SearchVirtualInfo is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the family of Adware. Adware is short for ‘ad supported’ software. Additionally, some malware has adware software built into the program. Adware software displays unwanted ads that appear in unclosable windows or advertising links on computer. In order to display unwanted advertisements as often as possible adware software can change your internet browser settings. You may even find that your MAC system settings are replaced without your knowledge. The authors of adware software do so in order to earn money via third-party ad network. Thus every your click on the adverts earns profit for them.
Unwanted ads
Another reason why you need to remove the SearchVirtualInfo adware is its online data-tracking activity. It can collect personal information, including:
- IP addresses;
- URLs visited;
- search queries/terms;
- clicks on links and ads;
- browser version information.
Threat Summary
| Name | SearchVirtualInfo, Search Virtual Info 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop up virus, pop ups, pop up ads |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | SearchVirtualInfo removal guide |
How does the SearchVirtualInfo adware get on your Apple Mac
Adware actively distributed with free software, along with the installer of these applications. Therefore, it is very important, when installing an unknown program even downloaded from well-known or big hosting site, read the Terms of use and the Software license, as well as to choose the Manual, Advanced or Custom install type. In this mode, you may disable the install of third-party modules and programs and protect your machine from adware. Do not repeat the mistakes of most users when installing unknown applications, simply click the Next button, and don’t read any information which the free software show them during its installation.
If you want to remove SearchVirtualInfo adware, you will not succeed, because the adware is very stubborn. Using the following tutorial, you surely can get rid of the SearchVirtualInfo ads completely from your web browsers.
How to remove SearchVirtualInfo adware software
When the adware gets installed on your Apple Mac without your knowledge, it is not easy to remove. In most cases, there is no Uninstall program which simply remove the SearchVirtualInfo adware from your MAC system. So, we advise using well-proven free specialized utility such as MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM). But the best way to remove SearchVirtualInfo ads will be to perform several manual steps, after that additionally use antimalware tools.
To remove SearchVirtualInfo, complete the following steps:
- How to delete SearchVirtualInfo adware without any software
- Automatic Removal of SearchVirtualInfo
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to delete SearchVirtualInfo adware without any software
Most adware software can be removed manually, without the use of anti-virus or other removal tools. The manual steps below will guide you through how to remove SearchVirtualInfo adware step by step. Although each of the steps is easy and does not require special knowledge, but you are not sure that you can finish them, then use the free tools, a list of which is given below.
Delete SearchVirtualInfo associated software by using the Finder
Some of PUPs, adware software and hijacker infections can be deleted using the ‘Move to Trash’ tool that is located in the Finder. So, if you’re running any version of Mac and you have noticed an unwanted program, then first try to delete it through the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Very carefully look around the entire list of applications installed on your Apple Mac. Most likely, one of them is the SearchVirtualInfo adware. If you have many apps installed, you can help simplify the search of harmful programs by sort the list by date of installation.
Once you’ve found a questionable, unwanted or unused program, right click to it and select “Move to Trash”. Another method is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Don’t forget, select Finder -> “Empty Trash”.
Remove SearchVirtualInfo from Safari
If you find that Safari browser settings like default search provider, newtab page and home page having been replaced by SearchVirtualInfo adware, then you may return your settings, via the reset web browser procedure.
Click Safari menu and select “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious add-ons on left panel, choose it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to get rid of all unknown plugins 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 SearchVirtualInfo from Firefox by resetting web-browser settings
If Firefox settings are hijacked by the SearchVirtualInfo adware software, your browser displays intrusive pop-up ads, then ‘Reset Firefox’ could solve these problems. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
First, open the Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It will show the drop-down menu. Next, press the Help button (
).
In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button like the one below.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Remove SearchVirtualInfo adware software from Chrome
If your Google Chrome browser is hijacked by SearchVirtualInfo, it may be necessary to completely reset your web browser program to its default settings.
Open the Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will open the drop-down menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the add-on labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guide: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Chrome main menu again, click to “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, as shown in the following example and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.
Automatic Removal of SearchVirtualInfo
Using a malware removal tool to scan for and remove adware hiding on your computer is probably the easiest way to remove the SearchVirtualInfo ads. We recommends the MalwareBytes Free tool for Mac OS Apple Macs. It is the antimalware program for Apple Mac that offers a free malicious software removal.
How to get rid of SearchVirtualInfo with MalwareBytes
If you’re still having issues with the SearchVirtualInfo adware software removal or just wish to check your MAC occasionally for adware and other malicious software, then download MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM). It’s free for home use, and detects and removes various undesired applications that attacks your machine or degrades computer performance. MalwareBytes can delete browser hijacker, adware, potentially unwanted apps as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.
Installing the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) is simple. First you’ll need to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware from the link below. Save it directly to your MS Windows Desktop.
20842 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once downloading is done, close all programs and windows on your MAC system. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen as displayed on the screen below.
Now click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes utility will start scanning the whole Apple Mac to find out the SearchVirtualInfo adware software. While the MalwareBytes tool is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as being affected by malware.
As the scanning ends, a list of all items found is produced. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click “Remove Selected Items” button. The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will begin to uninstall SearchVirtualInfo .
How to stay safe online
Run ad blocking program like AdGuard in order to stop ads, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your MAC system performance and impact your MAC security. Browse the Internet anonymously and stay safe online!
- AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
AdGuard for Mac download
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- Once the downloading process is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the setup is finished, click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you run your MAC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop undesired advertisements, block harmful or misleading webpages.
Finish words
Now your MAC OS should be free of the SearchVirtualInfo . We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted ads and unwanted harmful websites) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new adwares and other malicious software).
If you are still having problems while trying to remove SearchVirtualInfo ads from the Safari, Google Chrome and Firefox, then ask for help here here.
