According to security researchers, DataSearchLauncher is an adware program. What is Adware? Adware is part of malware created for the purpose of displaying constant pop-up windows and/or annoying commercials on the affected Apple Mac without the user’s consent. It is important, don’t click on these advertisements, as they can lead you to more harmful or misleading web sites. Adware software usually gets installed alongside free applications, codecs and shareware.
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your confidential information? DataSearchLauncher has the ability to gather your surfing history and privacy information, including passwords and credit card numbers. In the future, personal data about you can be sold to third parties.
As evident, the DataSearchLauncher adware is quite dangerous. So, we suggest you delete it from your computer immediately. Follow the guidance presented below to get rid of DataSearchLauncher ads from the Safari, Chrome and Firefox.
How does DataSearchLauncher get on your MAC system
Adware software usually come bundled with freeware which downloaded from the Web. Which means that you need to be proactive and carefully read the Terms of use and the License agreement properly. For the most part, adware and potentially unwanted applications will be clearly described, so take the time to carefully read all the information about the software that you downloaded and want to install on your MAC OS.
Threat Summary
| Name | DataSearchLauncher, Data Search Launcher 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop up virus, pop-ups, pop up advertisements |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | DataSearchLauncher removal guide |
How to Remove DataSearchLauncher adware
Not all undesired applications such as DataSearchLauncher adware are easily uninstallable. You might see pop ups, deals, text links, in-text ads, banners and other type of advertisements in the Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome and might not be able to figure out the application responsible for this activity. The reason for this is that many unwanted applications neither appear in the Finder. Therefore in order to fully remove DataSearchLauncher ads, you need to use the steps below. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to exit your web-browser or reboot your machine.
To remove DataSearchLauncher, use the steps below:
- Manual DataSearchLauncher removal
- Automatic Removal of DataSearchLauncher adware
- How to stay safe online
- To sum up
Manual DataSearchLauncher removal
Most adware can be deleted manually, without the use of antivirus software or other removal utilities. The manual steps below will show you how to remove DataSearchLauncher step by step. Although each of the steps is easy and does not require special knowledge, but you doubt that you can finish them, then use the free tools, a list of which is given below.
Delete potentially unwanted software using the Finder
One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware is to check your MAC installed programs screen and look for undesired and suspicious software. If there are any applications you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should remove them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to run adware removal utility such as MalwareBytes Free.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will display a list of all applications installed on your MAC system. Scroll through the all list, and remove any questionable and unknown software. Right click to questionable program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.
Get rid of DataSearchLauncher adware from Safari
By resetting Safari browser you revert back your internet browser settings to its default state. This is good initial when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by the DataSearchLauncher adware.
Run Safari browser. Next, choose Preferences from the Safari menu.
First, click the “Security” tab. Here, choose “Block pop-up windows”. It will stop some types of pop-ups.
Now, click the “Extensions” icon. Look for questionable plugins on left panel, select it, then press the “Uninstall” button. Most important to get rid of all dubious extensions from Safari.
Once complete, check your homepage and search engine settings. Click “General” icon. Make sure that the “Homepage” field contains the website you want or is empty.
Make sure that the “Search engine” setting shows your preferred search engine. In some versions of Safari, this setting is in the “Search” tab.
Get rid of DataSearchLauncher from Firefox
The Firefox reset will remove the DataSearchLauncher ads, modified preferences, extensions and security settings. However, your themes, bookmarks, history, passwords, and web form auto-fill information will not be deleted.
First, start the Mozilla Firefox and click 
button. It will open the drop-down menu on the right-part of the internet browser. Further, click the Help button (
) as shown in the following example.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown on the image below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will display the confirmation prompt. Further, press the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will begin a task to fix your problems that caused by the DataSearchLauncher adware. After, it is complete, press the “Finish” button.
Remove DataSearchLauncher adware from Google Chrome
Unwanted DataSearchLauncher ads or other symptom of having adware in your web browser is a good reason to reset Google Chrome. This is an easy way to recover the Chrome settings and not lose any important information.
Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will display the drop-down menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Google 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 on the screen below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.
Automatic Removal of DataSearchLauncher adware
Use malicious software removal utilities to get rid of the DataSearchLauncher adware software automatically. The free applications tools specially designed for browser hijackers, adware and other potentially unwanted programs removal. These tools may get rid of most of adware from Safari, Chrome and Firefox. Moreover, it can remove all components of adware software from Windows registry and system drives.
Automatically delete DataSearchLauncher adware with MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM)
Manual DataSearchLauncher adware 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 fully free your MAC system of adware. Moreover, this free tool will help you to remove hijacker infection, malicious software, PUPs and toolbars that your MAC can be infected too.
Download MalwareBytes by clicking on the link below.
20841 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once the downloading process is done, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the DataSearchLauncher adware. This procedure may take quite a while, so please be patient. During the scan MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will locate threats present on your Apple Mac. You may delete items (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Remove Selected Items” button.
The MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is a free application that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.
How to stay safe online
In order to increase your security and protect your MAC system against new undesired advertisements and malicious webpages, you need to use adblocker program that blocks an access to harmful ads and webpages. Moreover, the application can stop the display of intrusive advertising, that also leads to faster loading of web-pages and reduce the consumption of web traffic.
AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
Once the download is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you run your MAC, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted ads, block harmful or misleading web sites.
To sum up
Now your Apple Mac should be clean of the DataSearchLauncher adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popups and annoying malicious webpages) and MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new malicious software, browser hijackers and adware software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijacker infections, malicious apps and adware software are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to remove DataSearchLauncher ads from your web browser, then ask for help here.
