Safesearchmac.com – a browser hijacker that collects anonymous information about its users
Safesearchmac.com is a questionable application that intrudes users machines with bundling[1] and makes unwanted modifications to Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox or other browsers. Such fake engines usually try to trick users that they are legitimate and useful. However, browser hijackers can compromise virtual and computer safety if used carelessly.
| SUMMARY | |
| Name | Safesearchmac.com / Safe Search Mac |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Official website | Safesearchmac.com |
| Distribution | Software bundling, official website download |
| Symptoms | Invasive ads, redirects, altered browser settings, etc. |
| Main dangers | Malware contamination, loss of personal data/money |
| Elimination | For automatic elimination, download and install FortectIntego. Alternatively, check your manual instructions below this article |
Safe Search Mac is presented as a browser extension that allows Mac users to view “improved” search results. In reality, these “improvements” are only made to benefit browser hijacker authors. However, users are not cared for and are left to deal with an annoying program the spams their browsers with ads and redirects. Thus, to eliminate the problem, you have to remove Safesearchmac.com virus.
Soon after Safe Search Mac hijack, your browser settings are altered, and the address of new tab, homepage, and search engine are set to intruder’s developed one. While some users might find these changes irrelevant, they soon notice that navigating to certain websites (like the preferred homepage or anti-virus site) becomes impossible. A browser hijacker also prevents users from setting default parameters on their browsers.
These browser changes are made to deliver advertisements in various forms. Ads can be of miscellaneous content, including both legitimate websites and suspicious ones. While some might find the content intriguing, we highly suggest you refrain yourself from clicking on any ads or links in redirected sites.
Third-party content displayed is usually one of the sponsors. If users are tempted by an advertisement and click on it, it helps PUP developers to generate pay-per-click revenue. However, redirects can also link victims to phishing,[2] fake update and malware-ridden websites. Thus, the possession of Safe Search Mac might compromise users' computer safety and put personal information at risk.
Another alarming feature is the data gathering. Safe Search Mac developers collect a significant amount of non-personally identifiable information, including:
- IP address;
- hardware;
- software;
- configuration;
- operating system information;
- browser type;
- usage patterns;
- search terms, etc.
This information is collected with the help of various tracking technologies, including JavaScrips, web data, DOM data, cookies, beacons, third-party API’s, etc.
Personal information might be collected and stored if users enter it themselves. So, email addresses, names, social security numbers and even bank data might be collected. In case the company merger or sales of assets, this information might be transferred, too:
If the Company sells all or part of its business or makes a sale or transfer of its assets or is otherwise involved in a merger or transfer of all or a material part of its business, the Company may transfer your information to the party or parties involved in the transaction as part of that transaction.
All in all, we highly advise not to delay Safesearchmac.com removal. To make sure that all hijacker's components are eliminated, download and install FortectIntego. This security software can also check your system for other malware infections and quickly delete them.
Unwanted programs can hide within software bundles
According to research conducted by senzavirus.it,[3] browser hijackers are typically not installed intentionally and are not that popular programs altogether. To boost their popularity, developers often employ a marketing technique called software bundling. Freeware creators often hide additional components within their installers. Users typically pick Recommended/Quick installation mode which does not disclose the full lineup of the offered programs.
To avoid optional installs, users should always rely on Advanced/Custom settings. This way, the additional components can be viewed and eliminated before they get into victims PCs unnoticed.
Eliminate Safesearchmac.com and keep your search history private
There are two methods available for Safesearchmac.com removal: manual or automatic. Both of them are viable; however, you need to pick one that suits you best.
If you want to remove Safe Search Mac virus quickly and effortlessly, we suggest you download and install reputable security software. After you perform a full system scan, you will be able to be sure that no malware is threatening your virtual and computer safety anymore.
Alternatively, you can also get rid of Safesearchmac.com by checking our guide below this article. Make sure you follow each step attentively as incorrect elimination procedure might lead to reinfection of the unwanted app.
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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