Search.fegline.com Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove search.fegline.com browser hijacker from Mac?
What is Search.fegline.com?
search.fegline.com is a fake, dubious search engine and similar to many others of this kind including search.blueslaluz.com, search.getmybestyear.com, and search.byomlapp.com. Although the site it is promoted as legitimate and useful, its main purpose is to gather browsing-related information. Furthermore, developers promote this search engine using rogue downloaders/installers that modify browser settings.
Downloaders/installers are usually responsible for making changes to browser settings such as default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL. In this case, they assign search.blueslaluz.com as the new address for these settings. They can then no longer be changed - rogue downloaders/installers install so-called "helper objects (applications such as extensions, add-ons, or plug-ins) that prevent users from selecting another default search engine and changing the other settings. Therefore, users are forced to visit search.fegline.com when they open a browser, new tab, or search via the URL bar. Do use this fake search engine, since it gathers various data, such as IP addresses, search queries, URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, and so on. Helper objects also record data, some of which might include personal details that developers share with third parties (cyber criminals) who misuse them to generate revenue. Note that using search.fegline.com as a search engine is pointless, as it does not provide any unique search results and simply delivers results delivered by Yahoo (search.yahoo.com). Therefore, if a search query is entered, it simply redirects users to Yahoo's search engine and displays corresponding results. Using this fake search engine or having unwanted apps such as "helper objects" installed can lead to various problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, etc.
Name | Search.fegline.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. |
There are many fake search engines available online. Most developers promote them as tools capable of providing an enhanced browsing experience (improved search results, faster searches, and so on), however, these search engines are bogus. Using them will lead to various problems, since they are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
How did Search.fegline.com install on my computer?
search.fegline.com is promoted through rogue downloaders/installers via "bundling", a deceptive marketing method used to trick people into downloading/installing potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) or allowing downloaders/installers to modify default browser settings. Information about potential modifications or unwanted installations is hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings or options of the download/installation set-ups. Note, however, that unwanted installations and modifications to browser settings usually occur only when people install or download software without checking and changing available settings.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software using official and trustworthy sources. Do not use third party software downloaders (or installers), Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, or other similar channels. When installing software, check available "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of the installation set-ups. Additionally, ensure that there are no checkboxes included that are ticked by default. These are often used to trick people into installing or downloading unwanted software. The web is full of intrusive ads - do not click them, since many redirect users to untrustworthy websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on. These ads are often displayed on untrustworthy websites. If you encounter dubious ads or redirects to websites of this type, check for new plug-ins, add-ons, and extensions installed on your browser and remove all unknown/unwanted entries immediately. Also check unwanted programs installed on your operating system. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Website promoting search.fegline.com:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is search.fegline.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.fegline.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.fegline.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.fegline.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.fegline.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove browser redirects to search.fegline.com using Combo Cleaner:
search.fegline.com redirect removal:
Remove Search.fegline.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 search.fegline.com browser hijacker related files and folders:
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar, choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware-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 adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-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 adware-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 adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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 adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Search.fegline.com browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove search.fegline.com browser hijacker related Safari extensions:
Open 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 normal 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 labelled "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 malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove search.fegline.com browser hijacker related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Change your homepage:
To change your homepage, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Preferences" from the drop-down menu. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage Page.
Change default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and click the "I'll be careful, I promise!" button.
In the "Search:" field, type the name of the browser hijacker. Right click on each of the found preferences and click "Reset" from the drop-down menu.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove search.fegline.com browser hijacker related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
Change your homepage:
Click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Settings". In the "On Startup" section, click the "Set pages" link near to the "Open a specific page or set of pages" option. Remove the URL of the browser hijacker (for example trovi.com) and enter your preferred URL (for example, google.com).
Change default search engine:
Click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button and choose "Settings". In the "Search" section, click the "Manage search engines..." button. In the opened window, remove the unwanted Internet search engine by clicking the "X" button next to it. Select your preferred Internet search engine from the list and click the "Make default" button next to it.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
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