Browser redirect viruses are a key tool for cybercriminals through which they monetize attacks through ad networks. One of the bad redirects is search1.me, which disrupts the normal working of Apple users!
In fact, it sits at the heart of your malicious activities.
Search1.me is a really lousy virus that leads your searches towards incessant redirects to search1.me website whenever you try to use Chrome, Safari, Firefox on Mac. The shameless operators of search1.me take control of your web surfing preferences.
So, what to do in this bad situation? First of all, chillax!
Then, reset the Mac browser that you use either Chrome, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox. Manual removal method is also life saving to remove Search1.me browser hijacker.
And use the Combo Cleaner Removal Tool! It works as the safeguard of your Mac system’s integrity.
In this guide, we’ll answer how to remove the search1.me virus in Chrome, Safari, Firefox on Mac.
Let’s stay safe together!
What Exactly is Search1.me?
Search1.me is a type of malware that modifies web browser settings without taking care of the user’s consent.
In simple words, it’s a browser hijacker of mac.
Moreover, it changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to redirect the innocent users to search1.me or other affiliated websites.
Although the resulting redirected page does not look harmful, still it’s a part of their evil plan. Beneath the sleek web page design, there lies a plethora of sketchy alterations to system settings and components.
How Do Search1.me get into the Mac system?
Search1.me may appear on Mac screens due to various reasons. Let’s have a look at a few of them below:
- Mac users often unknowingly install software bundles that include Search1.me as an additional component.
- Sometimes, users download files or applications from untrustworthy websites unintentionally. Those vulnerable webs contain Search1.me virus which then infect your Mac system.
- Malware or browser extensions installed on the Mac can forcibly change browser settings to redirect to Search1.me.
- Mature cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in the Mac operating system or web browsers to install Search1.me without your knowledge.
- If you click on malicious links in emails, social media, or websites, it results in the installation of Search1.me.
No matter what was the case in your scenario, it is important to prevent the appearance of search1.me.
If you are facing the same bad days due to these nasty pop-ups, follow the following search1.me virus removal methods.
Methods to Remove search1.me virus in Mac
Let’s review each one of the methods that are helping hands in order to remove Search1.me Browser Hijacker from Mac:
1. Search1.me virus manual removal for Mac:
Manual removal methods always go first and handy when it comes to removing search1.me virus on Mac. However, it could be timely as you need to follow the footprints in the specified order.
And without any further exaggeration, here is the step-by-step guide to “How.”
Step 1: First comes first! Click on the “Go” button and then open the folder > Utilities. (You can watch out for the image given below to get directions.)
Step 2: Find the “Activity Monitor” icon displayed on your Mac screen. Then, simply double-click on that!
Step 3: In the Activity Monitor app, search for “Search1.me” or any other process that looks like phishy.
If you successfully identify the culprit, click on it. Then, select the Stop icon in the screen’s upper left-hand corner.
Step 4: Now, choose the Force Quit option when a follow-up dialog box appears.
This is because it kindly requests your confirmation before terminating the troublesome process.
So, kindly affirm by saying Yes.
Step 5: In the 5th step, click on the Finder’s Go menu icon. Then, select “Go to Folder.”
Alternatively, you have the option to use the keyboard shortcut “Command-Shift-G”.
Step 6: Please enter “/Library/LaunchAgents” carefully in the folder search dialog, and then simply click on the Go button.
Step 7: Examine the LaunchAgents folder for suspicious items, focusing on recently added entities that seem out of place. If you identify any, drag them to the Trash to remove them from your system.
Now, let’s do step 8 below!
Step 8: Once again, utilize the Go to Folder feature to navigate to the folder named ~/Library/Application Support.
Note: notice the tilde symbol at the beginning of the path to do so.
Step 9: Open the Application Support directory and find any suspicious folders recently created, then delete them (move to Trash).
How to do this?
Look for folders with names unrelated to Apple products or apps you knowingly installed, such as com.AuraSearchDaemon, ProgressSite, or IdeaShared.
Step 10: Enter the following string in the Go to Folder search field: “~/Library/LaunchAgents.”
Most of the users ignore to insert the tilde sign/character in this string. So, don’t forget to miss out on inserting it!
Step 11: In the current user’s Home directory, the system will show LaunchAgents.
Search for suspected items related to the search1.me redirect virus and move them to the Trash.
Step 12: Now, it’s time to type “/Library/LaunchDaemons” into the “Go to Folder” search field.
Step 13: In the LaunchDaemons path, locate the files used by the malware for persistence.
Examples include com.pplauncher.plist, com.startup.plist, and com.ExpertModuleSearchDaemon.plist.
Delete these suspicious files without giving a second thought!
Step 14: Just click on the Go menu icon in your Mac’s Finder, then choose Applications from the list.
Step 15: Take a look at your Applications folder!
Find any app that seems out of place, then simply move it to the Trash.
If it asks for your admin password to confirm, go ahead and enter it. Don’t hesitate to enter the admin password!
Step 16: Click on the given Apple menu. It will expand.
Then, select System Preferences from the options.
Step 17: In the second last step, go to the Users & Groups option given there. After this, click on the Login Items tab.
You’ll see a list of items that launch when your computer starts up. Find the potentially unwanted app there and simply click on the “-” (minus) button to remove it.
Step 18: Lastly, go to System Preferences and choose Profiles.
Check the left-hand sidebar for any malicious items like TechSignalSearch or MainSearchPlatform.
Then, click the minus sign at the bottom to remove them.
Even after removing the adware and its components from your Mac, the infection might still affect your default web browser. Follow the browser cleanup instructions below to tackle any remaining consequences of the attack.
You can also be interested in watching this fantastic YouTube video on how to remove search1.me virus from Mac.
2. Get rid of Search1.me virus in web browser on Mac
We can start by restoring the web browser settings that were hijacked by the Search1.me virus to their default values. This action will clear most of your customizations, web surfing history, and temporary data stored by websites.
However, it will effectively terminate the search1.me interference.
Here we begin with the steps to remove search1.me virus in Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
1. Remove Search1.me virus from Safari:
So, here is the step-by-step guide about getting rid of the search1.me virus from Safari:
Step 1: Safari Menu > Preferences:
- Open Safari.
- Click on the Safari menu.
After this, a drop-down menu will appear.
- You need to select the option “Preferences.”
Step 2: Advanced > enable Show Develop menu
- Move to the Advanced tab.
- Then, enable the option that says, “Show Develop menu in the menu bar.”
Step 3: Develop > Empty Caches
- Now that the Develop entry has been added to the Safari menu, simply expand it and click on “Empty Caches.”
Now, come to the most important step!
Step 4: Step 4: History > Clear History
- Next, choose “History” from the Safari menu.
- Then, click on “Clear History” in the drop-down list.
Step 5: Removing All History!
- Safari will prompt you to specify the period for clearing history.
- Select “All History” for maximum effect.
- Then, click “Clear History” to confirm.
- Exit!
That’s all!
Step 6: Manage Your Website Data
- Return to Safari Preferences and navigate to the Privacy tab.
- Locate the option labeled “Manage Website Data” and click on it.
Step 7: Remove All
- After clicking “Empty Caches,” a screen will appear listing websites storing data about your Internet activities.
- It includes a brief description of the removal’s effects, such as potential logouts and changes in website behavior.
- If you’re okay with this, click “Remove All.”
Lastly, restart your Safari browser to get a safe and secure web browsing experience.
2. Remove Search1.me in Google Chrome:
Let’s go through the step-by-step procedure of removing search1.me virus in one of the widely preferred browser – Chrome:
Step 1: Click on Settings
- Open Chrome.
- Click the Customize and control Google Chrome (⁝) icon.
It is located at the top right-hand part of the window.
- Then, select Settings in the drop-down
Step 2: Reset Your Settings
- Once you are on the Settings pane, choose “Advanced”.
- Then, scroll down to the “Reset settings” section.
Step 3: Confirmation of Your Actions!
- Confirm the Chrome reset on the upcoming dialog.
- Once the procedure is finished, relaunch the browser and check for any malware activity due to search1.me.
So, the process of Chrome browser resetting is completed now!
3. Remove Search1.me from Mozilla Firefox:
Let’s reset the third widely browser, Mozilla Firefox, to fight with search1.me virus on Mac:
You know, the process of resetting Safari is the easiest of all!
Step 1: Get Help > Troubleshooting Information
- Let’s open Firefox and navigate to Help, then Troubleshooting Information.
Alternatively, simply type about:support in the URL bar and hit Enter to access the troubleshooting details.
Step 2: Refresh It!
- Once you’re on the Troubleshooting Information screen, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button.
Step 3: Confirm Changes.
- Once you’ve made the desired changes, confirm them and restart Firefox to apply the updates.
I hope these steps help you get rid of this nasty Mac adware.
3. Use Combo Cleaner removal tool
Let’s meet one of the widely preferred antivirus software – Combo Cleaner Removal Tool.
But did you know that the Combo Cleaner Removal Tool is useful in the Search1.me virus removal method?
Combo Cleaner, a comprehensive Mac maintenance and security application, offers a convenient solution to detect and remove the Search1.me virus. Its automated approach provides significant advantages over manual cleanup.
For example, the utility receives hourly virus definition updates and can effectively identify even the most recent Mac infections.
Which is not possible with other methods, right?
Moreover, the automatic solution will efficiently locate the core files of the malware deep within the system structure. Otherwise, it is a challenging task to accomplish manually.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolving the Search1.me issue using Combo Cleaner:
Essential Steps to Take:
Remember, it’s essential to follow the steps from A to Z to get rid of Search1.me redirects:
Step 1: Download and Install the Tool<
- Download the Combo Cleaner installer.
- Then, double-click the combocleaner.dmg file.
- Follow the prompts to install the tool on your Mac.
To download the Combo Cleaner Tool, visit the official website of MacSecurity.net and scroll down.
Look for the download section where you’ll find the icon labeled “Download Combo Cleaner.” Simply click on this option to begin the download process.
Step 2: Run the Combo App
- Open the app from your Launchpad.
- Allow it to run an update of the malware signature database.
- This ensures it can identify the latest threats accurately.
Step 3: Start Scanning
- Click the “Start Combo Scan” button.
- This will initiate a comprehensive check on your Mac.
- It will detect any malicious activity as well as performance issues.
Step 4: Analyze the Results!
- Review the scan results carefully.
- If the report indicates “No Threats,” you’re on the right track with manual cleaning.
- Proceed to tidy up the web browser as instructed above to address any after-effects of the Search1.me attack.
Step 5: Getting Rid of Diagnosed Viruses
- If Combo Cleaner detects malicious code, click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
- This will prompt the utility to remove the Search1.me adware along with any other viruses, PUPs (potentially unwanted programs), or junk files that don’t belong on your Mac.
Step 6: Double Check is Perfect!
- Ensure the malicious app or Mac adware is uninstalled.
- Browser-level troubleshooting may still be needed.
- If your preferred browser is affected, refer to the previous section for solutions.
So, follow the above-mentioned steps to restore hassle-free web surfing and stay happy!
4. Scan with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove Search1.me
Now, here comes the last part.
Let’s run a scan on your Mac using Malwarebytes. This will help identify and eliminate any malicious programs that may have sneaked onto your system.
In this case, we are going to remove the Search1.me browser hijacker.
Let’s walk through the steps of scanning and removing the culprit – Search1.me.
Step 1: Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can easily download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking on the link: Download Here.
Step 2: Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.
Once the Malwarebytes download is complete, simply double-click on the setup file to begin the installation process on your computer.
In many cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder for easy access.
Step 3: Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
Whenever the Malwarebytes installation, you’ll be greeted by the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer. It will walk you through the installation steps.
Simply click “Continue” and follow the prompts to proceed with the installation process seamlessly.
Once your Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will open to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
Simply click the “Get started” button to begin using Malwarebytes on your Mac.
Step 4: Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
On the Malwarebytes Welcome screen, you’ll be prompted to select the type of computer you’re installing the program on.
Simply click either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” based on your preference.
Step 5: Click on “Scan”.
Let’s initiate a scan with Malwarebytes!
For doing this, simply click on the “Scan” button.
Malwarebytes for Mac will then automatically update its antivirus database and commence scanning your computer for potential malware threats of Search1.me.
Step 6: Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your entire computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs.
Always remember, this process will take a few minutes.
So, feel free to do something else while the scan is underway. You can make a cup of coffee for yourself!
Also, make sure to periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it’s finished.
Step 7: Click on “Quarantine”.
Once the scan is complete, you’ll see a screen displaying any malware infections detected by Malwarebytes.
To remove the detected malware, simply click on the “Quarantine” button.
In this way, you’ll isolate and neutralize the malicious files. As a result, it will keep your system safe from further harm.
Step 8: Restart computer.
Now, Malwarebytes will remove all the malicious files it has detected.
As part of the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may prompt you to restart your computer to complete the removal process effectively.
It’s a necessary step to complete the entire process.
Congratulations!
Your computer will be free of the Search1.me redirect virus and any other malware detected by Malwarebytes.
FAQs:
What are the symptoms that my Mac system has the Search1.me virus?
The most common signs of the Search1.me virus on your Mac include the following:
- Frequent redirection of web searches to search1.me via intermediate sites (ad networks)
- Injected ads within search results
- Noticeable slowing down of your system’s performance
Hence, if you’re experiencing these issues, it’s best to run a thorough scan using reliable antivirus software to detect and remove search1.me Mac browser hijacker.
What are some common distribution techniques for the Search1.me virus on Mac systems?
The Search1.me virus on Mac systems is typically distributed through various methods, such as:
- Freeware bundles
- Torrents
- Fake software updates
- Misleading popup ads
- Spam emails
These techniques deceive users into unknowingly installing the virus alongside legitimate software or content.
Thus, it shamelessly leads the user’s searches to unwanted browser redirects and advertisements.
Why use Malwarebytes to remove the Search1.me virus on Mac?
Malwarebytes for Mac is a powerful on-demand scanner. It was developed to detect and remove various types of malware that often evade detection by other software.
Best of all, it’s completely free. This facility makes it a perfect tool for cleaning up infected devices, especially Mac.
That’s why we highly recommend Malwarebytes as an essential addition to your arsenal in the ongoing battle against Search1.me malware.
What to Do If I Have a “virus” like Search1.me?
With the help of a few simple and sleek tips and tricks, you can protect your Mac device. For example, do the following things:
- Find a safe computer and connect to a different network.
- Change all passwords (start with email).
- Enable two-factor authentication for important accounts.
- Contact your bank to update credit card details.
- Call ISP to change your IP address.
- Change Wi-Fi password.
- Scan all connected devices for viruses (it’s an optional step).
- Install anti-malware software with real-time protection.
- Avoid downloading from unknown or low-reputation sites.
So, you can follow these steps to ensure the network and Mac device is doing OKAY!
Conclusion
In conclusion, we did it! We can effectively tackle the Search1.me browser hijacker if we diligently follow the methods and their steps mentioned above. The restoration of your Mac systems security and performance often takes time but it’s totally worth it!
However, be aware of the bad approaches of these malware authors! They use various replicas like search3.me, ichromesearch.com, mychromesearch.com, search.3bamfz.com, nearbyme.io, and api.lisumanagerine.club.
If your system has been infected, fear not! Follow these steps to defeat the culprit and restore your browsing settings to their rightful state.
Now, you can enjoy hassle-free browsing without the intrusive redirects and ads. Keep up the great work in safeguarding your Mac against potential threats in the future.
Wish you safe Mac browsing!