Search.macsafefinder.com promotes sponsored ads and secretly modifies your browser

Search.macsafefinder.com (by Linkury, Ltd.) pretends to be a useful search engine. However, it is also known as a browser hijacker that arbitrarily modifies user’s browser settings without his/her consent. Typically, it targets Mozilla Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer users.
At first sight, it may seem a very reliable search engine since Mac Safe Finder looks similar to Google, Yahoo or Bing. However, users should be aware that after the installation it alters new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine by assigning to hxxp://www.search.macsafefinder.com.
The changes may deceive you as being useful because once you perform a search, it displays the results as a “Yahoo search.” At this point, we want to assure you that this browser hijacker only PRETENDS to operate in the Yahoo search. You can check the link provided in the address box and compare it to the one in verified Yahoo search engine – they are different.
In fact, this questionable program is a variant of Safe Finder virus, which is also associated with other browser-hijacking tools promoting fake search engines such as Search.safewebfinder.com or Search.websafefinder.com.
Even though Mac Safe Finder is not a virus, it may stealthily install potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and plug-ins. They typically reassign browser settings mentioned above to hxxps://www.search.macsafefinder.com every time user tries to change them to the previous state. Thus, search.macsafefinder.com removal may become a complicated and time-consuming process.
The primary goal of this fake search engine is to generate revenue by some clicks obtained on the sponsored ads that are displayed among search results.[1] Usually, in terms of use, the developers warn the users that they are not responsible for the content of those ads or the websites’ you may be redirected to.

Mac Safe Finder is not an exception – the developer (later mentioned as “Linkury Ltd.”), clearly states – “Any material downloaded or otherwise obtained through the use of the Linkury Ltd. services is done at user’s discretion and risk, and user will be solely responsible for any damage to its computer system, or another device, or loss of data that results from the download of any such material.”
We strongly advise you to avoid clicking on any types of ads since they may redirect you to suspicious websites that might distribute high-risk computer infections[2]. If you decided to remove search.macsafefinder.com, our IT specialists suggest using FortectIntego or any other reliable security software.
Avoid downloading applications from unauthorized developers
The so-called browser hijacker may spread by taking advantage of computer users who are in a rush. They choose Quick/Recommended installation process and are not able to deny the installation of a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that is hidden among “Optional Components” of the regular application.
Therefore, we advise choosing Custom/Advanced settings while installing software. Also, you can always protect your files and data by using security software. Experts from Zondervirus.nl state that it is best to use antivirus and anti-malware or anti-spyware software in tandem for best results.[3]
Tips to eliminate search.macsafefinder.com
After getting infected with the described program, you have two options to remove search.macsafefinder.com virus – automatically or manually.
Be aware that your computer might not only be attacked by Mac Safe Finder, but also by other viruses that deceive you with the behavior of a “regular” app while stealthily performing suspicious activities. Thus, our team suggests choosing automatic search.macsafefinder.com removal option and using a reliable security software.
You should download it from authorized developers as mentioned above. After the installation, let it scan your computer files thoroughly and detect possible threads. It is the safest option to remove various types of malicious programs and protect your data.
If you opt to eliminate search.macsafefinder.com manually, you IT specialists have prepared a detailed step-by-step guide provided below.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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