What Is SearchWebMesh Mac
SearchWebMesh is an application for Mac that has been ousted as a browser hijacker. This software is not a virus, but it may be just as dangerous. The reason for that is the ads it may show after being installed on your Mac. The main objective of SearchWebMesh is to modify the web browsers on your computer after which set its own web pages as default home, new tab, and search pages. The outcome of this is SearchWebMesh may show a lot of ads to make money via getting you to see those ads without the need to. And since it is all for profit, SearchWebMesh may end up causing trouble on your macOS, because some of these ads could eventually lead to dangerous domains.
Read this article to learn how to remove SearchWebMesh from your Mac completely.
SearchWebMesh Summary
| Name | SearchWebMesh |
| Type | 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 computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by SearchWebMesh
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SearchWebMesh. |
SearchWebMesh – Further Details
SearchWebMesh is a very similar ad-supported software to other recently discovered apps, like Venom, ExploreSync and BucaApps for Mac. These programs may end up being installed on your macOS by being automatically bundled with the setup of another app you may have downloaded from a third-party site. They are easy to miss, since their install step is often in the “Advanced” install option.
Once SearchWebMesh is added to your Mac, it may begin to modify your browser and change its home, new tab and other default pages. The outcome of this is you may start seeing the following kinds of ads to begin appearing on your Mac:
- Pop-ups.
- Redirects to other sites.
- Search result ads.
- Highlighted-text pop-ups.
- Banners.
- Push notification adverts.
These ads and the pages, related to SearchWebMesh may be responsible for a number of trackers that could start appearing on your Mac, such as:
- One or more cookies.
- Session Tags.
- Pixel objects.
- Geo-locators.
- Flash cookies.
These trackers are small objects dropped on your drive and attached to your browser and they are usually difficult to spot and delete manually. They can be used to obtain different information concerning your browsing activities, such as:
- Pages you’ve been on.
- Clicks you make.
- Your favorite sites.
- Your browsing history.
But the main problem with SearchWebMesh is it could lead you to some very shady websites that may not be safe, like:
- Phishing or fraud sites.
- Scammer pages.
- Virus pages.
- Fake Tech support scams.
- Fake software download sites.
- Redirect loop URLs.
- Information stealing and fake survey sites.
This is the main reason why SearchWebMesh is classified as a potentially unwanted website and its removal is highly reccomended.
Remove SearchWebMesh from Your Device
SearchWebMesh can be removed from your Mac by following the laid-out steps beneath this article. They have been created with the main purpose to assist you in removing SearchWebMesh from your macOS and your web browsers. For the most effective removal, it is good advice to download and scan your Mac using an anti-malware app. Such an expert app is made to effectively check your Mac and browsers against any malware, adware and trackers currently in it and get rid of them quickly and permanently.
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.
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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 SearchWebMesh files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchWebMesh, 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 SearchWebMesh 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 SearchWebMesh:
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 SearchWebMesh. 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 SearchWebMesh. 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 SearchWebMesh 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 SearchWebMesh. 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 SearchWebMesh – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SearchWebMesh-FAQ
What is SearchWebMesh on your Mac?
The SearchWebMesh 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 SearchWebMesh?
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 SearchWebMesh?
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 SearchWebMesh Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SearchWebMesh 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 SearchWebMesh?
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 SearchWebMesh threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.