Search.sfmac.com Redirect (Mac)

What is search.sfmac.com?

search.sfmac.com is another fake search engine promoted by Safe Finder. Judging on appearance alone, search.sfmac.com may seem legitimate and useful, since developers claim that it generates improved results.

In fact, this site is often promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups that modify browser options without users’ permission. Furthermore, search.sfmac.com continually gathers information relating to web browsing activity.

Rogue set-ups usually target the most popular browsers: Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. They hijack these browsers and stealthily assign the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to search.sfmac.com.

Furthermore, set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (third party applications and/or browser plug-ins) to reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, unless "helper objects" are uninstalled, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states.

Ultimately, users are forced to visit search.sfmac.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. In addition, once a search query is entered, search.sfmac.com redirects users to search.yahoo.com. Therefore users end up searching via Yahoo, a legitimate search engine.

This makes search.sfmac.com useless and redundant, as it provides no value. Furthermore, search.sfmac.com (and "helper objects") continually gather information relating to browsing activity. Collected data usually includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

These people generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to search.sfmac.com, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution.

Threat Summary:

Name	search.sfmac.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.

The internet is full of fake search engines that share similarities with search.sfmac.com - linkey-search.com, search.pensirot.com, find.coinup.org, and search.ewatchseries.live are just some examples, and the list goes on.

All claim to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved results and other "useful features" (e.g., shortcuts to popular websites, local weather forecasts, local/worldwide news, and so on). As with search.sfmac.com, these sites have one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than giving any real value for regular users, fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and record data, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a threat to your privacy. In addition, some feed users with misleading results and intrusive ads (typically leading to dubious websites). Thus, using fake search engines can lead to serious system infections.

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

As mentioned above, search.sfmac.com is often promoted using rogue downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps.

Therefore, all details regarding modification of browser options are hidden within various sections (typically "Custom" or "Advanced" settings) of the installation process. Furthermore, many users rush these procedures and skip steps.

In doing so, they inadvertently grant set-ups permission to change options, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Potentially unwanted applications are distributed using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements that redirect to dubious websites and run scripts designed to download/install malware. To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software.

Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Opt-out of third party software and decline offers to download/install it. Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by promoting ("bundling") rogue apps.

Remember that intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, but often redirect to dubious websites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, surveys, and so on. Most are delivered by rogue adware-type applications. Therefore, if you encounter intrusive ads, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Website promoting search.sfmac.com:

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

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

search.sfmac.com redirect removal:

Remove search.sfmac.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