Search.mysafesearch.net Redirect (Mac)

What is search.mysafesearch.net?

Identical to chumsearch.com, search.mysafesearch.net is a fake Internet search engine that (supposedly) enhances the Internet browsing experience by generating improved search results. 

These claims often trick users into believing that search.mysafesearch.net is legitimate and useful, however, this site gathers various information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. In addition, developers promote it by employing deceptive download/installation set-ups that modify Internet browser settings without permission.

Rogue set-ups target Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Following infiltration, set-ups modify the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage settings by assigning them to search.mysafesearch.net.

They then stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (third party applications and/or browser plug-ins) to reassign these options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are forced to visit search.mysafesearch.net when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar.

These redirects significantly diminish the Internet browsing experience. Another downside is information tracking. Be aware that search.mysafesearch.net and helper objects continually record search queries, website URLs visited, pages viewed, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and other information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.

This data might contain personally identifiable details that are shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private information. Thus, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues. If you encounter unwanted redirects to search.mysafesearch.net, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to this site.

The Internet is full of fake search engines, all of which are virtually identical. As with search.mysafesearch.net, websites such as obifind.com, pro-search.me, g-search.pro, and many others, also claim to enhance the web browsing experience by generating improved search results and providing a number of other so-called 'useful features' (weather forecasts, currency exchange rates, quick access to popular websites, etc.).

Bear in mind, however, that fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers, whilst regular users receive no significant value. Rather than providing the features promised, search.mysafesearch.net and other fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and collect various user-system information.

How did search.mysafesearch.net install on my computer?

To promote search.mysafesearch.net, developers employ a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and hide all details of browser modifications within the "Custom" or "Advanced" options of the download/installation processes. Thus, skipping this section inadvertently grants set-ups permission to modify various browser settings. This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues and/or high-risk computer infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional apps and cancel those already included. The key to computer safety is caution.

Website promoting search.mysafesearch.net browser hijacker:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is search.mysafesearch.net?
• STEP 1. Remove search.mysafesearch.net related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove search.mysafesearch.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove search.mysafesearch.net browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.mysafesearch.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

search.mysafesearch.net redirect removal:

Remove search.mysafesearch.net-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “MPlayerX”,“NicePlayer”, or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers

Remove Safari browser hijackers:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

Change your homepage:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.

Change your default search engine:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

▼ Show Discussion