What Is SearchServiceHelper Mac?
SearchServiceHelper is a bogus search engine presented on your Mac. It is configured to redirect all searches to Yahoo Search. This issue may be dangerous due to unsolicited data collection practices applied by such unwanted programs.
SearchServiceHelper unwanted program could begin to change all of the main browsing preferences when added to your Mac. The outcome is changes applied to the new tab, home page, and default search engine. The app could affect most of the commonly used web browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and others.
Due to their capability of changing the default search engines on web browsers, apps like SearchServiceHelper are referred to as browser hijackers. They should not be trusted. Keeping them on your Mac could lead to security risks for you and your device.
SearchServiceHelper Summary
| Name | SearchServiceHelper |
| Type | Adware, Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| 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 Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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SearchServiceHelper Mac
Browser hijackers like SearchServiceHelper (AccessibleValue, AccessibilityMethod, ExpertSearchModule) could be delivered on your Mac via the bundling technique. It enables the setups of free apps to install SearchServiceHelper in the background of the main installation process. That’s how SearchServiceHelper appears on your Mac without you noticing its configuration process.
Here are a few tips that can help you to avoid unguided installs of programs like SearchServiceHelper in the future:
- Try to avoid using doubtful download sourced and third-party installers.
- Never rush through the setup process of a newly downloaded app.
- Always select the Custom/Advanced setup process. Most of the times it will provide all the details about the installation setup and enable you to stop the activation of unwanted software.
Once SearchServiceHelper runs on your machine it could try to obtain access to installed web browsers by modifying certain settings. The undesired app may affect browser settings like homepage, new browser tab, and primary search engine. The main idea of all those changes is that you are forced to use the services of a bogus search engine and click as many ads as possible.
You could start noticing how all affected browsers redirect searches to Yahoo where lots of adverts appear in the results. Other types of adverts may pop up on the browser as well. What is risky with this situation is the chance that some of the ads generated by SearchServiceHelper may trick you to open dangerous sites. Such sites may present misleading information in order to convince you to download and launch:
- More adware.
- Rogue system optimization tools.
- Malicious software.
- Spyware.
An additional danger is the activation of tracking technologies that harvest sensitive details on the background of all other running apps and processes. These risks are what make SearchServiceHelper dangerous for your Mac and its removal recommended.
How to Remove SearchServiceHelper from Your Mac
In order to remove SearchServiceHelper along with all entries it created on your Mac system, you should complete several removal steps. By keeping the presented order you will achieve maximum efficiency. Before you begin, note that the manual adware removal might turn out to be time-consuming and complicated, so be patient. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the instructions.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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 SearchServiceHelper files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchServiceHelper, 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 SearchServiceHelper 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 SearchServiceHelper:
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 SearchServiceHelper. 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 SearchServiceHelper. 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 SearchServiceHelper 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 SearchServiceHelper. 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 SearchServiceHelper – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SearchServiceHelper-FAQ
What is SearchServiceHelper on your Mac?
The SearchServiceHelper 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 SearchServiceHelper?
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 SearchServiceHelper?
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 SearchServiceHelper Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SearchServiceHelper 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 SearchServiceHelper?
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 SearchServiceHelper threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.