How to stop redirects to searchfox.xyz
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchfox.xyz?
Searchfox.xyz is a fake search engine promoted through a browser-hijacking application designed to modify the web browser's settings. Most users end up having their browsers hijacked unintentionally. Neither browser hijackers nor fake search engines are trustworthy.
Searchfox.xyz in detail
Depending on the user's geolocation, searchfox.xyz shows results generated by Bing (bing.com), Google (google.com), and possibly other search engines. Searchfox.xyz could also redirect users to potentially malicious pages, show misleading results or results generated by shady search engines.
Typically, fake search engines are promoted through browser-hijacking apps designed to change the web browser's settings. Most of these apps change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab and do not allow users to undo these changes while they are present.
| Name | searchfox.xyz browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Fake search engines in general
Fake search engines (and browser hijackers) can be used to gather information about users. Their creators may use them to collect sensitive data. Either way, it is strongly recommended not to use fake search engines (and browser hijackers). More examples of fake search engines are search.3bamfz.com, search.softsurf.xyz, ib-search.com.
How did searchfox.xyz install on my computer?
Browser-hijacking apps are distributed using fake installers, deceptive ads (by designing them to run specific scripts), installers for other programs. Users download or install these apps alongside other programs when they do not change "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings available in downloaders or installers.
In other cases, users end up having their browsers hijacked by using installers downloaded from untrustworthy pages (for example, from pages claiming that the operating system or software installed on it is out of date).
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Always check downloaders and installers that have ticked checkboxes or settings like "Custom", "Advanced" for optional downloads or installations and deselect unwanted apps. Use official websites and direct links as sources for downloading files and programs.
Also, do not trust advertisements appearing on pages related to adult dating, gambling, and other sites that could be using rogue advertising networks. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Searchfox.xyz redirects to google.com (GIF):
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is searchfox.xyz?
- STEP 1. Remove searchfox.xyz related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove searchfox.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove searchfox.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove searchfox.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
searchfox.xyz redirect removal:
Remove searchfox.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 searchfox.xyz website?
The earnings of the searchfox.xyz creators directly depend on the number of page visitors.
Is visiting searchfox.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Searchfox.xyz and other fake search engines (and browser hijackers) can be designed to gather various information about their visitors (users).
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Usually, browser-hijacking applications are distributed using browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, and other social engineering tactics, or installers for other software (by bundling them with other programs).
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the system and eliminate all detected browser-hijacking applications. When multiple browser hijackers are present, they have to be removed at once, and it can be difficult to achieve it manually because apps of this type can install one another. Therefore, it is recommended to use specialized software to remove browser hijackers.
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