Macsafesearch.net Redirect (Mac)

What is macsafesearch.net?

macsafesearch.net is a fake Internet search engine that, according to the developers, enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results. Judging on appearance alone, macsafesearch.net may seem similar to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate search engines.

Therefore, many users believe that this website is also legitimate, however, developers promote macsafesearch.net using a browser-hijacking application called Mac Safe Search. Be aware that macsafesearch.net and Mac Safe Search collect information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.

Mac Safe Search targets Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Immediately after infiltration, it assigns macsafesearch.net as the default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage settings. Although these changes may not seem significant, users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that Mac Safe Search continually reassigns browser options when attempts are made to change them. In this way, it prevents users from returning browsers to their previous states. Ultimately, users are forced to visit macsafesearch.net when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience.

Once a query is entered, macsafesearch.net redirects users to Yahoo - a legitimate search engine. Therefore, users end up searching the Internet via Yahoo. Note that macsafesearch.net gives no real value for regular users. Mac Safe Search and macsafesearch.net are designed to record IP addresses, search queries, URLs visited, and other similar information.

The data might contain personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people commonly misuse private data to generate revenue. This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall the Mac Safe Search browser hijacker and never return to macsafesearch.net

Threat Summary:

Name	Mac Safe Search 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.

macsafesearch.net shares many similarities with dozens of other fake search engines, such as search.pitchofcase.com, go-search.me, and home.searchpulse.net All claim to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved results and, in some cases, providing other "useful features" (e.g., weather forecasts, quick access to popular websites, etc.), however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.

These sites are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than providing the functions promised, fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive data. Furthermore, some generate misleading search results and intrusive advertisements that lead to dubious (potentially, malicious) websites. Therefore, using fake search engines risks various computer infections.

How did macsafesearch.net install on my computer?

As mentioned above, macsafesearch.net is promoted via Mac Safe Search. This browser hijacker has an official download website, however, in most cases, Mac Safe Search infiltrates systems without permission, since developers proliferate it using "bundling" and intrusive advertising methods.

"Bundling" is stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps. Developers hide "bundled" apps within various sections (for example, "Advanced/Custom" options) of the download or installation processes, whilst intrusive advertisements redirect to malicious websites and even run scripts that stealthily download and install malware/PUPs.

In summary, skipping download/installation steps and clicking various advertisements exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

You are also advised to avoid using third party download/installation tools, since criminals monetize them using the "bundling" method (promoting PUPs). Download your apps from official sources only, using direct download links. Note that intrusive advertisements may seem legitimate, but often lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious sites.

Most intrusive ads are delivered by adware-type PUPs. If you continually encounter suspicious redirects, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Having a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and running at all times is also paramount.

Website promoting Mac Safe Search:

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

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

macsafesearch.net redirect removal:

Remove macsafesearch.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.

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