How to remove Spotlight from Mac?
What is Spotlight?
Spotlight (or Spotlight.app) is a rogue application designed to promote the searchbaron.com website. Unlike other browser-hijacking applications, Spotlight does not modify any system/browser settings - it simply redirects users to searchbaron.com whenever they enter a search query.
Spotlight stealthily runs in the system background and waits for regular users to enter a search query into the browser. Once a query is detected, Spotlight causes a chain of redirects. This app uses the Amazon AWS service to redirect users to searchbaron.com, which, in turn, redirects them to bing.com. These redirects may seem harmless, since users merely end up searching via Bing (a legitimate search engine), however, they significantly diminish the browsing experience. Furthermore, search queries and other information (such as visitor's IP address, geolocation, etc.) is probably also recorded. Therefore, the presence of the Spotlight application might lead to various privacy issues. Furthermore, removing the Spotlight application is a complicated process, since deleting its files without first terminating the associated process is impossible (the process is automatically re-started when the user terminates it). Therefore, to eliminate this rogue application, follow the steps below. As an alternative, you can use the Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite, which will remove this malware automatically.
| Name | Spotlight.app malware |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:MaxOfferDeal-L [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Genieo.WS), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.MaxOfferDeal.L), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Geonei.ax), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are hundreds of potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that promote various rogue websites (typically, fake search engines). MacAppExtensions, Coloring Hero, and ProntoApp are just some examples from many. These applications offer 'useful features', however, these PUAs have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Claims to provide 'useful functions' are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy and trick users to install. Following infiltration, rogue apps provide no real value for regular users. They simply cause unwanted redirects and gather data, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a threat to your privacy and computer safety.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Spotlight for Office allows users to build presentations once, and refresh the data in those presentations as often as needed, automatically. Spotlight helps users save hundreds of hours on data preparation while eliminating errors. Knowing that the data is up to date and using familiar Office tools, users can present with confidence. Get MacOS like Spotlight on your Linux Ubuntu, Linux Mint or other Linux distros as an alternative in the forms of Synapse. Mac OS is everybody’s favorite, and there are several reasons behind it. One of the most useful utilities you can find on Mac OS is Spotlight, which makes searching for things a piece of cake, all directly from the desktop. On a Mac, a system-wide search and launch feature called Spotlight is only a shortcut away with Command+Space. Thanks to PowerToys, Windows 10 can have a similar search and run bar as well when you hit Alt+Space.
Apps such as Spotlight are typically distributed using intrusive advertisements, the 'bundling' method, and fake software updaters/installers. Intrusive ads (often delivered by adware-type apps) usually redirect to dubious websites or simply execute scripts designed to download/install unwanted applications. 'Bundling' is stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software. Developers hide 'bundled' apps behind 'Custom/Advanced' settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Fake updaters/installers are often promoted using deceptive websites claiming that the visitor's software (e.g., Adobe Flash Player) is outdated/missing, and encourages them to update/install it. In fact, rather than installing/updating the software, these tools inject malware into the system. In summary, the main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge of these threats and careless behavior.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, be very cautious during the download/installation processes and when browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. Opt-out of additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. Avoid using third party downloaders/installers/updaters, since they often include rogue apps or simply download malware rather than software. Download programs from official sources only, preferably using direct download links. Additionally, remember that intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, however, once clicked, they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and similar). If you encounter these ads/redirects frequently, remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins immediately. The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of Spotlight application causing redirects to searchbaron.com (GIF):
Fake pop-up error displayed by the Spotlight application:
IMPORTANT NOTE! As mentioned above, removing Spotlight application is a rather complicated process, since deleting this application without first terminating the associated process is impossible. This is due to the process being automatically re-started immediately it is terminated. Therefore, to remove this application, you must perform the following steps:
1) Navigate to the '/Users/Test/Library/Application Support/.Spotlight' directory, right-click on the 'Spotlight.app' application, and select 'Show Package Contents'.
2) Navigate to the 'Contents/MacOS' directory and delete the 'Spotlight' application.
3) Once the previous steps are performed, the process pertaining to the Spotlight application will no longer be automatically re-started and you will able to easily terminate it and remove the remaining application files.
4) After removing the Spotlight application, you must navigate to the '/Users/Test/Library/Application Support' directory and enable the display of hidden directories. Then, search for a directory with a dubious name (e.g., '.helper', '.dir' or similar), which contains an application called 'Finder'. Once located, this entire directory must be deleted. Note that MacOS actually has a genuine Finder application. Yet, the malicious one has a completely different icon (typically, a Terminal logo) - criminals simply use this name as a disguise.
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for MacBy downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove Spotlight adware using Combo Cleaner:
Potentially unwanted applications removal:
Remove potentially unwanted applications from your 'Applications' folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select 'Applications'. In the applications folder, look for 'MPlayerX','NicePlayer', or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Remove spotlight.app malware related files and folders:
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/Application Support
In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons
In the “LaunchDaemons” folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”, 'com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure your system is not infected run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file double click combocleaner.dmg installer, in the opened window drag and drop Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates it's virus definition database and click 'Start Combo Scan' button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays 'no threats found' - this means that you can continue with the removal guide, otherwise it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Spotlight.app malware removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove spotlight.app malware related Safari extensions:
Open Safari browser, from the menu bar, select 'Safari' and click 'Preferences...'.
In the preferences window, select 'Extensions' and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the 'Uninstall' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove spotlight.app malware related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the 'Open Menu' (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose 'Add-ons'.
Choose the 'Extensions' tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Remove' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove spotlight.app malware related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the 'Chrome menu' (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose 'More Tools' and select 'Extensions'.
In the 'Extensions' window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Trash' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
RSS Feed RSS Feed (free software only)13 applications totalLast updated: Apr 20th 2012, 08:03 GMT
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Enables Spotlight search of WP files.
QuarkXpress Spotlight Plugin 1.0
Search within QuarkXPress documents using SpotLight
Spotlight Importer Collection 0.1
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Free collection of Spotlight importers for log files and for property lists/configuration files
Spotlaser 1.3.4
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Ziplight 1.3
Lets you search inside zip files quickly and easily.
SmartComments 1.5
A small software tool that enables you to modify Spotlight Comments
Spotlight Filter 2.0
Spotlight Filter for Quark 7 (3-5 textsearch only) documents
NeoLight 1.1.5
NeoLight - Allows Spotlight to index NeoOffice and OpenOffice docs
Ninjar 1.0
Ninjar is a Spotlight importer that allows OS X to index the content of .jar (Java Archive) files.
Mellel Spotlight Plugin 1.6.5
Mellel Spotlight Plugin - Makes Mellel documents searchable
Google Importer 1.0.1
Enhances Spotlight searches with Google results
Python Metadata Importer 1.0.6
Python Metadata Importer - Spotlight plug-in imports Python scripts
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