How to remove PublicConsoleSearch from Mac

What is PublicConsoleSearch?

PublicConsoleSearch is an ad-type malware created by computer scammers for Mac. This virus affects Safari, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox and changes their settings. There are many similar malware such as Websearchupgrade, Validboost, Globalsearchsystem that also work in the same script: infiltrating, then forcibly changing Safari preferences and displaying pop-ups to force you to click deliberately or inadvertently. Clicks are beneficial to fraudsters, however, they degrade the performance of Mac system, because when you click on the pop-up window, virus will fill your system with a huge number of different ads (pop-ups, videos, audio ads, coupons) and they will overload your computer. To rid Mac of pests, use the instructions below. It is effective and safe.

How to Remove PublicConsoleSearch

1. Remove PublicConsoleSearch Automatically
2. Remove PublicConsoleSearch From Programs and Features
3. Delete Rogue Programs From File Explorer
4. Remove PublicConsoleSearch Adware From Browsers
5. Delete PublicConsoleSearch Notifications
6. Get rid of PublicConsoleSearch pop-ups and notifications on Android
7. How to Protect Your PC From PublicConsoleSearch and Other Adware

Remove Malware Automatically:

The easiest method to stop ads is to run an anti-malware program capable of detecting adware. Norton is a powerful antivirus that protects you against malware, spyware, ransomware and other types of Internet threats. Norton is available for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices.

Norton Antivirus

Other software that may be able to get rid of PublicConsoleSearch
WiperSoft (Windows)

If you are a user of Mac OS X, you can also try Combo Cleaner.
Note: After removing the adware you might still need to disable notifications manually (see the step named Delete PublicConsoleSearch Notifications).

You can also try to remove Stand Boost by hand using the following instructions.

Remove PublicConsoleSearch From Programs and Features:

Go to Programs and Features, uninstall suspicious programs, programs you don’t remember installing, or programs you installed just before PublicConsoleSearch appeared on your browser for the first time. When you are not sure if a program is safe, look for the answer on the Internet.

Windows XP:

1. Click Start.
2. In the Start menu select Settings => Control Panel.
3. Find and click Add or Remove Programs.
4. Select the program.
5. Click Remove.

Windows Vista:

1. Click Start.
2. In the Start menu select Control Panel.
3. Find and click Uninstall a program.
4. Select the program.
5. Click Uninstall.

Windows 7:

1. Click Start.
2. In the Start menu select Control Panel.
3. Find and select Programs and Features or Uninstall a program.
4. Select the program.
5. Click Uninstall.

Windows 8 / Windows 8.1:

1. Press and hold Windows key and hit X key.
2. Select Programs and Features from the menu.
3. Select the program.
4. Click Uninstall.

Windows 10:

1. Press and hold Windows key and hit X key.
2. Select Programs and Features from the menu.
3. Select the program.
4. Click Uninstall.

Mac OS:

1. On the top menu select Go => Applications.
2. Drag an unwanted application to the Trash bin.
3. Right-click on the Trash and select Empty Trash.

Delete Rogue Programs From File Explorer:

This step is for experienced computer users. You might accidentally delete something you weren’t supposed to.
Sometimes malicious programs don’t show up in Programs and Features. Check also %ProgramFiles%, %ProgramFiles(x86)%, and especially %AppData% and %LocalAppData% (these are shortcuts; type or copy and paste them into the address bar of File Explorer). If you see folders with unfamiliar names, see what’s inside, google those names to find out if they belong to legitimate programs. Delete the ones that are obviously associated with malware. If you are not sure, back them up before deleting (copy to a different location, for example to a thumb drive).

Remove PublicConsoleSearch Adware From Browsers:

Remove any suspicious extensions or extension you don’t recognize from browsers.

Remove PublicConsoleSearch Adware from Google Chrome:

1. Click on three dots menu button at the top right corner of the window.
2. Select More tools ⇒ Extensions.
3. Click REMOVE to uninstall an extension.
4. Click Remove in the dialog box.

Remove PublicConsoleSearch Adware from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click on menu button and select Add-ons.
2. Go to Extensions tab.
3. To uninstall an add-on, click on Remove button next to it.

Remove PublicConsoleSearch Adware from Internet Explorer:

1. Click Tools button in the top-right corner.
2. Select Manage add-ons.
3. In the drop-down menu under Show: select All add-ons.
4. To delete an add-on, double-click it; in the new window click Remove.

Remove PublicConsoleSearch Adware from Opera:

1. Press Ctrl +Shift + E keys to open extensions manager.
2. To remove an add-on, click on the x button next to it.
3. Click OK when asked to confirm.

Remove PublicConsoleSearch Adware from Safari:

1. On the top menu select Safari => Preferences.
2. Select Extensions tab.
3. Select an extension you want to delete and click Uninstall button next to it.

Delete PublicConsoleSearch Notifications:

Remove PublicConsoleSearch Notifications From Google Chrome:

1. Open chrome://settings/content/notifications (just copy this and paste into the address bar of Chrome).
2. Delete all rogue notifications by clicking three vertical dots button next to each and selecting Remove.

Remove PublicConsoleSearch Notifications From Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click on menu button and select Options.
2. Select Privacy & Security on the left side of the window.
3. Scroll down to Permissions section and click Settings… button next to Notifications.
4. Find sites you don’t want to see notifications from, click on drop-down menu next to each and select Block.
5. Click Save Changes button.

Get rid of PublicConsoleSearch pop-ups and notifications on Android:

Disable PublicConsoleSearch notifications:

Note: Steps might differ a little depending on the version of your Android.

1. Tap Settings.
2. Select Apps & notifications => Apps.
3. Find and tap the browser that displaysVugibugi.info ads notifications.
4. Tap Notifications.
5. Find PublicConsoleSearch in the list and disable it.

Stop PublicConsoleSearch pop-ups:

If PublicConsoleSearch is opening on new tabs in your browser from time to time, that means you have adware. Most likely one on the apps you installed recently is causing these pop-ups. Uninstall recently installed and suspicious apps you have. Alternatively, use an antivirus to scan your device for malware.

Norton Antivirus

How to Protect Your PC From PublicConsoleSearch and Other Adware:

• Get a powerful anti-malware software, capable of detecting and eliminating PUPs. Having several on-demand scanners would be a good idea too.
• Keep Windows firewall enabled or get a third-party one.
• Keep your OS, browsers and security utilities updated. Malware creators find new browser and OS vulnerabilities to exploit all the time. Software writers, in turn, release patches and updates to get rid of the known vulnerabilities and lesser the chance of malware penetration. Antivirus program’s signature databases get updated every day and even more often to include new virus signatures.
• Adjust your browsers’ settings to block pop-ups and to load plug-ins only when clicked.
• Download and use uBlock Origin, Adblock or Adblock Plus browser extension/add-on to block third-party advertisements on web-sites.
• Don’t just click on any link you see while browsing the web. That applies particularly to links in comments, on forums, or in instant messengers. Pretty often these are spam links. Sometimes they are used for increasing the traffic to websites, but often enough they will land you on pages that will try to execute a malicious code and infect your computer. Links from your friends are suspect too: the person who shares a cute video might not know that the page contains threatening script.
• Don’t download software from unverified web-sites. You can easily download a trojan (malware that pretends to be a useful application); or some unwanted programs could get installed along with the app.
• When installing freeware or shareware, be sensible and don’t rush through the process. Choose Custom or Advanced installation mode, look for checkboxes that ask for your permission to install third-party apps and uncheck them, read End User License Agreement to make sure nothing else is going to get installed. You can make exceptions for the apps you know and trust, of course. If declining from installing unwanted programs is not possible, we advise you to cancel the installation completely.