Search.linkeymac.com Redirect (Mac)

What is search.linkeymac.com?

Developers present search.linkeymac.com as a high-end Internet search engine that supposedly generates improved search results and, therefore, enhances the browsing experience. Initially, search.linkeymac.com may seem similar to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate search engines.

Therefore, many users believe that search.linkeymac.com is also legitimate. In fact, this site records various user-system information that might contain personal details. Furthermore, developers promote search.linkeymac.com via browser-hijacking download/installation set-ups that modify browser options without users' consent.

Following infiltration, rogue set-ups hijack Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome browsers, stealthily assigning the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL options to search.linkeymac.com. Although these changes may seem insignificant, users are not able to revert them.

Research shows that set-ups also install several "helper objects" (third party potentially unwanted programs and/or browser extensions). These apps/plug-ins reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them.

Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit search.linkeymac.com when they open a new browser tab and/or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience.

As mentioned above, search.linkeymac.com (and helper objects) continually record user-system information (mostly relating to browsing activity) that might contain personally identifiable details. Developers sell this information to third parties. Therefore, information-tracking apps pose a direct threat to your privacy.

Some helper objects misuse computer resources to perform various background tasks (such as stealthily mining cryptocurrency). In doing so, PUPs/add-ons significantly diminish overall computer performance. If you encounter redirects to search.linkeymac.com, uninstall all suspicious applications/browser plug-ins and never visit this deceptive website again.

Threat Summary:

Name	linkeymac.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac 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.

search.linkeymac.com is identical to search.webfindersearch.com, search.webfinderresults.com, search.macsafefinder.com, and many others. In fact, all fake search engines are very similar.

By offering various 'useful features' (improved search results, weather forecasts, quick access to popular websites, etc.), they often trick users into believing that these sites are legitimate and useful, however, the only purpose of all fake search engines is to generate revenue for the developers.

Most are useless for regular users. Only a small fraction deliver the features promised. In most cases, fake search engines record various private information and cause unwanted redirects. Some are also known to generate fake search results and/or deliver 'malvertising ads'.

These results and ads usually lead to rogue sites. Furthermore, some malicious ads execute scripts designed to download/install malware (or other PUPs).

How did search.linkeymac.com install on my computer?

Criminals employ browser-hijacking set-ups to promote search.linkeymac.com. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Research shows that many users rush the download/installation processes and skip steps.

Developers know this and, therefore, hide details of browser modifications within the "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of the download installation processes.

Developers do not disclose this information properly. By skipping steps, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to change various settings, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

As well as malicious ads, PUPs are distributed using the bundling method. Thus, be cautious when browsing the Internet and especially when downloading/installing software. Criminals put a great deal of time and effort into designing malicious ads.

They usually appear legitimate, however, malicious ads are distinguishable for their redirects: most lead to suspicious websites such as surveys, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc. If you encounter such ads, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.

Note that criminals monetize third party download/installation tools by promoting third party software (the bundling method). Therefore, avoid using these tools (your software should be downloaded from official/trusted websites and, preferably, using a direct download link).

During download/installation, carefully analyze each step (especially the "Custom/Advanced" settings) and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. The key to computer safety is caution.

Website promoting search.linkeymac.com 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.linkeymac.com?
• STEP 1. Remove search.linkeymac.com related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove search.linkeymac.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove search.linkeymac.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.linkeymac.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove search.linkeymac.com browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

search.linkeymac.com redirect removal:

Remove search.linkeymac.com-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