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Spyware News
  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Apr 2021

How to remove Genieo Search

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Jake Doevan · Computer technology expert

Genieo Search – a fake search tool that specializes in showing Mac users sponsored content for profit

Genieo search engine

Genieo Search, also known as Go.searchgenieo.com, is a potentially unwanted program, which can start pushing sponsored content via Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or other web browsers out of nowhere. It is part of Genieo adware[1], which is also known as „content recommendation“ software.

Initially not considered malicious, Genieo Search was seen being installed on thousands of users' Macs via software bundle packages and then modifying browsers' homepage, URL bar, and default search engine without asking for the users' permission. However, as the time went by, new versions of Genieo Search virus were seen intercepting macOS' Keychain, which grants access to users sensitive data, such as credit card details, usernames, passwords, etc.[2]

Genieo Search deception does not finish there, however, as it is also known to be distributed via fake Flash Player updates, and is also often offered via various shady software installers that use deception in order to make users install the browser-hijacking application on Macs.

Name Genio Search
Homepage Go.searchgenieo.com
Type Adware, browser hijacker
Targeted systems macOS
Release date 2013
Propagation Users install the potentially unwanted program unintentionally – they are often tricked by a fake Flash Player update. Malware was also found being presented as a codec needed to view various videos on Macs. Finally, software bundling is also often used to distribute Genio on third-party websites like Softonic
SYMPTOMS  Installs an extension on the browser, displays ads on all visited sites, sets search.genieo.com as a homepage and new tab and redirects all searches to Yahoo, promotes potentially dangerous software
Risks Installation of other potentially unwanted applications, malware infection, sensitive data disclosure to malicious parties (cybercriminals), money loss, identity fraud, etc.
Removal  You can get rid of the PUP automatically by using anti-malware software or by following manual removal guide below
optimization Scan your macOS with FortectIntego to optimize it

For a long time, Genieo virus started bothering Mac users,[3], and soon was included in Apple’s XProtect anti-malware services database – listed as malware – and rightfully so. A potentially unwanted application that can gain access to most private user data is malicious and should be terminated as soon as possible.

Once installed, Genieo Search changes the infected browser's homepage setting it to search.genieo.com and adds this search site as the main search provider. While the PUP sets a customized search engine, it redirects all searches to Yahoo, although it diverts users to non-organic search results, i.e., top links are sponsored ads that benefit Genieo Search financially as long as users click on them. This behavior can only be stopped by terminating the PUP.

Nevertheless, such browser-hijacking apps[4] can redirect you not only to developer-promoted pages but also to potentially dangerous ones. In order to avoid such unwanted consequences, you need to remove Genio Search virus from your computer system permanently and get rid of all PUP-added content from your affected web browsers.

Genieo Search

Finally, it is known that Genieo Search may start collecting information about people's browsing habits and accumulate information about their search terms, most visited websites, time that they spend there, data that they enter, saved bookmarks, pictures, and videos viewed, IPs, etc. If you don't want to run into privacy-related issues, you should be very careful with that.

If you never intended to install Genieo Search on your computer, you should follow a guide that is given below and get rid of this browser hijacker. Of course, the easiest way to do this is to run a full system scan with updated anti-malware, although you can also perform a full Genieo Search removal manually by following our guide below.

Additionally, we highly recommend scanning the machine with FortectIntego for the best results, as well as resetting all the installed browsers.

Genieo virus

Everything you need to know about Genieo on Mac

Genieo on Mac is a potentially unwanted program that can arrive in tandem with another application or be installed after clicking on an Internet ad promoting it. Once installed, it drops a bunch of files onto Mac OS to set itself up and remain on the computer as long as it is possible. DieViren.de experts[5] advise removing this unwanted application from Mac as soon as possible, although it can seem like a challenging task at first.

Mac users have been complaining about ads, redirects, altered search settings and other problems caused by Genieo Search virus. Despite being non-malicious, this browser hijacker-related software tracks the user at all times and keeps delivering even more Internet ads daily. Besides, users have noticed that Genieo keeps coming back even after removing its components from the system.

If you have been experiencing problems when trying to remove Genieo from Mac, please read the full instructions on how to do it properly. We have added the directions right below this article and also provided informative screenshots to help you locate and delete Genieo-related files from OS X.

Strategies used for promotion of suspicious programs

According to IT experts, various potentially unwanted programs such as browser-hijacking apps are promoted by spreading them through suspicious websites. Third-party websites often might include unwanted content in a form of a link which, once clicked, might relate in a secret installation of the potentially unwanted application. To avoid such risk, stay away from all questionable web pages.

Furthermore, browser hijackers are very likely to be spread via a deceptive marketing technique called “bundling”[6]. Such PUPs and all their components come included together with regular software that users download from the Internet. You can avoid such secret installation if you choose the Custom/Advanced installation mode over the Quick/Recommended one. Here you will be able to control all incoming downloads and opt-out the unwanted ones.

Remove Genieo Search from Mac or Windows

Genieo Search hijacker

Complaints shared by affected computer users prove that it can be tough to remove Genieo Search virus from Mac or Windows. The browser-hijacking application leaves a variety of files on the system and tries to stay undetected. Typically, users identify the issue causing browser redirects and ads only after running a security software on the affected computer.

Therefore, if your security software detected PUP.Genieo or a similar entry on your system, make sure you wipe the suspicious files using an anti-spyware or anti-malware program. You can use a computer security application from our suggested list or feel free to perform the elimination by using any program of your own.

You can also try to perform Genieo Search removal manually – here are the files you need to delete from your system after making sure that the app is not running the in the background via the Activity Monitor:

  • /Applications/Genieo
  • /Applications/InstallMac
  • /Applications/Uninstall Genieo
  • /Applications/Uninstall IM Completer.app
  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.genieoinnovation.Installer/
  • ~/Library/Application Support/Genieo/
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.download.plist
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.update.plist
  • /Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.plist
  • /Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.engine.plist
  • /Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.update.plist
  • /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client.plist
  • /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client
  • /usr/lib/libgenkit.dylib
  • /usr/lib/libgenkitsa.dylib
  • /usr/lib/libimckit.dylib
  • /usr/lib/libimckitsa.dylib

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

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 the unwanted extension 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 Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

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 and Temporary cached files and pages, then click 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

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 suspicious extensions 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 dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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