Although Macs built to fend off malware, they are not secure. SearchMine is a malicious malware that specifically targets Macs. This virus alters your browser’s settings, which may be annoying and dangerous because it could expose your personal information. Here’s how to remove SearchMine and your Mac’s web browser.
The Definition of SearchMine
Malware like SearchMine alters your browser settings without your knowledge or consent, making searchmine.net your new type page and preferred search engine. Your browser’s search searches will likewise sent to https://searchmine.net.
Exactly what is this thing called SearchMine?
Malware like this can infect Macs when users download fraudulent upgrades for Adobe Flash Player or other programs that also spread the virus. If you install it, whenever you open a new webpage, you’ll be taken to a webpage with connections to trusted services like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and AliExpress. But don’t let its apparent benevolence fool you. This malware can collect information about your browsing habits, including the websites you visit, the pages you search for, your IP address, and the searches you download. Then, marketers and thieves will have access to your information. For reasons of personal security, you must remove this malware immediately.
Where in System Preferences to remove the “SearchMine” Uninstaller for Mac
Access System Preferences in OS X to remove SearchMine manually. Find hidden profiles by searching by their names or clicking the menu options. If you find it, you can erase your Profile. Select Remove from the confirmation box, and then click OK to confirm.
- Browsers should be closed forcibly. To accomplish this, click Apple in the upper left corner and choose Force Quit. Pressing the keys Command + Option + Escape at the same moment will activate the shortcut. Then, set all the browsers you have running and hit the Force Quit button.
- The next step is to access System Preferences using the Apple menu. To do this, select the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your screen.
- Once you’ve done that, start looking for malicious profiles you still need to install. To access your Profile, enter “Profile” into the menu’s search bar. Click the necessary links from the search results that appear. An optional Profiles icon, depicted as a circular badge with a check mark, may also appear in System Preferences. It often rests around the window sill’s base.
- Where in System Preferences to remove the “SearchMine” Uninstaller for Mac
Click the Profile tab. If you click on it, you’ll see AdminPrefs, Chrome Settings, or Safari Preferences, respectively. - To remove the Profile, select it and then click the minus sign under Device Profile. The profile chosen will be deleted.
- Where in System Preferences to remove the “SearchMine” Uninstaller for Mac
Choose the Remove option. A dialog box will appear to change you that erasing the Profile will result in some adjustments to your system. A warning that administrative privileges are required will also be displayed. - Type in your Mac’s password now.
- In the end, click OK.
Remove SearchMine from your web browsers after you have deleted the rogue Profile. How to remove SearchMine from Mac’s Safari, Chrome, and Firefox is detailed here.
Remove SearchMine from Chrome and Its Consequences
- Open the Terminal app. For this, double-click Terminal, which can be found in the Applications folder under the Utility subfolder.
- In that case, copy and paste the commands below into the command box, pressing Enter after each one.
- 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/”
- defaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderSearchURL
- defaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderNewTabURL
- defaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderName
- Please exit Terminal next. To leave Terminal, select it from the top menu and click the corresponding button. The shortcut for this is Command + Q.
- Perform a system restart afterward. Go to the Apple menu, and then choose Restart. After clicking the warning action, click the Restart button to proceed.
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The Mac will need you to log back in. Type your Profile’s password here.
Launch the Chrome browser. - Check your browser’s actions. The search engine SearchMine.net shouldn’t load whenever you open a new tab or webpage in Google Chrome.
- Here you will check a detailed explanation of changing a different search engine to your default.
Safari
- Open up the Safari web browser.
- Use your Mac’s Safari browser by selecting it from the menu bar.
- Go to Settings.
- Click the Settings button.
- If you’d rather have a different website loaded first, change it in the Homepage area.
- Click the Extensions menu item. Check for unfamiliar filename suffixes.
- Select the extension you want to remove and click the Uninstall button. The extension can removed by uninstalling the app afterward, as indicated by a popup.
- Select View in Finder. Get rid of the add-on from the Applications folder as well.
- To delete the rogue app, move it to the trash. The Programs folder will open. The app can be deleted by dragging it to the trash.
- To make any necessary edits, type your password.
- Click the “OK” button.
- Put an end to Safari and reboot your browser.
Open the Firefox web browser.
- To access other tools, click the ellipsis (…) in the top right corner.
- Select Create New Discreet Window.
- Launch your type and enter “about support” in the address box.
- To proceed, press the Enter key.
- If you want to refresh Firefox, click the gear icon in the upper right corner.
- Select Refresh Firefox from the confirmation window that appears.
- To restart Firefox, please wait. You can expect Firefox to go back to its original settings.
- Preferences will cleared, and remove-one will uninstalled.