How to remove InteropSearch (Mac)

What is InteropSearch

InteropSearch is a type of adware that targets macOS users, generating intrusive advertisements that disrupt the browsing experience. Often bundled with free software or downloaded from untrustworthy sources, it can infiltrate systems without users’ knowledge. Once installed, InteropSearch displays various ads, including pop-ups and banners, which may lead users to dubious websites designed for scams or phishing attempts. This adware also collects sensitive data, such as browsing history and personal information, raising significant privacy concerns. Users may experience slower system performance due to the background processes initiated by InteropSearch. Removing this adware can be challenging, as it often installs multiple components across different system locations. Therefore, employing a reliable antivirus tool like Combo Cleaner is strongly recommended for effective removal.

How InteropSearch infects Mac computers

InteropSearch typically infiltrates Mac systems through deceptive tactics, primarily bundled with free software and applications downloaded from untrustworthy sources. Users often unknowingly install this adware by accepting default installation settings or overlooking “Advanced” or “Custom” options, which may include additional unwanted programs. It can also spread through questionable pop-up ads, torrent downloads, and suspicious links on unreliable websites. Once installed, InteropSearch generates intrusive advertisements, leading users to potentially harmful sites while also collecting sensitive browsing data, which raises significant privacy concerns. This combination of stealthy installation and aggressive advertising makes it imperative for users to remain vigilant when downloading software and to utilize reliable security tools to prevent such infections.

1. Download InteropSearch Removal Tool
2. Remove InteropSearch from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall InteropSearch from Applications
4. Remove InteropSearch from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove InteropSearch files and folders
7. Block InteropSearch ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like InteropSearch

Remove InteropSearch manually for free

Note: InteropSearch sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “InteropSearch” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: InteropSearch won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose InteropSearch in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full InteropSearch removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of InteropSearch installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove InteropSearch from Applications

Remove InteropSearch from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. InteropSearch might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall InteropSearch or InteropSearch Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag InteropSearch from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall InteropSearch

If you can’t uninstall InteropSearch using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of InteropSearch. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag InteropSearch from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with InteropSearch.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove InteropSearch add-on from your browsers

Removing InteropSearch from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the InteropSearch extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find InteropSearch extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find InteropSearch extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose InteropSearch extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish InteropSearch removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of InteropSearch


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.InteropSearch.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.InteropSearch.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.InteropSearch.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.InteropSearch.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote InteropSearch

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting InteropSearch in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like InteropSearch

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac