How to remove browser hijacker on Safari

Browser hijacking, also known as 'pop-up phishing', involves fraudulent messages that unexpectedly appear when users are surfing the web. Cybercriminals often infect legitimate websites with malicious code, causing these messages to pop up when users visit them. These messages can be particularly deceptive as they often present the user with fraudulent warnings from reputable companies, typically about the security of their computer. They may prompt the user to download a tool, which turns out to be malware, or to call a fraudulent phone number for "support". The persistent and unusual behavior of these alerts can lend them an air of authenticity. By reading this Search Marquis removal Mac guide, you will learn the detailed steps to purge this malware as well as other threats and restore your Safari browser to its original state.

Browser hijackers aren't inherently as harmful as viruses or malware. However, they can be highly intrusive and compromise user privacy on both macOS and Windows operating systems. These hijackers often come bundled with free software packages and may inadvertently be installed if users don't carefully review checkboxes during the software setup process. As a result, they are often categorized as potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

The primary symptoms of browser hijackers include forced modifications to web browser settings. These changes can manifest in various ways:

Alterations to your homepage, search engine, or new tab URLs.
Constant redirection to sites filled with ads, banners, and pop-ups.
Some hijackers may even contain spyware components designed to collect data on your browser activities or harvest sensitive personal information.

Several well-known browser hijackers have been reported including:

Search Marquis (searchmarquis.com)
Search Baron (searchbaron.com)
Search Alpha (search-alpha.com)
SearchMine (searchmine.net)

Bing Redirect
Yahoo Redirect
Safe Finder (search.safefinder.com)
Weknow.ac

Steps to get rid of browser hijacker from Safari

1. Force quit browser

If persistent pop-ups prevent you from closing your browser, force quit the application.

Press and hold the Command (⌘) key and the Option (⌥) key together.
While holding those keys, press the Escape (Esc) key.
This will bring up the Force Quit Applications window. Select Safari from the list and click on the Force Quit button.

2. Clear Safari history

Clearing your browser history can help prevent hijackers from accessing stored data.

Open Safari.
Click on Safari in the menu bar and select Clear History.
Choose all history and click Clear History.

3. Check homepage

Click on Safari in the menu bar and select Preferences.
Go to the General tab.
In the Homepage box, type in your preferred homepage address.

4. Reset search engine

In the Preferences window, go to the Search tab.
Choose your preferred search engine (e.g., Google) from the dropdown menu.

5. Manage website data

In the Preferences window, go to the Privacy tab.
Click on Manage Website Data.
In the pop-up window, click Remove All to clear all website data. Confirm the action if prompted.

6. Reset location and notifications settings

In the Preferences window, go to the Websites tab.
On the left panel, you'll see various settings like Location, Notifications, etc. For each setting, you can select websites and change permissions to your default preference or remove websites from the list.

7. Remove extensions

In the Preferences window, click on the Extensions tab.
Navigate to the Extensions tab and remove any unfamiliar or suspicious extensions.
Restart your browser to ensure the changes take effect.

8. Scan for browser hijacker

Use trusted anti-malware software to scan for browser hijacker threats. This will detect and help you get rid of browser hijacker entities lurking in your system.

9. Test search page

After making the above changes, open Safari and check if it displays your regular homepage or search page. Test your ability to search the web as you normally would.

10. Update your operating system and Safari

Ensure both your macOS and Safari are updated to benefit from the latest security patches.

To prevent future hijacks, always be wary of what you download and open. Only trust reputable sources.

In conclusion, browser hijackers can disrupt your online experience and potentially expose you to other security risks. By adhering to the steps mentioned above, you can effectively eradicate these hijackers from Safari and guarantee a secure, seamless browsing journey. Regular software updates and adopting safe browsing practices are paramount preventive strategies against browser hijackers.

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