Cultsearch.pw (Simple Removal Guide) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Cultsearch.pw Removal Guide
What is Cultsearch.pw?
Cultsearch.pw – a browser hijacker which is developed to promote suspicious apps
Cultsearch.pw is considered to be a browser-hijacker[1] that appears on Mac computer systems only. The developers of this app are clearly partnering with MacKeeper authors to increase affiliate profits. If your system is infiltrated with a related potentially unwanted program, you should see changes to the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL – they will be set to the mentioned web address.
If you think that the start page is rather familiar, it is because it is visually identical to weknow.ac – another website that is widely used by various browser hijackers. When performing the search via a customized search engine, it will redirect the results to Yahoo.[2] While it is a legitimate search provider, it is often used by potentially unwanted programs, so if you have noticed sudden redirects to this provider, keep in mind that a PUP might have hijacked your web browsers.
| Name | Cultsearch.pw |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Targeted OS | macOS |
| Hijacked web browsers | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and others |
| Search results from | This rogue app provides search query results from Yahoo.com |
| Main signs | Hijacked search engine and homepage, redirects to ad-filled pages |
| Removal | You can delete potentially unwanted programs by following our guide below |
| Further steps | After PUP elimination, it is recommended to clean your web browsers – we recommend using FortectIntego to do that automatically |
Cultsearch.pw might take you to odd-looking websites which also are promoted by third-party sponsors. Here you might be tricked to download and install some program for a particular cost. In some cases, secondary websites might be infected with malicious payload as cybercriminals find these pages easy to infect due to the lack of protection in them.
If you are infected with the browser-hijacking application, you will spot several changes on your Mac computer. First of all, some of your web browsers might get hijacked. The unwanted app is able to change the default search engine and set it to its own. Additionally, the PUP modifies the homepage and new tab URL zone also.
Furthermore, once the browser settings are altered, you will not be able to browse via your original search provider as these changes need to be removed first. This might harden your browsing process as the rogue app will start providing search results from Yahoo, redirecting to other pages, and even showing rogue notifications.
Another even less pleasant feature that potentially unwanted programs conduct data collection. The browser hijacker possibly is capable of gathering information about your browsing techniques and habits. This type of data might include:
- IP address
- saved bookmarks
- commonly visited web pages
- links clicked
- ads interacted with, etc.
We suggest performing the Cultsearch.pw removal from your Mac computer system. You can use the below-provided step-by-step guide to eliminate the browser hijacker from the machine and web browser applications. However, do not deny the option of anti-malware help. Use SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or another reputable tool to scan the entire system and find all locations in which suspicious content is hiding.
If you want to bring your web browsers back to their previous states and stop the annoying redirecting, advertising activities, you definitely need to remove the browser hijacker. To complete this process, do not forget to clean your web browsers with FortectIntego or by following the manual guide below.
PUP delivery methods
If you are a frequent surfer on the Internet, you always risk getting a certain type of infection on your computer system. However, if you take specific measures, you might decrease such risk to the minimum level. According to technology professionals from LosVirus.es,[3] the key to cybersecurity is mostly always the user's own cautiousness.
It is very important to be careful while entering different websites and clicking on certain types of links. Third-party networks are very likely to distribute browser hijackers and similar PUPs. Developers usually inject the rogue payload into hyperlinks of even pop-up notifications. So, be aware of such questionable content while browsing.
Another very popular technique is called “bundling”. This happens when the rogue program comes together in a regular software package and appears on the system during the installation process. It usually is a result of the user skipping downloading/installing steps or using Quick/Recommended modes for the installing.
A piece of advice would be to opt for the Custom or Advanced installation technique only. Here you can track and control all incoming downloads what you cannot say about the Quick configuration modes. For further protection, install antivirus software as this type of program is capable of preventing rogue content from entering computer systems.
Cultsearch.pw browser-hijacking program removal
You can get rid of the cyber threat by performing two different methods. The first one requires some skills in order to correctly perform the PUP removal from Mac. In this case, you are the only one responsible for cleaning the entire computer system and wiping out suspicious content from affected web browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari.
Cultsearch.pw removal is safer to carry out by using reputable anti-malware tools. These programs are a very big help for users lacking important skills in the virus elimination field or just do not trust their capabilities with technologies. Additionally, anti-malware software[4] is also very efficient and comfortable to use as it does not require a lot of the user's effort and will make sure that the job is still done in high quality.
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.
Getting rid of Cultsearch.pw. Follow these steps
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- 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.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- 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:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
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 Cultsearch.pw 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 browser hijacker
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
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- ^ Margaret Rouse. Browser hijacker (browser hijacking). Search Security. Tech Taget.
- ^ Yahoo!. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ LosVirus.es. LosVirus.es. Virus removal guide and worldwide technology information.
- ^ Forrest Straud. Anti-Malware. Webopedia. Technology terms and definitions.