Mac Safe Search is a browser hijacker that targets Mac users

Mac Safe Search is Google Chrome browser extension that operates as a browser hijacker. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) aims at Mac OS X users and offers to improve search results. However, it can infiltrate the machine unnoticed and set Macsafesearch.net as default search provider without leaving a chance to get rid of it easily.
| Summary | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mac Safe Search |
| Official website | Macsafesearch.net |
| Targeted OS | Mac OS X |
| Targeted browser | Google Chrome |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Danger level | Medium. Affects web browser to control browsing sessions and redirect to sponsored sites |
| Symptoms |
Changed Chrome's homepage, default search engine or/and new tab address; redirects to affiliate sites, delivery of ads. |
| Distribution methods | Software bundles |
| To uninstall Macsafesearch, install FortectIntego and run a full system scan | |
The main page of the Macsafesearch.net seems legitimate and barely differs from well-known search engines. However, the simple and fresh design is misleading. The browser hijacker is capable of controlling user’s browsing sessions and preferences.
However, legitimate programs and services always provide EULA[1] and Privacy Policy. Creators of Macsafesearch.net included End User’s License but forgot about Privacy Policy. Hence, it’s unknown whether it can track information about users, and if it does so, how these details are treated.
It’s extremely important to be aware of data tracking and sharing activities because faulty usage of these details can lead to privacy-related issues. Therefore, if you value your security you should remove Macsafesearch.net immediately.
The first and the most important task for Macsafesearch.net virus is to alter browser’s settings. It might change default homepage, built-in search engine, and new tab URL address. It might alter browser’s shortcuts and make some system changes to strengthen its presence and avoid elimination.
As soon as Mac Safe Search virus gets control over Chrome, it starts intervening browsing sessions by:
- altering search results;
- redirecting to sponsored websites;
- displaying intrusive pop-ups, banners, in-text and other ads.
There’s no doubt that such activities complicate browsing the web. Additionally, they might be dangerous too. Despite the fact that this Chrome add-on is advertised as a tool that improves and secures searching the web, it’s not true. Specialists report about Macsafesearch.net redirect tendencies that might lead to malware attack or being scammed.
According to the research data and users’ reports, redirects to drive-downloads, tech support scam, and phishing sites[2] are common after browser hijacker. Though, these activities should not be accepted. We highly recommend quick and simple Macsafesearch.net removal with FortectIntego.

Suspicious Chrome extension cannot be downloaded directly
Nevertheless, the extension is available on MacSafeSearch website; the “Add To Chrome” button is not working. It redirects to the non-existent Chrome Web Store website. Inability to get the extension directly means that the hijacker can sneak into computers unnoticed.
Specialists from Viruset.no[3] tell that this kind of cyber threats spread bundled with freeware or shareware. This method allows adding suspicious extensions or other PUPs as optional programs. The biggest advantage of such distribution method is that it gives a chance to get installed silently.
Quick/Recommended installers of freeware do not disclose about third-party apps that are spreading together. However, they are still installed by default. Fortunately, using Custom/Advanced settings allows opting out third-party apps and avoid their negative features.
Uninstall Mac Safe Search
In order to remove Macsafesearch, you have to access Chrome’s extensions and click the trash can icon next to the extension. Then in the appeared Confirm Removal dialog box window click Remove option. The hijacker should be gone.
However, we highly recommend doing the same with other questionable extensions that may have been installed without your knowledge too. Moreover, reset the browser to stop tracking activities, and check if any suspicious apps haven’t appeared in your Applications list.
If you have some problems with Macsafesearch.net removal and the hijacker keeps coming back, we highly recommend switching to the automatic elimination mode. This method requires scanning the device with anti-malware software and delete hijacker-related components automatically.
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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