LogicalSearch Mac Malware - How to remove

LogicalSearch is a browser hijacker that is more shady and disruptive than a lot of other hijackers. It targets Macs and accesses the Safari browser, through it- the user’s browsing history and search terms. LogicalSearch most likely uses bundling and fake software updates to spread. It’s very stubborn when trying to remove it and keeps coming back after being uninstalled.

LogicalSearch can spy on the hijacked browser

LogicalSearch is a very generic-looking add-on. Its icon is a white magnifying glass on a green circle and it shares that with a big list of other, very similar extensions. LogicalSearch as the name doesn’t mean anything, it’s meant to be generic, boring, and unsuspicious. Other variants have names like NeedWebSearch, TopResults, ExtraList, and others. When I first saw one of these add-ons, I assumed it’s some default system component. It’s not – add-ons like LogicalSearch have been plaguing Mac users for months.

LogicalSearch is a browser hijacker:

Type of threat	Adware Browser hijacker
What LogicalSearch can do	See what websites you visit See everything you do on those websites
LogicalSearch installation methods	Free apps that bundle adware Fake software updates Malware that downloads adware in the background
Remove LogicalSearch	Delete it and related files Use an uninstaller and antivirus program (Combo Cleaner)

LogicalSearch appears randomly in the desktop asking to confirm its installation, opening the Safari browser. Sometimes it tries to force the user to click on the button to finish the installation by restricting where the mouse cursor works.

It opens with Safari and doesn’t show separate functionality, so it seems to be just plain spyware. LogicalSearch has these browser permissions:

• Can read sensitive information from webpages, including passwords, phone numbers, and credit cards on: all webpages
• Can see when you visit: all webpages

This means that, if you use Safari, LogicalSearch can collect data about your search habits – what you type in search bars, what you buy, where you live, how rich you are. All this data is useful for behavioral advertising, which tends to be a lot more effective than normal ads. But as it’s very difficult to collect info about people normally, creating shady browser extensions has become one of the main ways to do this. Some companies create extensions that have some surface features and then advertise them (with the help of some deceptive tactics). Others, like LogicalSearch, do not appear do anything and could remain installed without the user’s knowledge for months.

Infiltration of the hijacker

LogicalSearch does not ask to be installed. It appears uninvited and is can be a nightmare to remove for some users. LogicalSearch doesn’t need to be manually downloaded to infect computers:

• It can be included with free apps and installed without your consent.
• Trojans can download LogicalSearch.
• Malicious ads (usually, fake software update alerts) might offer adware bundles that include LogicalSearch.

One of the ways that LogicalSearch slithers into the Macs of unsuspecting users is through adware bundles – multiple applications in one container that get installed together. Even if you’re told that it’s one app before you download it, a malicious bundle can install additional software in the background.

These adware bundles are different from app compilations. Bundles usually work by, let’s say, LogicalSearch’s creator paying the owner of a free program to distribute LogicalSearch. It’s like very aggressive advertising. You can avoid unwanted surprises by scanning every Dmg file with an antivirus program before you open it.

Some adware is downloaded from the Mac App Store. Even in curated stores, it’s not always possible to catch all the malware that makes in on, especially if the malicious apps are not too obvious. But it’s still safer than random freeware sites, which are almost guaranteed to inject adware into every application. If LogicalSearch appeared in your system around the time you downloaded some free apps, they might have been installed together.

And then there are malicious ads and fake software updates. Fake Flash Player updates, fake Java update alerts, pop-ups saying that your browser is outdated, and similar sites are suspects for infecting your Mac with LogicalSearch. These websites show fake warnings to trick users to download some file that they think is an important update. In reality, the file installs apps that spy on you, inject ads in your browser, and open various pop-ups.

Finally, trojans like CrescentCore might download apps like LogicalSearch in secret. These are also spread in fake software updates.

How to remove LogicalSearch

Moving LogicalSearch to the Trash folder might work temporarily, but to remove this malware completely, all the associated files need to be deleted from the Mac. They might be placed in Library folders (~/Library/Application Support, ~/Library/LaunchAgents, /Library/LaunchAgents, /Library/LaunchDaemons). These folders have important files for various applications, so make backups before deleting anything. Files associated with LogicalSearch might have other names. Look up each file online one by one to find out which application they belong to.

You can also use an uninstaller app or an anti-malware tool like Combo Cleaner to remove LogicalSearch automatically.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to remove LogicalSearch Mac Malware from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall LogicalSearch Mac Malware 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 LogicalSearch Mac Malware, 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.