What Is Simple Search App?
In this article, you will find more information about the suspicious application Simple Search. This guide will help you to get rid of this unwanted application and the steps in it are suitable for all Mac operating system versions.
Simple Search App is a questionable program that hijacks some main settings of popular browsers installed on macOS. Even though it may seem to be a helpful and legitimate app, it is yet another potentially unwanted program that delivers annoying ads and harvests data. One of the main reasons why the Simple Search App is classified as a PUP is its invasive behavior.
The developers of this program for Mac are spreading it via methods that trick people into installing it on their Mac systems accidentally. Once executed on the system, Simple Search App activates different tracking technologies and starts collecting sensitive data from browsers it affects. Based on data records, which are transferred to its remote server, developers set the app to generate various types of advertisements.
Simple Search Details
| Name | Simple Search App |
| Type | Unwanted App for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Aims to display different types of ads. Tracks information without perission. May alter main browser preferences. |
| Symptoms | You may see pop-ups, redirects, browser search ads, banners and other types of online ads. |
| Distribution Method | Via a suspicious web page or software bundling. |
| Detection Tool |
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Simple Search App on Mac – How Does It Spread?
The main classification of Simple Search App is a potentially unwanted program. However, based on its behavior, we could say that it is also an adware with traits of a browser hijacker. Such type of apps is not something new that Mac users can encounter on their systems. Several years ago developers of PUPs had primarily focused on creating apps for Windows operating systems.
However, with the increase of the percent of users who use Mac devices, PUP publishers have found a way to configure their apps to affect macOS as well. A few examples of recently discovered PUPs for Mac reported by our team are the BasicVirtual Hijacker, DynamicExtra Hijacker and ActiveTrack Adware.
As a potentially unwanted program, Simple Search App may have landed on your Mac without your knowledge. This issue tends to occur after people download a free application from sources different than the official Apple AppStore.
Once started on your Mac, Simple Search App appears in your Applications list. It may appear as a Safari browser extension as well. Beware that it is promoted as an app that can enhance the browsing and improve online performance, but in reality, is an app that aims to monetize its presence on your machine.
The main idea behind the creation of Simple Search App is to enable its developers to gain revenue. So the moment this app loads on a macOS, it alters browser settings like homepage, new tab page and default search engine. The undesired program is likely to affect Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari and other trustworthy web browsers.
Then Simple Search app may start to show different advertisements on your Mac. Some of these ads could be of the following types:
- Browser redirect.
- Pop-up ads.
- Banners.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Highlighted text on the sites you visit.
The sponsored content generated by Simple Search App may redirect you to different dangerous websites. Such websites could attempt to make you a victim of an online scam. You may also be presented with various phishing web pages that aim to steal sensitive credentials. At worst, your affected browser will be redirected to a malicious site that is configured to deliver malicious software on your Mac.
Is SimpleSearchApp a Virus?
All annoying redirects and ads caused by SimpleSearchApp may greatly disrupt your browsing experience. However, this online advertising tool does not belong to the computer viruses category. It is not capable of corrupting system components and personal data. Even though SimpleSearchApp is not a virus, it still poses a particular danger to the overall security of your Mac.
Among the issues that occur after the unnoticed installation of SimpleSearchApp on your, Mac is the activation of different tracking technologies. These technologies may be cookies, web beacons, scripts, and so on. With their help, the adware will be collecting technical details about your browser and system as well as browsing history, clicks on links, visited websites, entered search queries, searches on different websites, IP address, geolocation, etc.
Security experts recommend the complete removal of SimpleSearchApp from affected Mac devices.
Remove Simple Search App from Your Mac
In order to remove Simple Search App undesired app along with all harmful entries created 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. The manual Simple Search App 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
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 Simple Search App files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Simple Search App, 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 Simple Search App 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 Simple Search App:
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 Simple Search App. 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 Simple Search App. 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 Simple Search App 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 Simple Search App. 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 Simple Search App – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Simple Search App-FAQ
What is Simple Search App on your Mac?
The Simple Search App 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 Simple Search App?
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 Simple Search App?
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 Simple Search App Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Simple Search App 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 Simple Search App?
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 Simple Search App threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.