CreativeSearch (Removal Guide) - Free Instructions

CreativeSearch Removal Guide

What is CreativeSearch?

CreativeSearch – Mac virus that might inject other malicious apps on your system

CreativeSearchCreativeSearch is a potentially unwanted program that closely resembles malware

CreativeSearch is a potentiality unwanted application that changes web browser settings of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another web browser and starts delivering unwanted advertisements. This app typically targets Mac users, although it does not mean that Windows PC cannot be affected as well, as the it is typically spread via software bundle packages and Fake Flash Player update prompts.

Once installed, the CreativeSearch virus changes the search engine to Safe Finder or another customized search tool and appends a new homepage as well. As a result, users have to search the web via a hijacked browser, which changes what type of websites they visit, as search results are always filled with sponsored links. While CreativeSearch hijacks web browsers, it also possesses some adware[1] qualities, as it delivers intrusive ads and tracks users' web browsing activities for marketing purposes.

Name CreativeSearch
Type Browser hijacker, adware, Mac virus
Family This potentially unwanted application belongs to Adload malware family
Infiltration These type of potentially unwanted apps spread via deceptive methods, such as software bundle packages acquired from third-party websites or fake Flash Player update prompts
Danger level Medium to high. Since this application uses a built-in script to install apps without permission in the background, it can install malware such as CrescentCore or Shlayer Trojan, resulting in further infections
Risks Due to infection, users might be directed to spoofing, scam, or other malicious websites where they would be prompted to install other potentially unwanted or malicious applications, disclose their sensitive data such as credit card details, suffer from financial losses and even be affected by identity theft/fraud
Elimination To get rid of CreativeSearch, as well as its secondary payloads, you should scan your Mac with powerful security software, such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
Optimization In case your machine is still running slow after malware termination, you should employ tools like FortectIntego to fix such issues for you

CreativeSearch is a potentially malicious application that belongs to the Adload malware campaign and is a new addition to such threats like StudyGeneral, MainReady, DataQuest, and many others. This PUP family is relatively aggressive and can be considered as malware in some cases, as it makes use of AppleScript function in order to install apps without permission. Therefore, it is not uncommon for users infected with the CreativeSearch virus to see the activity of unknown software on their computers.

Just like malware, CreativeSearch is usually distributed via deceptive ways, and usually gets installed on macOS after users download freeware from insecure third-party websites or when they get tricked by fake Adobe Flash Player update prompt. These fake alerts can be encountered on a variety of websites, although those who are already infected with adware are more likely to land on a fake update or another scam message page.

However, this is not the only symptom of CreativeSearch infection exhibits – you can also encounter the following:

  • Unknown extensions or add-ons installed on the web browser;
  • Redirects deliver deceptive and malicious advertisements;
  • All visited websites are filled with pop-ups, deals, offers, promotions, coupons, and other intrusive ads;
  • Homepage and new tab address is set to Safe Finder or another rogue search engine;
  • Hundreds of unknown files reside on various parts of the machine;
  • Browser extension termination becomes impossible;
  • Unknown profiles established on the computer, etc.

Besides showing typical symptoms of the browser, search, and computer hijacking, CreativeSearch removal can also be hindered due to its persistence mechanisms. For example, the virus might establish new profiles or add entries to LaunchAgents, Application Support, and other folders.

Besides, a browser extension is typically installed with elevated privileges, which could result in “Managed by your organization” prompt. Here's the description of the CreativeSearch or another malicious add-on installed on the web browser:

CreativeSearch 1.0

Permissions for “CreativeSearch”:

Webpage contents
Can read sensitive information from webpages, including passwords, phone numbers, and credit cards on all webpages

Browsing history
Can see when you visit all webpages

As you can see, the presence of potentially unwanted apps like CreativeSearch can result in the sensitive data leak, which is highly likely to be delivered to cybercriminals. If sold on the dark web, such information might cause monetary losses or even identity theft/fraud.

CreativeSearch virusCreativeSearch is a malicious app that is typically spread via fake Flash Player update prompts

Unfortunately, dragging the suspicious app to Trash can hardly help you remove CreativeSearch and other malicious apps from your system. For this purpose, we advise using reputable anti-malware software and performing a full system scan. This way, all the malicious and hidden components will be deleted automatically.

Besides, due to the hijacker's ability to download and install applications without permissions, users might also be infected with other Mac viruses that could cause significant damages, such as monetary losses, identity theft, sensitive data leak to cybercriminals, and much more.

Many users also noticed that their web browsers, as well as the computer, started to operate slowly after the CreativeSearch virus infection. This issue can also be fixed by uninstalling all the malicious apps. However, if issues continue, we recommend scanning your Mac device with FortectIntego. Additionally, if you are unable to terminate browser extensions, you should reset web browsers as explained below.

Potentially unwanted programs use deception to access your Mac

Macs are generally considered much safer machines than Windows PCs, as the former have built-in defenses such as Xprotect. However, according to security researchers, Mac malware outpaced Windows malware in 2019 by volume,[2] so users should not believe that Macs are immune to infections – especially adware.

Possibly the biggest problem to Macs is fake Flash Player updates. While the plugin is outdated, full of security vulnerabilities[3], and has been almost fully replaced by HTML 5 and similar technologies, it is so embedded in users' minds as the only way to play multimedia online, that they still believe that it is much-needed software. Of course, cybercriminals are here to abuse this fact, and they often use social engineering for that.

Phishing messages are often placed on various malicious websites, and well-known attributes like the Flash logo are often used. Once users access this site, they can see a prompt asking them to download and install the latest version of Flash, allegedly to view the content of the website. However, what they usually download is adware or even malware, and, by accepting its installation, users allow the malicious app to take over the computer. Thus, never download the alleged updates via the pop-up messages on suspicious websites.

Additionally, you should not download apps from third-party sources in the first place. By default, Mac will ask you to enter your username and password – this a security measure to prevent unauthorized installation. However, if credentials are provided, malware can populate its files and settings without interruptions. Therefore, download apps from App Store or similar legitimate sources only.

Ways to eliminate CreativeSearch from your machine

While we do not recommend manual CreativeSearch removal, you can still try performing it if you wish so. However, dragging the app to Trash will not suffice, as it has multiple malicious entries within the system. First of all, you should check for malicious profiles by clicking on Preferences and then selecting Users&Groups > Profiles. Once there, delete all the profiles that you do not recognize.

CreativeSearch profileTo eliminate CreativeSearch, get rid of the established profile and other components

After that, you should locate and delete the following files on your system to get rid of CreativeSearch virus:

~/Library/Application Support/com.CreativeSearch/CreativeSearch
~/Library/Application Support/com.CreativeSearchDaemon/CreativeSearch
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.CreativeSearch.plist
~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.CreativeSearchDaemon.plist

However, we highly suggest you instead remove CreativeSearch with the help of reputable anti-malware software, as it can automatically eliminate all the malicious files for you. Besides, due to PUP functionality, it is advisable to check for other malicious programs that may have been installed on your system. Finally, if you still see unwanted extensions on your web browser, reset it as per instructions below.

You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

Offer
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Fortect Happiness
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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of CreativeSearch. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

To get rid of CreativeSearch on macOS, follow these instructions:

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove. Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Reset Google Chrome if you cannot uninstall some extensions in a regular way:

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data. Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of CreativeSearch registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

How to prevent from getting adware

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are

There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.

Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.

Data backups are important – recover your lost files

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.

While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

About the author
Ugnius Kiguolis
Ugnius Kiguolis - The mastermind

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