How to remove Search.validplatform.com (Mac)

What is Search.validplatform.com

Search.validplatform.com represents the address of a fake searching system that targets Mac systems. Such programs are often related to browser hijackers that impose certain changes in browser settings. Search.validplatform.com tries to be serviceable by generating smarter and unique results designed by developers. However, the reality looks completely different as it redirects users through the legitimate Yahoo search engine. These integrations are not agreed with Yahoo developers, meaning that it is used illegally to produce traffic activity based on entered queries. All in all, Search.validplatform.com is labeled as an unwanted program capable of stealing personal data (IP-addresses, geolocations, passwords, etc.). Thus, we recommend you remove it as soon as possible to prevent third-party presence in your personal life. Our tutorial below will show the necessary steps to take it.

How Search.validplatform.com infected your computer

The latest investigation established that apps responsible for the promotion of Search.validplatform.com can be distributed via fake Adobe Flash Player updaters. Most user’s reports showed that it is promoted by IndexxerInput and similar apps. To avert it, you should avoid clicking on suspicious ads or banners, since they can lead to pages displaying malicious content. Also, besides being spread via fake installers, Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) can be installed alongside other software. Usually, it happens when users download free or pirated programs advertised on the web. Because they may contain additional offers inside “Advanced” and “Custom” sections, inexperienced users accidentally install an additional app not paying enough caution during the setup. They seek towards the end up the setup, missing all the vital steps. This is why you should spend some time checking the presence of PUPs to prevent inconveniences affected by unwanted apps.

Remove Search.validplatform.com manually for free

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

Important update: Search.validplatform.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.validplatform.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.validplatform.com from Applications

Remove Search.validplatform.com from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall Search.validplatform.com

If you can’t uninstall Search.validplatform.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.validplatform.com. Follow instructions below:

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

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

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

Reset browser settings

To finish Search.validplatform.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.validplatform.com


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


How to protect Mac OSX from hijackers, like Search.validplatform.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.