Search.elifaint.com Redirect (Mac)

What is search.elifaint.com?

There are hundreds of fake search engines on the internet, including search.elifaint.com (or searchv.elifaint.com). Although developers present this site as legitimate and promote it by offering an enhanced browsing experience, do not use it.

This search engine is distributed via rogue downloaders/installers that usually change default browser settings. Furthermore, search.elifaint.com records browsing-related information and potentially other data.

Typically, rogue downloaders/installers target popular browsers such as Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. They modify browser settings. In this case, they assign search.elifaint.com as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL.

Therefore, users with browsers hijacked/infiltrated in this way are forced to visit this website when they open browsers, new tabs, or enter search queries into the URL bar. Rogue downloaders/installers install browser apps (extensions, plug-ins, or add-ons) called "helper objects".

These apps ensure that users cannot change the assigned settings - they reassign them when modification attempts are made. The only way to avoid search.elifaint.com is to uninstall these "helper objects".

Another issue is that "helper objects" and search.elifaint.com record data such as URLs of visited websites, search queries, geo-locations, IP addresses, and other browsing-related information. They might also gather personal, sensitive details that are shared with third parties (cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue.

Thus, having unwanted apps (such as "helper objects") installed and using fake search engines can lead to serious problems such as online privacy issues, problems with browsing safety, or even more serious issues such as identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	searchv.elifaint.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.fegline.com, search.blueslaluz.com, and search.getmybestyear.com are just some examples of other fake search engines. Most search engines of this type are very similar and promoted by developers as legitimate and useful. Unfortunately, few provide the functions promised (tools, features, or other benefits).

These fake search engines provide no real value for regular users and are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

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

As mentioned above, search.elifaint.com is promoted using rogue downloaders/installers and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They know that many users rush download/installation processes and skip steps. Developers use this to their advantage.

Typically, all details regarding modification of browser options/settings are hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" sections of the aforementioned procedures.

By rushing and skipping download/installation, many users inadvertently grant rogue set-ups permission to modify browser settings. These actions often expose systems to risk of computer infections and problems relating to privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Take precautions while browsing the internet and downloading/installing software, especially if it is freeware. Do not skip steps of the download/installation processes. Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options of the download/installation set-ups and deselect all additionally-included applications.

Download software from official sources only and using direct download links. Various third party downloaders and installers often include rogue software. Do not use these tools. When clicked, intrusive ads often redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on).

Typically, these advertisements are delivered by adware-type (potentially unwanted) apps. If you encounter suspicious redirects, check your browser and remove all dubious extensions. You are also advised to check the list of installed programs on your operating system.

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

PDF King installer promoting search.elifaint.com:

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Website promoting search.elifaint.com:

Search.elifaint.com extension in Safari web browser:

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

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

search.elifaint.com redirect removal:

Remove search.elifaint.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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