DataSearchLauncher Adware - How to remove

DataSearchLauncher is adware. Mostly, DataSearchLauncher affects web browsers: it injects ads, changes how internet search works, logs the user’s browsing history and search terms. It can also change what sites links open and it edits URLs to commit a bit of advertising fraud. Overall, DataSearchLauncher is not super dangerous, but it is very annoying. It is also tricky to delete, but you can do it with some care and patience.

About DataSearchLauncher:

Classification	Adware.
Removing DataSearchLauncher	Find and remove malware with anti-malware apps like Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, others, delete DataSearchLauncher and related files, apps, browser extensions, and settings.
How DataSearchLauncher was installed	Bundled with free apps, fake updates, and infected installers, made available to download for free, installs DataSearchLauncher and other malware without warning the user.
Problems caused by adware	Malicious sites opening in the browser, links redirecting to random promoted sites, spyware logging user data, such as the search history.

How to get rid of DataSearchLauncher

Delete DataSearchLauncher

The quickest and easiest way to get rid of DataSearchLauncher is to use an anti-malware app, such as Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, and other apps. They can find and remove malicious files associated with DataSearchLauncher and related adware.

You might need to start your Mac in safe mode. Whether you have an anti-malware app delete DataSearchLauncher for you, or you’re removing it manually – safe mode is good because it stops unnecessary software (including DataSearchLauncher) from starting up.

If you want to try and delete DataSearchLauncher manually, do this:

• Open Finder > Go -> Computer.
• In the search box, type “DataSearchLauncher”.
• Delete the files that come up.

You can also navigate to the Library/LaunchDaemons, /Library/LaunchAgents, ~/Library/Application Support, and other folders through the Go to Folder dialog and look for suspicious files there. Look for files whose modification date matches DataSearchLauncher. Examine each file and delete those that are suspicious. Leave others because your legitimate apps use these folders to keep important settings in.

Restore settings

If there’s a DataSearchLauncher browser extension installed on any of your web browsers, delete it as described in the last section on this page. Check your new tab and search engine settings, too.

If there are configuration profiles in System Preferences -> Profiles that seem to be related to DataSearchLauncher, delete them, too – select a profile and press the minus ‘-‘ button in the lower left.

Check your network settings in System Preferences -> Network -> Advanced -> Proxies. If “SOCKS” is selected and if you did not select it, then DataSearchLauncher might be responsible. deselect this option and save the settings.

DataSearchLauncher adware

Installation

Here are some of the ways that adware like DataSearchLauncher infects Macs:

• Being bundled with a free app, uploaded online and made available for download for free. The infected installer appears to only install one app but, in the background, attempts to install a few malicious browser extensions and other malware.
• Fake software update warnings online. The Adobe Flash Player is impersonated especially often. Works just like bundled freeware when it installs malware in the background.
• Fake virus warnings can also result in adware infections. Fake warnings promote low-quality antivirus applications like Smart Mac Booster that often carry junkware.
• Trojans download and install adware. Maybe there was already malware on the victim’s computer and it downloaded malware.

People who frequent sites that show malicious ads (pirating websites, “free” streaming sites, etc.), especially those who don’t use a filter to block malicious sites, are most vulnerable to such malicious ads. But almost any site can be infected and made to show dangerous advertisements.

With DataSearchLauncher, other adware infections may also be installed: LinkBranch, DTTarget, etc.

Effects on the browser

DataSearchLauncher may be part of the AdLoad family of adware. Here are some of the things that can happen because of DataSearchLauncher’s infection:

• The search settings in the browser change. So, when you try to search the internet, an unusual website displays the results, like SearchMarquis.
• Ads can be injected into various webpages, including some low-quality and malicious ads.
• DataSearchLauncher can mess with links, changing what website a link opens. It can also open new tabs in the browser.
• To help with ad targeting, DataSearchLauncher also logs search queries and other browsing data.

In addition, DataSearchLauncher may cause various technical issues: hijacked mouse cursor, system warnings about DataSearchLauncher, crashes and freezes of web browsers and other apps, and some websites being inaccessible.

DataSearchLauncher makes money by showing unwanted ads and hijacking web traffic. This can be dangerous when the ads that DataSearchLauncher promotes turn out to be scams, fake warnings, and disguised malware.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Review browser settings

How to remove DataSearchLauncher Adware from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall DataSearchLauncher Adware and other suspicious extensions.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences and choose General tab. Enter preferable URL to the homepage field.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings(older versions) If you are still experiencing any issues related to DataSearchLauncher Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari…
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopHow to remove DataSearchLauncher Adware from Google Chrome on Mac:

• Open Chrome browser.
• Enter in the url field “chrome://extensions” address and hit Enter.
• Find DataSearchLauncher Adware on the extensions list and click on the recycle bin icon next to it.
• Click on 'Chrome' button at the top left corner. Select 'Preferences' on a drop-down menu box.
• Find 'Search' options on Settings tab. If your search engine is changed, click 'Manage Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• On the same page find 'Show home button' checkbox and change your homepage.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to DataSearchLauncher Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• On the 'Preferences' menu window, scroll down to the bottom and find 'Reset settings' button. Click it.
• Confirm your selection and click 'Reset' on the following window.

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program. Top

How To remove DataSearchLauncher Adware from Firefox on Mac OS:

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (Or press cmd+Shift+A on your keyboard).
• Go through Extensions list, remove everything DataSearchLauncher Adware related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
• Enter “about:preferences” in URL bar and hit enter.
• Open Search settings tab.
• If your search engine is changed, click 'Default Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• If your homepage was changed, click on the Firefox menu in the top right corner, select Preferences-> General. Enter a preferable URL to the home page field.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to DataSearchLauncher Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
• Click on the Refresh Firefox button.
• Click on the Refresh Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.

If the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program to identify malicious entries.