What is lkysearchds?

lkysearchds is a browser hijacker that redirects all your searches to http://lkysearchds1733-a.akamaihd.net/****** web-page. It may end up on your Mac after installing questionable software or fake update. Once inside, it gets your browser configuration corrupted and spammed with advertisements and redirects. Also, it tracks your browsing activity by collecting your search queries, frequently viewed pages, browsing history, and similar data to pass them on to third parties. That significantly slows down your browser, forcing sites to load much more slowly. Thanks to the data obtained, the virus is trying to lure users to sponsor sites by displaying ads according to their interests. In other words, it fulfills them with sponsored ads to bring more traffic to the partner websites. It means that all your search results will be biased. Therefore, we recommend you to remove lkysearchds from your Mac. The best way to do this is to use Norton Antivirus that can eliminate malware without your participation. Experienced users can use our manual guide given below in this article.

Recommended Anti-malware tools:

The easiest and most modern way of removing hijackers, pop-ups, Trojans, ransomware or other viruses is to use automatic removal tools. See our Anti-malware tools below for further instructions.

Try SpyHunter for Mac

SpyHunter fully removes all instances of newest viruses from Mac/MacBook and Safari. Besides, it can help to optimize MacOS and free up disk space. Compatible with all versions of MacOS. The free version of SpyHunter for Mac allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. The full version of SpyHunter costs $42 (you get 6 months of subscription). By clicking the button, you agree to EULA and Privacy Policy. Downloading will start automatically.

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MacOS versions

Also, you can try to remove lkysearchds manually.

Alternative solution. Step 1: Remove lkysearchds from Mac

lkysearchds may not have the app associated with it in Applications. However, we recommend you to inspect the list of installed applications and remove unknown or suspicious ones. Look for lkysearchds or lkysearchds.app.

Mac OSX:

  1. Open Finder
  2. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications
  3. If you see Uninstall lkysearchds or lkysearchds Uninstaller, double-click it and follow instructions
  4. Drag unwanted application lkysearchds from the Applications folder to the Trash (located on the right side of the Dock)

Learn more about uninstallation of programs in Mac OSX

Step 2: Remove malicious entries from Profiles (Mac)

  1. Open System Preferences.
  2. Click on Profiles.
  3. Click on unsigned and suspicious profiles on the left panel.
  4. Click the minus button below to delete rogue settings.

mac profiles

Step 3: Get rid of lkysearchds using Terminal (only for Google Chrome)

  1. Open Terminal
  2. Copy and paste the following entries one by one each time by pressing “ENTER”:
    defaults write com.google.Chrome HomepageIsNewTabPage -bool false
    defaults write com.google.Chrome NewTabPageLocation -string “https://www.google.com/”
    defaults write com.google.Chrome HomepageLocation -string “https://www.google.com/”
    defaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderSearchURL
    defaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderNewTabURL
    defaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderName
  3. Relaunch Chrome

Step 4: Delete lkysearchds from browsers

Safari:

  1. Open Safari
  2. Click Safari menu.
  3. Choose Extensions.
  4. Find lkysearchds or other suspicious extensions.
  5. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Learn more about removing extensions from Safari.

Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome
  2. Click the Chrome menu (3-dots icon) in the top right corner.
  3. Click Tools.
  4. Choose Extensions.
  5. Find lkysearchds or other suspicious extensions.
  6. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Learn more about removing extensions from Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Push Shift + Ctrl + A.
  3. Choose lkysearchds or other suspicious extensions.
  4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Learn more about removing extensions from Firefox.

Step 5: Resetting your browser search and homepage settings

Reset browser setting in Safari:

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Click on the Safari menu.
  3. Choose Reset Safari….
  4. Click Reset button.

Learn more about resetting browser settings in Safari.

Reset browser setting in Google Chrome:

  1. Click the Chrome menu (3 bar button) in the top right corner.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Click Show advanced settings.
  4. Go to Reset browser settings section.
  5. Click Reset browser settings.
  6. In the dialog that appears, click Reset.

Learn more about resetting browser settings in Google Chrome.

Reset browser setting in Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Go to Help.
  3. Go to Troubleshooting information.
  4. Click Reset Firefox… button.

Learn more about resetting browser settings in Mozilla Firefox.

5 Comments

  1. Hi, so I was wondering if this also works for searchmine in Chrome? If it doesn’t, ignore this.
    If it does, step 3 did not work for me. When I typed in those commands, it said: domain (com.google.chrome) not found Defaults have not been changed.

  2. Thank you for posting this. My husband accidentally installed OptimumSearch while looking for an old PC game, and we’ve had a hard time getting this crap removed. Your article has helped immensely – thanks again!

  3. Thanks for the post, but the lkysearchds thing keeps coming back, and your steps stopped working after some time. I had the same problem that Colin said in his comment (April 22), the 3 last entries on Step 3 don’t work and this appears:
    “Domain (com.google.Chrome) not found.
    Defaults have not been changed.”
    The past times the virus came back I use the Terminal in the way you told and it worked, but doesn’t anymore. I removed “TotalSearchLetter” from the profiles, as in Step 2, and things seem to be normal, but I bet the next time it appears I’ll not be able to remove it…
    Also, the Steps 4 and 5 don’t remove anything (for me, at least) and I couldn’t find a suspicious application, like in Step 1.
    (Just for the record, I stopped using the website where I get the virus)

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