
As visible from the image, almost the whole first page of this browser hijacker is taken over by customized Yahoo search ads as many browser hijackers typically do. These ads may lead you to different websites, most of which may be dangerous in various ways;
Scamming sites that may display pages that aim to trick you that your Mac is at risk.
Phishing sites that pose as legitimate login pages for Google, Yahoo and other sites.
Websites that aim to convince users that they are legitimate, but may contain harmful software.
Malicious redirects that may install more adware or directly infect your Mac with viruses.
How to Remove TapuFind from Your Mac
If you want to get rid of TapuFind browser hijacker effectively, we would strongly suggest that you follow the removal manul underneath. It has been created in order to make it easier for you to remove this unwanted program either manually or automatically.
But since victims of TapuFind have reported TapuFind to be back on their computers even though they have already removed it several days beforehand, security professionals advise to scan your computer using an anti-malware scanner. It is capable of detecting all of the files, that are associated with TapuFind and removing those files permanently so that your Mac is completely rid of it.
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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TapuFind 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.
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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 TapuFind files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as TapuFind, 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 TapuFind:
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 TapuFind and remove related files and objects
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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 TapuFind:
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 TapuFind. 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 TapuFind. 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 TapuFind 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 TapuFind. 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 TapuFind – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.Remove a toolbar from Google ChromeRemove 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 TapuFind 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.
TapuFind-FAQ
What is TapuFind on your Mac?
The TapuFind 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 TapuFind?
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 TapuFind?
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 TapuFind Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this TapuFind 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 TapuFind?
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 TapuFind threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
