How to remove Search.flexiblelocator.com (Mac)

What is Search.flexiblelocator.com

Search.flexiblelocator.com is part of potentially unwanted program categorized as a browser hijacker. Applications of such type are inclined to create an environment for better browsing experience by assigning new search engines and other subservient features. Unfortunately, Flexible Locator does not generate unique results, instead, it simply readdresses user’s queries to legitimate Yahoo.com. Also, it has been determined that Search.flexiblelocator.com can access your personal data (passwords, IP-addresses, geolocations, etc.) and collect it for selling purposes. Browser hijackers can be dangerous by any means and have to be deleted from your computer for all. Follow the tutorial below to learn removal instructions and potential ways of how FlexibleLocator could infiltrate your system.

How Search.flexiblelocator.com infected your computer

Developers of browser hijackers do not get too much bogged down in advertising techniques. They use a simple, but yet effective way called bundling. When people download programs from third-parties resources, they put themselves at risk of getting infected with potentially unwanted programs. To avert this, you have to check “Advanced” or “Custom” sections for additional offers and deselect them, if any. Distribution methods can tell a lot about the reputation of software and other insights. Cybercriminals that use bundling methods receive a life-term stigma on their software. Although, this does not stop them from creating clones and similar infections to penetrate inexperienced users. One more important measure to prevent such infiltrations is avoiding clicking on ads and banners on adult pages, newspapers, file-exchanging portals, and other websites that are loaded with ads.

Remove Search.flexiblelocator.com manually for free

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

Important update: Search.flexiblelocator.com hijacker installs a malicious Device Profile called AdminPrefs on MacOS, that won’t allow users to make changes to browser search engine and homepage settings. Follow instructions below to remove this profile.

Remove Search.flexiblelocator.com profile

1. Go to System Preferences and click on Profiles.
2. In the list of profiles on the left side, choose AdminPrefs and click on “-” button to remove it.
3. In your case it can be named differently, in this case remove all visible profiles. Check the picture below to see how it looks like.

Remove Search.flexiblelocator.com from Applications

Remove Search.flexiblelocator.com from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall Search.flexiblelocator.com

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

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

Remove Search.flexiblelocator.com add-on from your browsers

Removing FlexibleLocator 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 FlexibleLocator 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 FlexibleLocator 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 FlexibleLocator 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 FlexibleLocator extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish Search.flexiblelocator.com 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 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 Search.flexiblelocator.com


~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.FlexibleLocator.plist
~/Library/Safari/Extensions/FlexibleLocator.safariextz
~/Library/Application Support/FlexibleLocator


How to protect Mac OSX from hijackers, like Search.flexiblelocator.com

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.