What Is SearchExtensionbyAsk Mac
SearchExtensionbyAsk is a browser extension for Mac that may modify the default search engine, new tab page and home page of your browsers. The main issue with SearchExtensionbyAsk is it could begin to show tons of ads and cause redirects to Ask search – a search engine well known to be associated with many different adware kinds. A big problem with these ads is not only that they may slow your Mac down, but they could also cause ads that may lead to dangerous websites.
Read this article if you want to learn how to remove SearchExtensionbyAsk from your Mac and clean up your browsers.
SearchExtensionbyAsk Summary
| Name | SearchExtensionbyAsk |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| 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 computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by SearchExtensionbyAsk
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SearchExtensionbyAsk. |
SearchExtensionbyAsk Mac Redirect Activity Report
SearchExtensionbyAsk is a typical browser hijacker for Mac. It is very similar to other apps, like SearchConsole, NetSearchAgent and OnlineResultsSearch.
SearchExtensionbyAsk may be added to your Mac as a result of software bundling. This is a strategy via which the SearchExtensionbyAsk software may be spread without your knowledge or consent. The main reason for that is the software may be included as a “free extra” that is added to the setups of some other freely downloaded software, like media players, file converters and others of this kind. The way SearchExtensionbyAsk gets slithered is it is often hidden in an install step in the “Advanced” or “Custom” installation mode.
Once SearchExtensionbyAsk is added to your Mac, it may begin to set a default new tab, search and home pages on your web browsers to ask.com. The outcome of this is you could begin to experience the following ads appearing on your Mac:
- Search result advertisements.
- Ads linked on the text of the sites you read from.
- New banners that replace legitimate ones on the sites you visit.
- Push notificaitons.
- Pop-up promotion.
- Third-party website transfers.
Among the ads shown, there may be trackers being used – small files dropped on your Mac that may create problems for it if not removed. These trackers include cookies, pixels, tags and others of this kind and are used to collect information regarding the following browsing activities on your Mac:
- Your browsers’ history.
- What you search.
- Your last pages seen.
- Bookmarked sites.
- Your location and language.
- Your mouse clicks, scrolls and movements.
But these trackers are nothing when compared to the dangerous sites these ads may lead you to:
- Software download sites that are fraud.
- Scam pages.
- Virus websites that infect your device with malware.
- Fake tech support.
- Redirects to other adware and risky domains.
- Survey scams that are phishing.
- Fake websites designed to steal information.
This is what makes SearchExtensionbyAsk indirect threat to your Mac and is the reason why its removal is advisable.
Remove SearchExtensionbyAsk from Your Device
SearchExtensionbyAsk is the kind of software that can be gotten rid of by following the removal manual underneath this article. It has been created to contain the necessary removal steps to help you get rid of SearchExtensionbyAsk from macOS and your browsers. Be advised that the most recommended removal method according to experts is to scan your Mac using anti-malware software. Such a program is created with the main purpose to scan for and detect different kinds of malware, adware, trackers, and other such types of risky files.
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.
Follow Me:
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 SearchExtensionbyAsk files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchExtensionbyAsk, 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 SearchExtensionbyAsk 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 SearchExtensionbyAsk:
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 SearchExtensionbyAsk. 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 SearchExtensionbyAsk. 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 SearchExtensionbyAsk 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 SearchExtensionbyAsk. 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 SearchExtensionbyAsk – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SearchExtensionbyAsk-FAQ
What is SearchExtensionbyAsk on your Mac?
The SearchExtensionbyAsk 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 SearchExtensionbyAsk?
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 SearchExtensionbyAsk?
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 SearchExtensionbyAsk Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SearchExtensionbyAsk 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 SearchExtensionbyAsk?
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 SearchExtensionbyAsk threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.