Search Symphony on Mac: what it is and how to remove it
Search Symphony is a potentially unwanted program that can be installed on Mac computers. Usually, users do that unknowingly when installing new software from a bundle.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps checked against Apple's current documentation and the security vendors' reports. We have not run the malware on a Mac. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Search Symphony: summary
| Distribution | Software bundles, fake Flash Player updates, deceptive ads, file-sharing platforms |
|---|---|
| Damage | Privacy issues, malware infections, additional PUP installation, financial losses |
| name | Search Symphony |
| Type | Mac virus, browser hijacker, Mac malware |
| Symptoms of infection | Some browser preferences are modified without your direct consent; search inquiries going through a chain of questionable portals; lots of ads in search results; severely diminished browsing speed |
| Altered browser settings | The new tab, default search engine, homepage |
| Removal | Scan the Mac with security software to find the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect for Mac scans for malware and unwanted programs. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 8 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Name | Search Symphony |
| Symptoms | A changed search engine |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | searchsymphony.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 22 July 2021 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is Search Symphony dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Jul 2021 · not reviewed since
Search Symphony Mac Virus – a browser hijacker that records browsing activities and causes redirects
Search Symphony is a potentially unwanted program that can be installed on Mac computers.
Usually, users do that unknowingly when installing new software from a bundle. Additional apps aren't disclosed, and if you rush through the installation process, all of them are automatically installed on your computer.
When the article's culprit infiltrates the system, whether with your direct approval or without it, it changes certain browser settings, particularly the default search engine, new tab, and homepage preferences. After doing so, the browser hijacker enables data-tracking, redirects, and ad injection.
These are the three main dangers that the Search Symphony Mac virus brings to the table.
As we've pointed out earlier, the article's culprit has data-tracking capabilities. It usually collects non-identifiable information, such as geolocations, browsing history, device/browser details, clicked links, search inquiries, etc. These details are used to customize ads specifically for you, making them very alluring.
That takes us to the second and third shady features of the browser hijacker for Mac users. Its ads might seem irresistible as their based on your browsing activities. Usually, browser hijacker ads appear in altered search results. Since Searchsymphony.com is a fake search engine, it redirects to legitimate providers like Google, Yahoo, etc., depending on your geolocation.
But the search results are riddled with ads. They're deemed deceptive as they usually have nothing in common with the web pages you'll land on if such ads are clicked. For example, an ad for a brand new TV might redirect you to a push notification virus domain.
The worst thing is that you may be forced to visit any of the article's culprit's affiliated domains even by trying to close the deceptive ads. Thus, please don't interact with these ads in any way, or you might risk being exposed to websites with tech support scams, gambling, porn, or even severe malware. The next chapter will show you how to eliminate the PUP from your Mac safely.
From our report of Jul 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Search Symphony
- Optimize your Mac and repair virus damage by using the software
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
searchsymphony.com
How to remove Search Symphony
How to remove Search Symphony from a Mac
Remove the app and what starts it, then check the browsers.
Step 1: Delete apps and downloads you did not intend to install
Open the Applications folder and your Downloads folder. Drag any app you did not install, and any disk image (
.dmg), installer (.pkg) or archive (.zip) that came from Search Symphony or a site you do not trust, to the Bin, then empty the Bin.Also check
~/Library/Application Supportfor a folder with the same name as the app you removed.Step 2: Remove unknown login items and background items
Open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Under Open at Login and Allow in the Background, switch off or remove anything you do not recognize, especially items whose developer is shown as an unknown name or that appeared on the day you ran the command.
Then open Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder and check
~/Library/LaunchAgents,/Library/LaunchAgentsand /Library/LaunchDaemons for property list (.plist) files you did not add. Drag suspicious ones to the Bin, then restart the Mac.Step 3: Check the browsers for extensions and changed settings
In Safari open Settings > Extensions and General (homepage). In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Firefoxabout:addons.Remove any extension you did not add, and reset the homepage and search engine if they changed. Browsers hold saved passwords and cookies, which is why the password step comes first.
Step 4: Quit what is running that you do not recognize
Open Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities, or search for it with Command + Space).
In the CPU or Network tab, look for a process you did not install or whose name is random, select it, click the stop button (the octagon with an X) and choose Quit or Force Quit.
Note the name first: you will look for the same name in the next steps. Malware that comes back after a restart is handled in the next two steps.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
From our report of Jul 2021 · not reviewed since
Remove Search Symphony Mac virus to stop dangerous redirects to shady portals
We're not saying that all websites you'll be redirected to will have bad intentions, but some of them could, so are you willing to risk your privacy and security to find that out? You're better of without the browser hijacker on your Mac. And you have two options to get rid of it.
The first one is automatic removal with the help of the reliable security tool. Download, install, update, and perform a full threat scan with this trustworthy software, and it will detect and remove Search Symphony from your computer's system along with all its components.
This method is highly recommended because proper security software would also identify any other unwelcomed guests and suggest removing them aswell. If you want to get your hands dirty and try to uninstall the browser hijacker yourself, please be warned that if any essential files or entires are overlooked, the infection could renew itself.
If you still want to do it manually, we'll guide you through the process. These illustrated instructions will help you remove Search Symphony from your Mac:
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
If you didn't find the browser hijacker in the Applications folder, you would have to look for it with a security tool. In some cases, potentially unwanted programs are purposely installed camouflaged in a different name. If, for some reason, you don't like the aforementioned security tool, you could try using the .
It's as powerful as the former one, but its GUI (Graphic User Interface) is more suitable for some users. Of course, you could choose another anti-malware tool, but please note that if Search Symphony hijacker slipped by the defenses of the tool you already own - you need an upgrade.
Proper security software is a must for every user that uses the internet regularly. Such software scans all incoming traffic and blocks the latest malware from gaining entry to your device. It will also prevent you from installing PUPs and inform you that you're about to visit a high-risk portal.
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
From our report of Jul 2021 · not reviewed since
Illustrated manuals to delete questionable extensions from Chrome and Safari browsers
Browser hijackers could also be installed as browser plug-ins.
Therefore this chapter will help you to look for and remove Search Symphony extension. It could have infected all browsers installed on your Mac, so we're providing instructions for the most popular browser and the default one on all Apple products.
We'll begin with Safari. Follow these instructions to get rid of all suspicious extensions from it:
When that's done, you have to proceed to the next browser, and since Google Chrome is the most popular browser in the world, it's safe to assume that you have it installed on your Mac. The whole process is fairly simple, but in order to help you, we provide detailed instructions:
After accomplishing these steps in continuation, Search Symphony virus, as well as the irritating ads and redirects, will be a thing of the past. Now you can reset your browser settings back to normal. But the whole removal process isn't done yet as you have to repair virus damage.
That includes restoring altered core system settings and deleting tracking cookies that hazardous websites might have stored on your Mac. While you can erase tracking cookies manually, essential system file modifications should be done with compatible system diagnostics software.
IT experts from Japan, strongly recommend entrusting the overall system's health to the time-tested software. It will automatically fix virus damage and optimize your Mac so it could reach peak performance. Furthermore, it can even protect your device from malware. If you have any questions about the removal of the browser hijacker or anything else, please feel free to contact us.
- Click Safari > Preferences...
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
- 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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Questions about Search Symphony
Is it safe to keep searchsymphony.com as my search engine?
It is not recommended. Searches through searchsymphony.com usually still return results, but the operator sees every query, often stores it with an identifier for your browser and shows extra ads or paid links. Some hijacked results lead to fake downloads or scam pages.
You also did not choose it, which means something changed your settings without asking and may still be installed. Set your own search engine back, remove the extension or program that set searchsymphony.com, and check the browser's other settings, such as the start page and notification permissions, for further changes made at the same time.
Did searchsymphony.com come with a program I installed?
Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as searchsymphony.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.
Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.
Why do my searches go to searchsymphony.com?
Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Search Symphony did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to searchsymphony.com.
The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.
Is it safe to keep searching with searchsymphony.com?
We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.
The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Search Symphony and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.
Which browsers does Search Symphony affect?
We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.
Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.
What does searchsymphony.com know about me?
It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.
After removing Search Symphony, delete the cookies and site data for searchsymphony.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.
I changed the search engine, but it switched back. Why?
The hijacker is still installed, and it rewrites the setting whenever the browser starts or the extension updates. Changing the setting is the last step, not the first. Find what controls it: the search settings page usually names the extension, and a greyed-out field means a policy.
Remove that source, restart the browser, then pick your search engine and delete the hijacker's entry from the list of saved search engines so it cannot be chosen by accident. Check again after a day, when extensions have had a chance to update.
Should I just switch to another browser?
It may not help. Installers that add hijackers usually target every browser on the PC, and system-level changes such as the hosts file, DNS or proxy affect all browsers at once. A new browser also leaves the hijacker's program and extension in place, collecting data in the old one.
Remove Search Symphony properly first. After that, use whichever browser you prefer; Chrome, Edge and Firefox all let you set and protect your own search engine. Import your bookmarks only after the old browser is clean.
Will resetting the browser remove Search Symphony?
A reset disables extensions, restores the default search engine, start page and new tab, and clears temporary data and cookies. It keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. For many hijackers that is enough.
It does not remove a program installed in Windows, policies in the registry, changes to the hosts file or DNS, or edited shortcuts, so Search Symphony can come back after a reset if one of those remains. Do the reset after removing the program and policies, not instead of it.
Will Fortect remove Search Symphony?
Fortect for Mac scans for malware and unwanted programs, and its free scan shows what it finds on your Mac before you decide anything.
For Search Symphony, follow the plan on this page as well: removing a launch item or an app is done in macOS itself, and a scanner cannot undo what was typed or entered on the infected Mac, such as saved passwords that were copied.
Change your passwords from another device first, and if the page tells you to erase the Mac, a scan is not a substitute. The free scan costs nothing and the full-featured product needs a license.
Sources
- Csoonline: 9 types of malware and how to recognize them (read October 7, 2026)
- Howtogeek: PUPs Explained: What is a "Potentially Unwanted Program"? (read October 7, 2026)
- Uirusu: Uirusu (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)