How to remove SearchMine from your Mac

Although Macs are made to prevent malware from infecting them, it does not mean that they are immune to attacks. SearchMine is a malware that targets Mac users. SearchMine changes the default settings of your browser, making it difficult to use and compromising your privacy. This article will show you how to get rid of SearchMine on Mac and reset your browser’s settings.

What is SearchMine?

SearchMine, a malicious malware program that hijacks your browser, replaces your default homepage and search engine with searchmine.net. It redirects all searches you make on your browser.

Mac users can be infected by this malware by downloading fake Adobe Flash Player Updates or any other software containing the virus. After the virus has been installed, you will be able to open a new web page that contains links to legitimate websites like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. It isn’t as harmless as it seems. This malware can track your search history, location, IP address and other information about your browsing activities. Advertisers and cybercriminals can have access to your data. It is important to remove this malware immediately in order to protect your privacy.

How to remove Search Mine from Mac System Preferences

Go to System Preferences to manually remove SearchMine. Search for unauthorised profiles using the search box. Once the Profile is located, you can delete it. Click OK to confirm.

1. Force quit all web browsers. Click the Apple icon at the top-left corner and choose Force Quit. The keyboard shortcut can be used by pressing the Command + Option + Escape keys simultaneously. Next, select all open browsers and click on the Force quit button.
2. Next, open the Apple menu. Select System Preferences. Click the Apple icon at the top-left corner.
3. Next, search for malicious profiles that you haven’t installed. In the search box at the top right, type “Profile”. Click on the desired search results. A Profiles icon may also be displayed in System Preferences, which is a circular badge with an X. It can be found at the bottom of most windows.
4. Click on the Profile. It will display its contents: AdminPrefs or Chrome Settings.
5. Select the profile you wish to remove and then click the minus sign under Device Profile. This will delete the selected profile.
6. Next, click Remove. A pop-up box will appear warning that deleting a profile could cause some settings to be altered. You will be prompted to grant administrator access in order to delete the profile.
7. Next, enter your Mac password.
8. Click OK.

After you have deleted the malicious profile, SearchMine can be removed from your web browsers. This is how to get rid of SearchMine on Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Firefox on Mac.

How to remove SearchMine from Google Chrome

1. Open Terminal app. Go to Applications > Utility, and then double-click Terminal.
2. Enter the commands below in the command box. After each command, press Enter.
   • For 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

1. Close Terminal. Click Terminal in the top menu bar. Quit Terminal. You can also press Command +Q.
2. Next, restart your computer. Select Restart from the Apple menu. Click on the Restart button to confirm the action in the pop-up box.
3. Log in to your Mac. Enter your password.
4. Open Google Chrome.
5. You should check your browser behavior. Creating a new tab or webpage in Google Chrome shouldn’t automatically take you to SearchMine.net.

You can find our step-by-step guide on how to set your default search engine.

Safari

1. Open your Safari browser.
2. Click Safari at the top of your Mac’s menu bar.
3. Select Preferences.
4. Click on the Generaltab.
5. Modify the Homepage field to point to your site.
6. Click on Extensions. You may not recognize extensions.
7. Click on any malicious extension and click Uninstall. After that, you’ll be prompted to uninstall this extension.
8. Click Show in Finder. You can also remove the extension from your Applications directory.
9. Drag the malicious application to Trash. The Applications folder will now open. Drag the app to your trash.
10. Enter your password to change the password.
11. Click OK.
12. Close Safari.

Firefox

1. Open your Firefox browser.
2. Click on the three-line icon in the top right corner of the page.
3. Select A Private Window.
4. Enter “about:support” in the address field.
5. Hit To Enter.
6. Click the Refresh Firefox link in the upper right.
7. Click on Refresh Firefox to confirm the action.
8. Wait until Firefox restarts. Firefox will then be restored to its original state. It will also reset all your preferences and delete extensions.