NetFunctionSearch is a browser hijacker targeting Macs
NetFunctionSearch browser hijacker is also referred to as a redirect virus, and is generally an infection that targets Macs. Hijackers are usually not harmful infections because they don’t aim to cause problems. It isn’t benign, however, as its prime intention is to generate traffic and revenue by redirecting you to questionable pages. Even if the hijacker managed to slip past you and install, its presence will become very obvious as soon as it is inside the computer. You’ll begin abruptly being redirected to random pages, search results will contain sponsored content, and your browser will display other bizarre behaviour. But some people may not realize the bizarre behaviour is a sign of a browser hijacker if a browser hijacker is not something they are familiar with. Googling the symptoms or the redirect page normally makes the situation clear. 
Your browser’s settings will be changed, in addition to the redirects. Every time you launch it, you browser will have another homepage/new tabs, and these modifications may temporarily be impossible to cancel. By changing your browser’s settings, hijackers are able to redirect you.
Hijackers do not just install without requiring your permission as they aren’t malicious software or viruses, even if plenty users think of them as such. Users themselves allow them to install, even if they do not do it consciously. The method is called software bundling, and it’s basically attaching hijackers, adware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) to freeware as extra offers, which allows them to install alongside the free software. It isn’t complicated to prevent these undesirable installations, as long as you are aware of how to do it, and we will explain in the proceeding section.
The quicker you uninstall NetFunctionSearch, the better, even if it isn’t a severe infection. Take into consideration that you could be exposed to highly dubious content, including malware and scams, in addition to your normal browsing being disrupted.
How does a hijacker install
Browser hijackers install with free programs, as we’ve mentioned before. Program bundling is how this method is called, and it includes attaching infections like hijackers as extra items to freeware. The thing about this method is that the added offers are concealed from users but can install, unless users manually stop them from doing so. Luckily, it’s pretty simple to prevent these not wanted installations, if you pay attention when installing free programs.
When installing free programs, picking Advanced (Custom) settings is vital. If you choose Default mode, you won’t notice the items. If the program does have an offer attached, it will be made visible in Advanced settings, and you will be able to deselect everything. To prevent them from installing, unchecking those offers is enough. If you block not wanted installations in the very beginning, you won’t have to spend ages removing infections later on. Additionally, if you take care during software installation, your system will not fill up with useless items.
What does the hijacker do
Soon after infection, browser hijackers hijack browsers like Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, and start to redirect to weird websites, which helps instantly identify that an infection is present. Your browser’s settings will be modified by the hijacker so that your homepage is set to load its promoted page, and whenever you open your browser, that is the web page you’ll see. Your search engine will be another change made to your browser without permission. The hijacker will expose you to changed search results by redirecting you to its sponsored website every time you search using browser address bar. You may note that the results include sponsored irrelevant sponsored content. The hijacker performs those redirects so it could generate web page traffic and income. The off redirects make hijackers not only aggravating infections but also dangerous. Avoid engaging with advertising or sponsored content while the hijacker is installed. Pages you will be redirected to may be unsafe since hijackers do not check them. The pages the hijacker leads you to to may host malware or advertise all types of scams. Allowing a hijacker to remain installed isn’t a great idea, even if they don’t do direct damage.
It may not be immediately obvious, but hijackers also spy on you, they gather information about what you search for, content you engage with, what type of sites you visit, your IP address and other data. Hijackers very often share that information with unknown third-parties, who use it for advertising purposes.
To summarize, the hijacker is considered to be pretty troublesome because it installs without consent, it makes not wanted browser changes, redirects to weird pages and subjects you to content that’s possibly damaging. don’t wait to uninstall NetFunctionSearch even if it doesn’t look like the most serious threat.
NetFunctionSearch elimination
The simplest way to remove NetFunctionSearch would be to use spyware removal software. It is easier to use anti-spyware programs for infection deletion since the software takes care of everything and guarantees the infection is no longer present. Manual NetFunctionSearch removal isn’t too difficult either, if you understand what you are doing and make sure to remove all hijacker files. As long as you’re successful in NetFunctionSearch elimination, you should have no problems changing back your browser’s settings.
Offers
Download Removal Toolto scan for NetFunctionSearchUse our recommended removal tool to scan for NetFunctionSearch. Trial version of provides detection of computer threats like NetFunctionSearch and assists in its removal for FREE. You can delete detected registry entries, files and processes yourself or purchase a full version.
More information about SpyWarrior and Uninstall Instructions. Please review SpyWarrior EULA and Privacy Policy. SpyWarrior scanner is free. If it detects a malware, purchase its full version to remove it.
WiperSoft Review Details WiperSoft (www.wipersoft.com) is a security tool that provides real-time security from potential threats. Nowadays, many users tend to download free software from the Intern ...
Download|moreIs MacKeeper a virus? MacKeeper is not a virus, nor is it a scam. While there are various opinions about the program on the Internet, a lot of the people who so notoriously hate the program have neve ...
Download|moreWhile the creators of MalwareBytes anti-malware have not been in this business for long time, they make up for it with their enthusiastic approach. Statistic from such websites like CNET shows that th ...
Download|more
Quick Menu
Step 1. Uninstall NetFunctionSearch and related programs.
Remove NetFunctionSearch from Windows 8
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel choose Programs and Features and select to Uninstall a software.
Uninstall NetFunctionSearch from Windows 7
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall a program.
Delete NetFunctionSearch from Windows XP
Click Start → Settings → Control Panel. Locate and click → Add or Remove Programs.
Remove NetFunctionSearch from Mac OS X
Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for NetFunctionSearch or any other suspicious software. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash, then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
Step 2. Delete NetFunctionSearch from your browsers
Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer
- Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons.
- Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe)
- Leave the window.
Change Internet Explorer homepage if it was changed by virus:
- Tap the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of your browser and click Internet Options.
- In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes.
Reset your browser
- Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options.
- Open the Advanced tab and press Reset.
- Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time.
- Tap Close and leave your browser.
- If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.
Erase NetFunctionSearch from Google Chrome
- Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings.
- Choose Extensions.
- Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them.
- If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily.
Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus
- Press on menu icon and click Settings.
- Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages.
- In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
- Under the Search section choose Manage Search engines. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search websites. You should leave only Google or your preferred search name.
Reset your browser
- If the browser still does not work the way you prefer, you can reset its settings.
- Open menu and navigate to Settings.
- Press Reset button at the end of the page.
- Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box.
- If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.
Remove NetFunctionSearch from Mozilla Firefox
- In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously).
- Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries.
Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:
- Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options.
- On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
- Press OK to save these changes.
Reset your browser
- Open the menu and tap Help button.
- Select Troubleshooting Information.
- Press Refresh Firefox.
- In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more.
- If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.
Uninstall NetFunctionSearch from Safari (Mac OS X)
- Access the menu.
- Pick Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions Tab.
- Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable NetFunctionSearch and get rid of all the other unknown entries as well. If you are unsure whether the extension is reliable or not, simply uncheck the Enable box in order to disable it temporarily.
- Restart Safari.
Reset your browser
- Tap the menu icon and choose Reset Safari.
- Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset.
- If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.
Site Disclaimer
2-remove-virus.com is not sponsored, owned, affiliated, or linked to malware developers or distributors that are referenced in this article. The article does not promote or endorse any type of malware. We aim at providing useful information that will help computer users to detect and eliminate the unwanted malicious programs from their computers. This can be done manually by following the instructions presented in the article or automatically by implementing the suggested anti-malware tools.
The article is only meant to be used for educational purposes. If you follow the instructions given in the article, you agree to be contracted by the disclaimer. We do not guarantee that the artcile will present you with a solution that removes the malign threats completely. Malware changes constantly, which is why, in some cases, it may be difficult to clean the computer fully by using only the manual removal instructions.
I have gone through all the procedures for trying to remove “NetFunctionSearch” from my 17″ MBP OSX10.13.6 High Sierra. I can’t find ‘NFS’ anywhere it is supposed to be found according to this article, yet I continue to get the dialog box warning that it has been activated and something is trying to connect to my Mac over the internet. I have purchased the full version of TotalAV and it has done a lot of scanning and turned up other areas I can improve my speed with the removal of extraneous files but ‘NFS’ never comes up as one of them! If neither automatic or manual removal procedures work, what’s left?!