☑️ How to remove SearchMine from your Mac
– Reviews News
If you're using a Mac, that doesn't mean you're fully protected against malware. There are many ways to compromise a Mac, and SearchMine is one of the most common types of malware. If you don't already know, this article will show you what SearchMine is and how to remove SearchMine from your Mac.
To begin with, SearchMine is a rogue browser extension that usually gets installed on Mac without user's knowledge. Once installed, it will make searchmine.net the default search engine, show annoying ads and send search results to advertisers.
Furthermore, it adds a toolbar to the browser and starts tracking and collecting user's online activity to sell to third parties. Due to the lack of an applications folder and lack of inclusion in the Finder's list of installed programs, it is difficult to find. But how did it get to your Mac in the first place? Let's find out.
How did SearchMine get to your Mac?
SearchMine is categorized as potentially unwanted program (PUP) and gets installed on Mac via bundle of software. Although this software may be legitimate, it usually comes bundled with SearchMine and other programs that you don't need.
Therefore, when installing new software, it is important to know the website you are downloading from and to review any bundled programs that may be included. Check the list of programs you don't recognize and uncheck them before continuing.
However, if you already have SearchMine, skip to the next section to learn how to get rid of it.
4 Ways to Remove SearchMine on Mac
Here are 4 ways to remove SearchMine from your Mac Well, if you have fallen into the SearchMine trap. Let's start with the simplest.
1. Get Rid of SearchMine from Mac Using System Preferences
Hijackers take advantage of profiles to gain access to browser settings. In this method, we will use Mac System Preferences to prevent browser hijackers from preventing you from reverting to default browser settings.
Step 1: From the Dock, open System Preferences or click the Apple icon in the top left and select System Preferences.
Step 2: Access profiles.
Notes: If you don't have any configuration profiles on your Mac, the profile icon won't appear.
Step 3: Press the '–' button to remove a malicious profile from the list if you find anything suspicious.
Pay attention to profiles called AdminPrefs, Safari Settings or Chrome Settings.
Notes: The displayed image is for reference only.
And this way you will be freed from SearchMine hijacker. But what if SearchMine comes with an app included? Well, we can delete it from there as well. Follow.
2. Remove SearchMine and all associated files
This method will search your Mac's Applications folder, Libraries folder, and Login folder to find the SearchMine application.
Notes: Some images included in this section are for illustrative purposes only.
Step 1: Press 'Cmd + Space' on your keyboard to launch Spotlight, type activity tracker, and press Enter.
Step 2: Now search for any process named 'SearchMine'.
Step 3: If you detect one, select it and click the Stop icon.
Step 4: Select the Force Quit button when prompted.
5nd step : Go to Applications and search for SearchMine.
Step 6: If you find one, right-click on it and select "Move to Trash".
Here. Your Mac is now free of SearchMine. You can verify this by looking at the login items. That is how.
7nd step : From the Dock, go to System Preferences.
Step 8: Go to 'Users and groups'.
Step 9: Click the Login Items tab.
Step 10Note: If you find anything suspicious that could be a SearchMine browser hijacker, click the padlock to make changes.
11nd step : Type your password.
Step 12: Select the item and click the '–' button to delete it.
Double-checking will prevent SearchMine from returning to your Mac. However, if SearchMine still appears, here's how to find it on your drive.
Step 13: In the Finder, choose "Go to Folder" from the Go menu or just press "Shift + Cmd + G" on your keyboard.
Step 14: Now paste each location mentioned below, one by one, into the search field and press Go after each location.
~/Library/LaunchAgents /Library/LaunchAgents /Library/LaunchDaemons /Library/Application Support
Make sure each folder is free from malware-related files. Get rid of it if you find it, but be careful not to delete any crucial files.
3. Remove SearchMine from Chrome, Safari and Firefox
Since the steps differ for web browsers, we have listed the steps for each separately. Choose your web browser and follow corresponding steps to remove SearchMine.
A. How to get rid of SearchMine from Chrome
Step 1: Open Chrome and paste the following address in the address bar.
chrome://settings/
Step 2– Select Reset settings from the sidebar and click “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
Step 3– Tap the Reset Settings button in the dialog box to confirm Chrome reset.
Step 4Note: Now paste the following address in the address bar to open the Chrome policy.
chrome: // policy
If you find suspicious policies, continue following the steps; otherwise jump to Step 7.
Step 5: Press 'Cmd + Space' on your keyboard to open Spotlight, type terminal appand press Enter.
Step 6: Paste the commands mentioned below one after another.
defaults write com.google.Chrome HomepageIsNewTabPage -bool false defaults write com.google.Chrome NewTabPageLocation -string "https://www.google.com/" defaults write com.google.Chrome HomepageLocation -string » https://www. google.com/” default remove com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderSearchURL default remove com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderNewTabURL default remove com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderName
Step 7: Select Chrome from the menu bar and click Quit Google Chrome. Restart now.
Here. Chrome will start with the default settings. But what if you use Safari? Follow the steps below.
B. How to remove SearchMine from Safari
You should be aware that deleting data may sign you out of certain websites or change your behavior.
Notes: Some images shown below are for illustrative purposes only.
Step 1: Press 'Cmd + Space' on your keyboard to open Spotlight, type safari, and press Enter.
Step 2: Go to Preferences in the Safari menu.
Step 3: Go to the Advanced tab.
Step 4– Check the box next to “Show Develop menu in menu bar”.
Step 5: Now click on Develop in the menu bar and choose Clear caches.
Step 6: Go to the Safari menu and click Clear History.
Notes: Choose all history from the drop-down menu and tap Clear History.
Step 7: Return to Preferences.
Step 8– Select the Privacy tab and click “Manage Website Data” to open a list of websites that store your browsing data.
Step 9– Select questionable websites, tap Remove and click Done.
Step 10: Go to the General tab and check the home page.
Make sure this is the one you want to use as your homepage.
Step 11: Finally, go to the Extensions tab to check if there is any malicious one.
Step 12: Select it and click Uninstall.
Here! You have successfully cleaned the Safari browser. Follow to see how to remove SearchMine from Firefox.
C. How to remove SearchMine from Firefox
Step 1: Open Firefox, and in the address bar, paste the following address and press Enter.
about: support
Step 2: Click Update Firefox on the right side.
Step 3: In the dialog box, click the Update Firefox button.
The browser will restart and return to its default settings.
4. Use Third-Party Tools to Remove SearchMine Quickly
You can use the third party tool if you don't want to follow a step by step process to remove SearchMine browser hijacker. One such tool is Malwarebytes, which we've covered extensively.
Frequently Asked Questions About SearchMine on Mac
1. Why does Chrome keep telling me I have a virus?
This is most likely because unwanted or malicious software may be installed on your computer:
2. Does Apple notify you if you have a virus?
Apple does not notify users of virus alerts. These people are scammers who send fake messages claiming that your device contains viruses. Be careful.
Clear browser hijacker
Browser hijackers like SearchMine are common, but only a few users take the necessary precautions not to let malware take over their search or, for that matter, see what they are looking for. There is a reason behind the name SearchMine; extracts your research data and sells it on the market. As always, prevention beats firefighting when it comes to protecting your PC from viruses and malware.
SOURCE: Reviews News
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