Search.searchmecenter.com Redirect (Mac)

What is search.searchmecenter.com?

search.searchmecenter.com is a fake search engine identical to search.search-bee.com and offers improved search results, thereby giving the impression of legitimacy, however, it is promoted using a potentially unwanted browser-hijacking program (PUP) called SearchMeCenter that modifies browser options without users’ permission.

In addition, search.searchmecenter.com and SearchMeCenter continually record information relating to web browsing activity.

Immediately after infiltration, SearchMeCenter hijacks Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox and stealthily assigns the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine options to search.searchmecenter.com These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that SearchMeCenter continually reassigns browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and ultimately users are encouraged to visit search.searchmecenter.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar.

This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. Another important issue is information tracking - search.searchmecenter.com and SearchMeCenter are designed to monitor record information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other information that often includes personal details.

Furthermore, developers share these details with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people misuse private information to generate revenue. Therefore, data tracking can lead to to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you eliminate the SearchMeCenter browser hijacker and never return to search.searchmecenter.com

Threat Summary:

Name	SearchMeCenter 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.

The Internet is full of fake search engines that share similarities with search.searchmecenter.com The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) search.anilopo.com, search.opengross.com, weknow.ac, and omni-search.net.

As with search.searchmecenter.com, these sites also claim to enhance the browsing experience, however, their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers and deliver no real value for regular users. Fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information.

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

search.searchmecenter.com has an official download/promotion website, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, it often infiltrates systems without consent, since developers proliferate this PUP using intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

Intrusive advertisements redirect users to malicious websites and execute scripts that stealthily download and install PUPs (or even malware). "Bundling", on the other hand, is stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs together with regular software/apps.

Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users are likely to click various advertisements and skip download/installation steps. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs - users expose their systems to risk of infection and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Select "Custom/Advanced" settings, carefully observe each download/installation step, and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

You are also advised to avoid using third party download/installation tools, since developers monetize them by promoting ("bundling") PUPs. Software should be downloaded from official sources only using direct download links. Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design.

Despite this, they typically lead to dubious websites (such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on). Most are delivered by adware-type PUPs.

Therefore, if you encounter suspicious redirects, eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

SearchMeCenter browser hijacker in Safari web browser:

Deceptive application installer promoting SearchMeCenter browser hijacker:

SearchMeCenter's extension in Safari web browser:

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

Video showing how to remove browser redirects to search.searchmecenter.com using Combo Cleaner:

search.searchmecenter.com redirect removal:

Remove search.searchmecenter.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.

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