How to remove searchfox.me from web browser settings?

How to remove searchfox.me browser hijacker from Mac?

What is searchfox.me?

Searchfox.me is the address of a fake search engine that appears in the browser settings after installation of a browser hijacker. It is known that the app that changes settings to promote searchfox.me is distributed via fake installer which is designed to look like the installer for Adobe Flash Player. As a rule, users download and install browser hijackers or any other apps that are distributed through fake installers (or using other deceptive methods) unknowingly. Therefore, those apps are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Research shows that searchfox.me redirects users to webcrawler.com, a legitimate search engine. Like most fake search engines, searchfox.me does not generate results. Its users see results generated by another search engine. It is important to mention that not all fake search engines redirect users to legitimate search engines. In some cases, they generate their own results that can include dubious results, or they redirect users to other shady addresses. In one way or another, it is recommended not to use any fake search engine and use a legitimate one instead (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Bing). As mentioned in the first paragraph, most fake search engines appear in the web browser settings after the installation of some browser hijacker. Typically, a browser hijacker changes settings such as the address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab (it changes them to the address of a fake search engine like searchfox.me). Usually, an unwanted address that has appeared in the browser settings after installation of a browser hijacker cannot be removed or changed to another address as long as the browser hijacker is installed. Therefore, in order to remove searchfox.me from settings, it is necessary to uninstall a browser hijacker first.

It is common that browser hijackers are used not only to promote fake search engines but also to collect some information. Quite often, apps of this type target details relating to Internet browsing activities, for example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited/opened sites, and so on. However, they can be designed to collect sensitive details too. What is worse, their developers could use gathered information for marketing purposes, sell it to third parties (potentially cybercriminals), or monetize it in some other ways. In one way or another, it is strongly recommended not to have PUAs that may be capable of accessing personal information installed on browsers or computers.

Threat Summary:

Name	searchfox.me browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus
Serving IP Address	172.67.196.244
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 three days free trial available.

There are many fake search engines, some examples are searches.network, searches.cloud, and cybersearch.xyz. The provided examples redirect users to webcrawler.com. However, other fake search engines can redirect users to shady websites. As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, most fake search engines are promoted through browser hijackers, applications that most users download and install unknowingly, unintentionally. If an app of this type is already installed on a browser or the operating system, then it should be removed as soon as possible.

How did searchfox.me install on my computer?

It is known that the app promoting searchfox.me is distributed using a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. It is important to remember that fake installers can be (and often are) used to distribute malicious programs, like Trojans, ransomware. It is also popular to distribute PUAs by bundling them together with other programs. More precisely, to include them in downloaders, installers of other programs. In most cases, bundled applications can be opted out (offers to download, install them can be declined) using "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" settings, or checkboxes that certain downloaders, installers have. Users download, install bundled PUAs when they leave default settings unchanged. Sometimes users download or even install PUAs by clicking on deceptive advertisements that can execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Always download apps from official and trustworthy websites (and using direct links). Avoid using various third-party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, etc. Do not finish downloads and installations without checking "Custom", "Advanced" and other options, or checkboxes. It is common that those settings can be used to decline offers to download, install unwanted applications. Also, avoid clicking on advertisements while visiting shady websites. Those ads tend to be used to promote other untrustworthy, or even malicious websites, or cause unwanted downloads, installations. Additionally, make sure not to have any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons installed on a browser, or programs of this kind installed on the 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.

Searchfox.me redirects to webcrawler.com (GIF):

Delusive application installer promoting searchfox.me:

Searchfox.me in Chrome settings default search engine:

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

Video showing how to remove searchfox.me browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

searchfox.me redirect removal:

Remove searchfox.me 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 searchfox.me 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.

searchfox.me browser hijacker homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove searchfox.me 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 searchfox.me 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 searchfox.me 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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