What is NeedWebSearch?

NeedWebSearch is disguised as a helpful search extension for Mac users. It claims to improve the search experience of users that providing useful results. But, this app is nothing more than a potentially unwanted program that is similar to Prontoapp, Any Search, ProdigySearch, and OutputData so on. As these applications are only aimed to display intrusive advertisements within the searches performed. The ads displayed are causes unwanted redirect to questionable sites that consequently leads to fake downloads, accidental clicks and poor browsing performance. Along with that, NeedWebSearch tracks data related to browsing habits which are used for running advertising campaigns. Thus, users are advised to quickly uninstall this dubious search application as soon as possible.

How NeedWebSearch Gets inside the computer?

Most of the time users get Potentially Unwanted Applications like NeedWebSearch installed unintentionally. As they are freely distributed along with software bundling methods. It means some software programs are bundled up with additional programs within the installation package. Thus, users can install them while going through the installation procedure in a hurry. To avoid such situations, users must opt for custom installation option to avoid installing additional non-required programs. can be unintentionally installed together with other software. Secondly users may get them while searching for any extension and they may stumbleupon to the official websites of such applications which appears legitimate and shows very useful functionality. But as said earlier they are ad-supported program aims to distribute ads of various forms like paid ads, banners, coupons, pop-ups, sponsored contents and surveys so on.

How Does NeedWebSearch Affects the Browsing?

Once NeedWebSearch is installed on the computer, it changes the browser as well system settings. Like it changes the default search engine, homepage settings and new tab preferences. This is done to place advertisements within the searches performed, visited websites and also when you least expect them.

Ads by NeedWebSearch may not be directly harmful, but it does interfere with the surfing and restricts users from browsing freely. Sometimes the ads also overlap the contents on the visited pages that runs scripts within the background, which when clicked may cause redirects to harmful sites. These sites may some fake download links, tech scam pages that claims the Mac is infected and users need to download the suggested program or some survey to claim a prize. As a consequence, users may end up downloading malicious programs, get involved in some scams and lose their money or data. They also may download and install other adware and browser hijackers programs like SearchMine, Searchbaron.com, Search.anysearch.net and so on.

These adware are designed to constantly monitor the browsing habits of users and track the data being fed to the websites, search keywords and visited pages. These data are shared with third-party which may even be some cybercriminals that can mislead the data for illicit purposes. NeedWebSearch can risk the private data, interfere with browsing and degrades the system performance. Thus to safeguard the privacy of users, users need to isolate the unwanted background applications running and remove all deceptive extensions and browser hijacker programs.

How to Remove NeedWebSearch From Mac?

Worst thing about NeedWebSearch is that it does not go away easily as they do various changes to the system settings which is nearly impossible to detect and remove. Thus, even if you reset your browser or uninstall any unknown program, it can still appear again and again. Presence of such Adware can risks the privacy as they aim to collect individual’s data related to browsing, system information and so on. Thus, you need to opt for powerful removal tool to drive away NeedWebSearch and its associated programs from your Mac.

Special Offer
“NeedWebSearch” may reinstall itself multiple times if you don’t delete its core files. We recommend downloading Combo Cleaner to scan for malicious programs. This may save your precious time and effort.
Download Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware For Mac
More information on Combo CleanerEULA,and Privacy Policy. Combo Cleaner scans the infected PC for free but you need to purchase its full version for complete removal.
Mac OS: Use Anti-Malware To Scan And Remove NeedWebSearch virus (Recommended)

Combo Cleaner is a complete security suite for Mac OS that is developed by “RCS LT” company. This program is featured with anti-virus scanner and system optimization tools like disk cleaner, duplicate files finder, application uninstaller, privacy scanner, and 24*7 customer support service.

Rather than being just a traditional anti-virus or a system optimizer, this single program takes a different approach that eases the user from using a different application to keep their MAC OS protected and optimized.

It is very important to have a reliable anti-virus solution for the computer system. Combo cleaner is one of the best options for MAC users as detects and eliminates all sorts of threats like adware, browser hijacker, Trojans, and other malware. It is a light-themed, easy-to-use interface and keeps updating its threat database hourly to instant detect and remove any sort of malware. Thus ensuring not any malicious stuff is behind within the system.

How to Install and Scan with Combo Cleaner

  • Click the above button to Download the “Combo Cleaner”;
  • Once the download completes, double-click on the downloaded file;
  • After the window opens, drag the Combo Cleaner program icon and drop into your “Applications folder” icon.
    Combo Cleaner Install Step 2

    Combo Cleaner Install Step 2

  • Now, open your “Launchpad” and click on the “Combo Cleaner” icon.
    Combo Cleaner Install Step 3

    Combo Cleaner Install Step 3

  • This will start the combo cleaner installation and updates its latest virus definition. Once done, Combo cleaner will launch;
    Combo Cleaner Dashboard

    Combo Cleaner Dashboard

  • Click on “Antivirus” tab and choose the scan options like Quick, Full, and custom. (Full is recommended for the first time)
    Start Scan For NeedWebSearch virus

    Start Scan For NeedWebSearch virus

  • Let the scan be completed and it will list all the threat found. Now, click on “Remove All Threats”;
    Scan Result Shows Program associated with NeedWebSearch virus

    Scan Result Shows Program associated with NeedWebSearch virus

  • After removing the threats, click on the “uninstaller” to find and remove any unwanted programs. Select the program from the list and its related files and then click on “Remove Selected Items
Remove NeedWebSearch virus

Remove NeedWebSearch virus

download-for-mac

If you still have the second thought about this anti-malware, then you may want to check out our review article about Combo Cleaner.

Mac OS: Manually Find And Remove NeedWebSearch virus ( Not Recommended)

If you are going for the manual removal process, then we recommend you to print/download these instructions or open it from another uninfected computer or laptop and follow step-by-step manual removal instruction. Mac OS PDF Guide

Step 1. Ending Process Running Under The “Activity Monitor”

  1. Type “Activity Monitor” in the Launchpad to open it;
    Launchpad-1.1.1

    Launchpad-1.1.1

    Activity Minor - 1.1.2

    Activity Minor – 1.1.2

  2. Scroll through the list of running apps, look for the suspicious ones that appear unknown to you or taking huge CPU resources.
  3. Use the [x] button to quit the process.
    Force Stop -1.2 and 1.3

    Force Stop -1.2 and 1.3

Step 2. Remove NeedWebSearch virus Malicious Apps From Mac OS

  1. Open “Finder” by clicking on the Finder application on your dock.
    Finder - 2.1

    Finder – 2.1

  2. In the left pane of the Finder, click on “Applications“.
    Applications - 2.2

    Applications – 2.2

  3. Next, you need to locate the NeedWebSearch virus Adware/suspicious apps and remove them. The “Applications” window will display the list of all apps installed on your Mac OS.
    Step - 2.3

    Step – 2.3

  4. Now, you need to go through the list to find out the NeedWebSearch virus and other suspicious/malicious or infectious app, select it then right click and then select “Move to Trash”. (Repeat this step until you remove all such apps).
    Move to Trash - 2.4

    Move to Trash – 2.4

  5. Now you need to empty the trash as sometimes program can restore themselves from the trash. On your dock, right-click on the trash icon and then select “Empty Trash”.
    Step - 2.5.1

    Step – 2.5.1

    Step 2.5.2

    Step 2.5.2

NOTE: if something looks suspicious to you but you are not sure of that, search the web to find out more about that app.

Step 3. Remove NeedWebSearch virus Apps From Auto-Startup

Generally, malicious programs, Adware and spyware add themselves to the boot process to launch automatically whenever the device boots. So, you need to find such apps and remove from the startups.

  1. Open Apple menu ? System Preferences
    Step - 3.1

    Step – 3.1

  2. Now, choose “Users & Groups” section
    Step - 3.2

    Step – 3.2

  3. Select your username from the left pane;
    Step - 3.3

    Step – 3.3

  4. A list will appear showing login items; check the list and use “” sign to disable NeedWebSearch virus or other suspicious/unwanted apps you see. Close the screen.
    Step - 3.4

    Step – 3.4

  5. Next step, from the top menu, choose Go ? Go to Folder, then type /Users/Shared/ within the search box. In the “Sharedfolder”, you need to delete the “Similar” files and folders.
    Step - 3.5.1

    Step – 3.5.1

    Step - 3.5.2

    Step – 3.5.2

    Step - 3.5.3

    Step – 3.5.3

  6. Now Restart your Mac to make the changes into effect.
    Step - 3.6

    Step – 3.6

Step 4. Remove NeedWebSearch virus Daemons And Agents From Mac’s Startup

  1. From top menu ? Choose Go ? Go to Folder
    Step - 4.1

    Step – 4.1

  2. Type in “/Library/LaunchDaemons”, within this location you will see lots of files with .plist extension. Scroll through it and find the ones which appear to be suspicious and delete them.
    Step - 4.2.1

    Step – 4.2.1

    Step - 4.2.2

    Step – 4.2.2

  3. Do the same for other launching agents locations:
      1. /Library/LaunchAgents
      2. ~/Library/LaunchAgents

    For example: an adware named Vsearch, you may get launching agent as :
    /Library/LaunchAgents/com.vsearch.agent.plist
    ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.vsearch.agent.plist
    Don’t forget to empty the trash and then restart the computer.

    Step - 4.3.1

    Step – 4.3.1

    Step - 4.3.2

    Step – 4.3.2

  4. After restart, again repeat step 1-2 and type in: /System/Library/Frameworks/ (look for the malicious file with .framework extension like /System/Library/Frameworks/VSearch.framework)
    Step 4.4.1

    Step 4.4.1

    Step - 4.4.2

    Step – 4.4.2

  5. Put the file to trash, if you find one with a malicious name.
  6. Similarly, do more searches within the location:
    • /Library/Application Support/
    • /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/
      Step - 4.6.1

      Step – 4.6.1

      Step - 4.6.2

      Step – 4.6.2

      Step - 4.6.3

      Step – 4.6.3

      Step - 4.6.4

      Step – 4.6.4

  7. Put them to trash and again empty the trash and restart the computer.
    Step- 4.7.1

    Step- 4.7.1

    Step - 4.7.2

    Step – 4.7.2

    Step - 4.7.3

    Step – 4.7.3

Step 5. Uninstall NeedWebSearch virus Or Unwanted/Suspicious Extensions From Browsers

Reset Safari Browser Guide

Follow the steps to remove unwanted and suspicious extensions from the Safari browser:

  • On the Safari browser, click the “Safari” menu then select “Preferences”.
    Reset Mac Chrome Step-1

    Reset Mac Safari Step-1

  • On the General tab of the Safari preferences, check for any unknown URL added as the default homepage, Within the “Homepage” field enter your preferred URL as your default start-page of the browser.
    Reset Mac Chrome Step-2

    Reset Mac Safari Step-2

  • Next, you need to check for malicious extensions, click on the “Extensions” tab on the same window.
  • Extensions” screen will list all the extensions installed on your safari browser, you need to browse through the list and uninstall the ones which appear to be Adware. If you find a malicious extension select it and then click on “Uninstall”. Repeat the steps to remove all unwanted extensions.
    Reset Mac Safari Step-3

    Reset Mac Safari Step-3

  • Close the Safari browser.
Reset Chrome Browser Guide

To check for unknown extensions installed:

  1. Click on Chrome Menu(three vertical dots at top-right corner) ? Select “Settings” ? Choose “Extensions”.
    Remove Chrome Extensions 1

    Remove Chrome Extensions 1

  2. Scroll through the list of extensions installed on the Chrome browser, if any one of them appears to malicious then click on the “trash” icon next to it. This will remove the extension.
    Remove Chrome Extensions 2

    Remove Chrome Extensions 2

  3. Repeat the step until you are sure of the ones you like to keep.

To Reset The Browser:

Next, you need to reset the default settings like search engines, startup, and new tabs. It is better to use the default reset feature of the Google Chrome which will reset all the unwanted modifications done by third-party programs. Don’t worry you will not lose your saved passwords and bookmarks. However, it will delete cookies, extensions, startups, URLs, homepage and new tabs preferences.

  • Click on Chrome’s main menu then choose “Settings“.
    Reset Browser Chrome 1

    Reset Browser Chrome 1

  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Advanced”.
    Reset Browser Chrome 2

    Reset Browser Chrome 2

  • Under the Advanced page, go for “Reset and clean up” section, then click on “Reset settings to their original defaults”.
    Reset Browser Chrome 3

    Reset Browser Chrome 3

  • Next, click on “Reset”, you will be prompted for a confirmation This will reset your startup page, a new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared”
  • Click on the “Reset Settings” button to confirm the procedure.
    Reset Browser Chrome 4

    Reset Browser Chrome 4

  • After that, it may ask to restart your browser, click “Yes”.

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