How to remove search.softsurf.xyz from the settings of a browser?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of address is search.softsurf.xyz?
Search.softsurf.xyz is a fake search engine. Usually, fake search engines are promoted through browser-hijacking applications designed to hijack browsers by changing their settings. It is worth mentioning that users who end up on search.softsurf.xyz may be redirected to other pages such as searchmarquis.com and directsearchapp.com.
Users of browsers hijacked by search.softsurf.xyz can see this address in the settings of the new tab page and default search engine. Depending on the geolocation of its users, search.softsurf.xyz can show results generated by nearbyme.io, bing.com, and possibly other search engines.
Search.softsurf.xyz can redirect users to questionable pages and show results containing links to untrustworthy pages. Another important detail is that browsers hijacked by search.softsurf.xyz have the "Managed by your organization" feature added to them.
| Name | search.softsurf.xyz browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 13.225.221.114 |
| 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. |
Search.softsurf.xyz in general
Search.softsurf.xyz is a fake search engine that could redirect users to shady web pages (or show results generated by untrustworthy search engines). Users do not such search engines voluntarily. In most cases, browsers get hijacked after the installation of a potentially unwanted application (PUA)/a browser hijacker.
More examples of fake search engines are searchmime.com, ib-search.com, and tabsearch.net. Fake search engines can be designed to collect various information about their users. That information might be misused for malicious purposes.
How did search.softsurf.xyz install on my computer?
Most browser-hijacking apps are distributed through downloaders and installers for other programs, fake installers, shady advertisements. Downloaders and installers can contain optional downloads and installations. If users do not deselect them, they download or install both wanted and unwanted programs.
Usually, unwanted apps can be deselected in "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings available in downloaders and installers used to distribute them. Ads can download or install unwanted apps only if they are designed to run certain scripts and users click on them.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download apps (and files) from legitimate, official web pages. Avoid using unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, and similar pages and clicking on advertisements that questionable pages have on them. Also, deselect undesired apps before downloading or installing programs used for their distribution.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Search.softsurf.xyz redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Search.softsurf.xyz in Chrome's settings as the new tab page:
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.softsurf.xyz?
- STEP 1. Remove search.softsurf.xyz related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.softsurf.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.softsurf.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.softsurf.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
search.softsurf.xyz redirect removal:
Remove search.softsurf.xyz 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit search.softsurf.xyz website?
The revenue of a website depends on the number of visitors. The bigger the number of search.softsurf.xyz visitors is, the more money its creators earn.
Is visiting search.softsurf.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Search.softsurf.xyz could be a threat to online privacy. It is known that fake search engines (web pages like search.softsurf.xyz) are likely to be designed to collect information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking applications are distributed using social engineering tactics, for example, browser notifications, intrusive advertisements. Also, they can be bundled together with other programs (included in downloaders and installers).
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove search.softsurf.xyz browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate existing browser hijackers. All present browser hijackers should be eliminated at once. Otherwise, they might reinstall one another and prevent users from undoing the changes made by them. It can be difficult to get rid of browser hijackers manually. Thus, it is recommended to remove them with specialized software.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion