Remove SearchPartyUserAgent From Mac (Complete Guide)

author avatarTodor Pichurov Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

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If you’ve recently encountered a warning saying, “SearchPartyUserAgent will damage your computer,” you might feel alarmed.

The message appears ominous, but there’s no need to panic. This guide will explain what SearchPartyUserAgent is, why these notifications show up, and how to safely remove any malware or adware that might be causing them.

What is SearchPartyUserAgent?

SearchPartyUserAgent is a legitimate process on macOS. It works alongside Searchpartyd, a daemon or background service responsible for supporting Apple’s Find My app.

This functionality allows you to locate your devices, share locations, and use Apple’s tracking features.

SearchPartyUserAgent operates silently and normally doesn’t draw attention unless it briefly uses more CPU power, especially during Find My app operations. A simple reboot usually resolves such issues.

Why are you seeing “SearchPartyUserAgent Will Damage Your Computer”?

The warning message, “SearchPartyUserAgent will damage your computer,” is not related to the legitimate process.

Instead, it is triggered by malware or adware. These deceptive messages are a tactic used by malicious apps to scare users into installing further unwanted software, visiting suspicious websites, or providing sensitive information.

This type of misleading message often arises when your Mac has adware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). These programs masquerade as useful tools but disrupt your system with pop-ups, fake alerts, and redirects.

How does this impact your Mac?

When your Mac is infected with adware or PUPs, you might experience the following issues:

  • Messages like “SearchPartyUserAgent will damage your computer” are crafted to look like legitimate macOS warnings.
  • Unwanted ads and notifications may appear frequently, disrupting your work.
  • Adware consumes system resources, leading to slower performance or overheating.
  • Some PUPs track your browsing habits and may collect sensitive data.

Ignoring these signs could make your Mac more vulnerable to further malware attacks.

How to remove “SearchPartyUserAgent Will Damage Your Computer” malware

Below is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to remove the adware or malware causing these messages.

Step 1: Remove suspicious аpplications

Adware often installs as an app on your Mac. Start by checking for any unfamiliar or suspicious applications.

  1. Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
  2. Look for apps you didn’t install or ones that look suspicious.
  3. Drag any suspicious apps to the Trash and empty it.
delete a program from applications using finder

Step 2: Delete leftover files from system directories

Even after removing the app, adware may leave behind residual files in hidden folders.

  1. Open Finder, then click Go in the menu bar and choose Go to Folder.
  2. Enter the following directories one by one and look for suspicious files:
    • /Library/LaunchAgents/
    • /Library/Application Support/
    • /Library/LaunchDaemons/
    • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
    • ~/Library/Application Support/
  3. Delete suspicious files linked to the malware.
  4. Empty the Trash again.
delete files and folders from the library folder

Step 3: Remove malicious login items

Some adware adds itself to your startup programs to relaunch every time you boot your Mac.

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Click on General > Login Items & Extensions.
  3. Look for any suspicious or unwanted login items and click the minus button to remove them.
remove malicious login items from macos

Step 4: Clean your browsers

To effectively reset your browsers and secure your online activity, follow these steps for each browser:

For Safari users:

  1. Open Safari
  2. Click on the Safari menu and choose Preferences
  3. Head to the Extensions tab and uninstall any extensions that seem suspicious or that you do not recall installing
  4. Go to the Privacy section, click on Manage Website Data, and then Remove All to clear cookies and website data
  5. Finally, in the General tab, you can reset your homepage to your desired website if it was changed

For Google Chrome users:

  1. Launch Google Chrome
  2. On the top right, click the three dots to access the menu and head into Settings
  3. Scroll down to Advanced, head to the Reset and clean up section, and choose Restore settings to their original defaults
  4. Confirm by clicking on Reset settings

For Mozilla Firefox users:

  1. Start Mozilla Firefox
  2. Click the menu button and select Help followed by Troubleshooting Information
  3. In the new window, click on Refresh Firefox at the top right
  4. Confirm your decision by selecting Refresh Firefox again when prompted

Step 5: Use SpyHunter to clean adware

Manually removing adware can be tedious, and some files may still linger. Using a reliable anti-malware tool like SpyHunter ensures all malicious files are eradicated.

  1. Download SpyHunter for free here and install it on your Mac.
  2. Open SpyHunter from the dock and perform a full system scan.
  3. Review the scan results and use the interface buttons to remove any detected malware or adware.
remove adware and browser hijackers with spyhunter
  1. Restart your Mac to finalize the cleanup process.
remove malware, viruses, and potentially unwanted programs with spyhunter for mac

How to prevent similar issues in the future

Once your Mac is clean, adopting good online safety habits can help you avoid similar problems in the future.

  • Only install software from the Mac App Store or official developer websites.
  • Enable Gatekeeper. This macOS feature blocks apps from unknown developers.
  • Use a reliable security tool and perform regular scans.
  • Be wary of pop-ups or emails that prompt you to download software or visit unusual websites.
  • Make sure your macOS is always updated.
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author avatar

Todor has over a decade of experience in creating content about cybersecurity. He specializes in making complex security topics understandable for all. As part of the SpyHunter team, Todor uses his expertise to educate users, empowering them to better understand and manage their digital environments securely and efficiently.

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