Search.safewebfinder.com Redirect (Mac)

What is search.safewebfinder.com?

search.safewebfinder.com is a fake Internet search engine identical to search.webfinderresults.com,search.webfindersearch.com, search.macsafefinder.com, and many others. By offering improved search results, search.safewebfinder.com attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.

Be aware, however, that developers promote this site using rogue download/installation set-ups (browser hijackers) that modify browser options without permission. Furthermore, search.safewebfinder.com continually records various information (mostly relating to users' Internet browsing activity).

Research shows that browser hijackers target Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Following infiltration, set-ups assign the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to search.safewebfinder.com. In addition, they stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (potentially unwanted programs [PUPs] and/or browser add-ons).

Although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them. Helper objects automatically reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them.

Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users continually encounter unwanted redirects to search.safewebfinder.com, significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience. Another downside is information tracking.

Helper objects and search.safewebfinder.com record various user-system information (such as IP addresses, keystrokes, URLs visited, search queries, etc.) that might contain personal details. This information is sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, information-tracking apps pose a direct threat to your privacy.

Be aware that some PUPs/extensions stealthily misuse system resources to run various processes (including cryptocurrency mining). In doing so, PUPs/extensions significantly diminish overall computer performance. If you encounter redirects to search.safewebfinder.com, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to this website.

Threat Summary:

Name	safewebfinder.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are hundreds of fake Internet search engines (for example, home.pdftoolkit.net, search.yofitofix.com, aristotlesearch.com, etc.) that share similarities with search.safewebfinder.com.

All claim to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing other "useful features" (such as weather forecasts, currency exchange rates, shortcuts to popular websites, etc.), however, these claims are merely attempts to trick users into believing that the websites are legitimate and useful.

Fake search engines such as search.safewebfinder.com are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Only a few provide the functionality promised - most are useless for regular users. Fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and record private data.

In some cases, they generate false results and display malicious ads (coupons, banners, etc.) These results and ads can lead to malicious websites. In addition, the ads might execute scripts that download and install malware. Therefore, using a fake Internet search engine is very risky.

How did search.safewebfinder.com install on my computer?

As mentioned above, search.safewebfinder.com is promoted using browser-hijacking downloaders/installers (the "bundling" method). Research shows that developers hide details of browser settings' modification within various sections (most likely the "Custom/Advanced" options) of the download or installation processes - they do not reveal this information.

Rushing these processes and skipping steps grants set-ups permission to modify various options. In addition, it expose systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Potentially unwanted programs (helper objects) are distributed using the bundling method and via the aforementioned ‘malvertising’ advertisements. Therefore, be cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet.

Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes (especially the "Custom/Advanced" settings) and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. Bear in mind that criminals monetize third party download/installation tools by promoting unwanted software (bundling).

Therefore, download your software from official sources only using a direct download link. Most malicious ads appear genuine, however, they usually lead to gambling, pornography, adult dating, survey, and other similar sites. If you encounter such ads, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution.

Website promoting search.safewebfinder.com:

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Quick menu:

• What is search.safewebfinder.com?
• STEP 1. Remove search.safewebfinder.com related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove search.safewebfinder.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove search.safewebfinder.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.safewebfinder.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

search.safewebfinder.com redirect removal:

Remove search.safewebfinder.com related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “MPlayerX”,“NicePlayer”, or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers

Remove Safari browser hijackers:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

Change your homepage:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.

Change your default search engine:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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