MajorChannelSearch is a potentially unwanted app that belongs to the Adware family. It is considered a potentially security threat because it often installed on MAC without the knowledge of the owner. MajorChannelSearch usually just displays unwanted ads, but sometimes it can be used to obtain your confidential data.
Another reason why you need to delete this adware is its online data-tracking activity. MajorChannelSearch has the ability to gather lots of sensitive info (your ip address, what is a web-site you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the Web, which links you are clicking), which can later transfer to third parties.
Threat Summary
Name | MajorChannelSearch, Major Channel Search 1.0 app |
Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop ups, popup advertisements, pop-up virus |
Symptoms |
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Removal | MajorChannelSearch removal guide |
How does MajorChannelSearch get on your MAC OS
MajorChannelSearch and other adware software usually is bundled within another application in the same installation package. The risk of this is especially high for the various free applications downloaded from the Internet. The developers of the programs are hoping that users will run the quick setup mode, that is simply to click the Next button, without paying attention to the information on the screen and do not carefully considering every step of the install procedure. Thus, MajorChannelSearch can infiltrate your MAC OS without your knowledge. Therefore, it’s very important to read all the information that tells the program during installation, including the ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’. Use only the Manual, Custom or Advanced setup method. This mode will allow you to disable all optional and unwanted applications and components.
If the Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari have been affected by the MajorChannelSearch, you must have finished any of the steps below. Once you have removed Major Channel Search app from your MAC by following our instructions below, make sure not to commit the same mistakes again in the future.
How to Remove MajorChannelSearch app from Mac (Adware virus removal tutorial)
According to cyber threat analysts, MajorChannelSearch adware removal can be done manually and/or automatically. These tools which are listed below will allow you remove adware, harmful browser extensions, malware and PUPs . However, if you are not willing to install other apps to remove Major Channel Search, then use following guide to return your MAC OS settings to defaults.
To remove MajorChannelSearch, use the steps below:
- Manual MajorChannelSearch removal
- Automatic Removal of MajorChannelSearch adware software
- Use AdBlocker to stay safe online
- To sum up
Manual MajorChannelSearch removal
This part of the blog post is a step-by-step guide that will show you how to remove Major Channel Search adware manually. You just need to carefully complete each step. In this case, you do not need to install any additional apps.
Uninstall MajorChannelSearch associated software by using the Finder
The process of adware removal is generally the same across all versions of Mac OS. To start with, it is necessary to check the list of installed programs on your MAC system and uninstall all unused, unknown and questionable applications.
- Open the Finder.
- Click “Applications”.
- It will display a list of all programs installed on the MAC OS.
- Scroll through the all list, and remove suspicious and unknown applications. Pay maximum attention to the application you installed last.
- Drag the questionable program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
- Empty Trash.
Remove MajorChannelSearch adware from Chrome
Reset Chrome settings will remove MajorChannelSearch ads from browser and disable malicious extensions. It will also clear cached and temporary data (cookies, site data and content). However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
First open the Google Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots ().
It will display the Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed addons. If the list has the addon signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following steps: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Open the Google Chrome menu once again. Further, click the option named “Settings”.
The browser will show the settings screen. Another solution to open the Google Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as shown on the image below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Chrome will show the confirmation dialog box as displayed below.
You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The internet browser will run the procedure of cleaning. Once it’s done, the web browser’s settings including default search provider, start page and newtab page back to the values that have been when the Chrome was first installed on your computer.
Delete MajorChannelSearch from Safari
By resetting Safari web browser you revert back your browser settings to its default state. This is good initial when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by MajorChannelSearch adware.
Click Safari menu and select “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious plugins on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all unknown add-ons from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Remove MajorChannelSearch adware software from Firefox
If the Firefox settings such as newtab page, start page and search provider have been replaced by the Major Channel Search, then resetting it to the default state can help. It’ll save your personal information like saved passwords, bookmarks, auto-fill data and open tabs.
First, start the Firefox and click button. It will open the drop-down menu on the right-part of the browser. Further, click the Help button () as on the image below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the browser adress bar and press Enter. It will display the “Troubleshooting Information” page as on the image below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will display the confirmation prompt. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will start a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the MajorChannelSearch adware. After, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.
Automatic Removal of MajorChannelSearch adware software
The adware can hide its components which are difficult for you to find out and get rid of completely. This may lead to the fact that after some time, the MajorChannelSearch adware software which redirects your internet browser to unwanted ad websites once again infect your machine. Moreover, We want to note that it is not always safe to remove adware software manually, if you do not have much experience in setting up and configuring the operating system. The best way to search for and remove adware is to use free malicious software removal programs.
Automatically remove MajorChannelSearch adware with MalwareBytes
Manual MajorChannelSearch removal requires some computer skills. Some files that created by the adware software can be not completely removed. We recommend that use the MalwareBytes that are completely free your machine of adware. Moreover, this free tool will allow you to delete browser hijacker infection, malicious software, PUPs and toolbars that your MAC OS can be infected too.
Visit the page linked below to download MalwareBytes.
20841 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
When the downloading process is finished, close all windows on your machine. Further, start the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes will automatically start and you may see its main window as shown below.
Next, click the “Scan Now” button for checking your Apple Mac for the MajorChannelSearch adware. Depending on your Apple Mac, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the utility is checking, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.
Once MalwareBytes Anti-Malware has completed scanning, you can check all threats found on your computer. You may remove items (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Remove Selected Items” button.
The MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will delete MajorChannelSearch adware and move threats to the program’s quarantine.
Use AdBlocker to stay safe online
In order to increase your security and protect your MAC system against new unwanted advertisements and malicious webpages, you need to use ad blocker program that blocks an access to harmful ads and web sites. Moreover, the program can stop the show of intrusive advertising, that also leads to faster loading of webpages and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
Please go to the link below to download AdGuard.
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
When downloading is complete, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guidance. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guidance which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted ads, block harmful or misleading web pages.
To sum up
Once you have finished the few simple steps outlined above, your machine should be clean from this adware and other malicious software. The Firefox, Chrome and Safari will no longer display annoying MajorChannelSearch ads when you surf the Net. Unfortunately, if the tutorial does not help you, then you have caught a new adware software, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the MajorChannelSearch adware.