Use the Panel Editor for Switch Control or the Accessibility Keyboard on Mac. If you use Switch Control or the Accessibility Keyboard, you can use the Panel Editor to add custom panels to the Switch Control or Accessibility Keyboard panel collection, to streamline common tasks and actions for different apps on your Mac.
MajorPanelSearch is designed to display advertisements and promote some fake search engine (its address) by changing browser's settings. This app has traits of adware and a browser hijacker. Also, it may be designed to collect data related to user's browsing habits. In most cases users download and/or install such apps unintentionally, therefore, MajorPanelSearch and other apps of this type are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Research shows that MajorPanelSearch is distributed through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer.
In most cases adware-type apps like MajorPanelSearch feed users with surveys, banners, pop-ups, coupons and/or other types of advertisements. It is common that those ads not only conceal contents of visited pages but also open various unreliable pages or even execute scripts designed to download and/or install unwanted software. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to trust (click) such ads. Furthermore, MajorPanelSearch is designed to assign address of some fake search engine as homepage, default search engine new tab. It means that MajorPanelSearch's users are forced to visit certain address when they open a browser, new tab and enter search queries into URL bar. Very often browser hijackers do not allow users to modify, undo settings that were assigned by them as long as they are installed. In other words, certain address can be stopped from being opened when the app that is designed to promote it (in this case MajorPanelSearch) is no longer installed. Additionally, MajorPanelSearch may be designed to collect IP addresses, addresses of visited web pages, entered search queries, geolocations and/or other browsing data, or even some sensitive information. There is a possibility that people behind this app could misuse collected information to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (who may be cyber criminals) or in other ways. Therefore, MajorPanelSearch's users may become victims of identity theft, experience issues related to browsing safety, privacy, and/or other problems. It is strongly recommended not to install such app, also, it is not safe to use third party installers like a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer - it is common that such installers are used to distribute malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojan-type programs).
Name | Ads by MajorPanelSearch |
Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Agent-KA [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Agent-KA [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Agent.G), Kaspersky (HEUR:Backdoor.OSX.Lador.a), Full List (VirusTotal) |
Additional Information | This application belongs to Adload malware family. |
Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
More examples of apps like MajorPanelSearch are AdditionalChannelSearch, SearchToolHelper and SocratesResults. Unfortunately, these are just a couple of examples and there are many more. Typically, such apps supposed to be legitimate and useful: developers advertise them as apps that improve browsing experience, include various features, etc. However, in most cases such apps are not only useless but can be the reason behind various problems. For these reasons it is recommended not to have MajorPanelSearch or other apps of this type installed on a browser and/or computer.
As mentioned in the introduction, MajorPanelSearch is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. As a rule, such installers have nothing to do with actual programs (like Adobe Flash Player) and used to distribute unwanted, sometimes even malicious apps. Also, very often potentially unwanted applications are distributed by including them in download and/or installation setups of other, mainly free programs. This distribution method is called 'bundling'. Typically, additionally included apps can be found and declined in setup's 'Custom', 'Advanced', or other settings. Users who download and/or install software without checking and changing those settings often agree with offers to download and/or install additionally included apps as well. Sometimes unwanted downloads and/or installations can be caused by clicking deceptive ads that are designed to execute certain scripts. Although, it happens only when users click them.
Unofficial, websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g. eMule. torrent clients), third party downloaders, and other tools, channels often used to distribute unwanted, potentially malicious apps. The same applies to third party installers. Therefore, files and programs should be downloaded only from official pages and through direct links. Setups that contain settings like 'Custom', 'Advanced' should be checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Unwanted downloads and installations can be prevented by declining those offers before completing download and/or installation processes. Intrusive advertisements on shady websites can be designed to open untrustworthy websites or cause downloads and/or installations of unwanted apps. Therefore, such ads should not be trusted/clicked. All unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons and plug-ins that are installed on a browser should be removed. Programs of this kind that are installed on a computer should be uninstalled too. If your computer is already infected with MajorPanelSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to the MajorPanelSearch adware that need to be removed:
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the MajorPanelSearch adware are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the 'Preferences' icon in the menu bar and select 'Profiles'
2) Select the 'MajorPanelSearch' profile and delete it.
3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this adware/browser hijacker.
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for MacBy downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
Remove MajorPanelSearch-related potentially unwanted applications from your 'Applications' folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select 'Applications'. In the applications folder, look for 'MPlayerX', 'NicePlayer', or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/Application Support
In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons
In the “LaunchDaemons” folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”, 'com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure your system is not infected run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file double click combocleaner.dmg installer, in the opened window drag and drop Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates it's virus definition database and click 'Start Combo Scan' button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays 'no threats found' - this means that you can continue with the removal guide, otherwise it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove ads by majorpanelsearch related Safari extensions:
Open Safari browser, from the menu bar, select 'Safari' and click 'Preferences...'.
In the preferences window, select 'Extensions' and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the 'Uninstall' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Remove ads by majorpanelsearch related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the 'Open Menu' (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose 'Add-ons'.
Choose the 'Extensions' tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Remove' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Remove ads by majorpanelsearch related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the 'Chrome menu' (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose 'More Tools' and select 'Extensions'.
In the 'Extensions' window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the 'Trash' button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.