SearchPartyd

Mac users may notice a strange application named SearchPartyd somehow present on their devices. In the vast majority of cases, the users will have no recollection of willingly installing this application and there is a simple explanation for this fact - SearchPartyd is a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) that is being spread via deceptive distribution techniques. Indeed, PUPs are commonly packaged alongside other more legitimate software products in a tactic known as bundling. A far more deceitful method is for PUP to be injected into fake installers or updates. But what is the goal of SearchPartyd?

As is natural for this application type, SearchPartyd aims to monetize its presence on the Mac via several intrusive means. It will be responsible for generating numerous dubious advertisements that may appear as pop-ups, banners, surveys, in-text links, etc. To add legitimacy to its advertisements, SearchPartyd may try to inject them into unrelated websites. Users should remember that engaging with advertisement materials coming from such unfamiliar sources could be risky, and they may find themselves redirected to online tactics, phishing pages, fake giveaways and other suspicious destinations.

At the same time, SearchPartyd also may act as a browser hijacker that will take control over the installed Web browsers. Users may notice that their browser's homepage, new tab page, and default search engine have all been modified to now open an unknown address. Typically, browser hijackers are responsible for generating artificial traffic towards fake search engines.

There is one important characteristic of most PUPs that must be taken into account - these dubious applications often carry data-collection capabilities. They may be spying on the browsing activities on the device and uploading all collected information to a server under the control of their operators. That is why it may be for the best to remove such suspicious applications as soon as possible. To ensure that no traces of the PUP are left behind, use a professional security solution to clean your Mac.