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This malicious search tool alters default browser settings of popular browsers such as Google
Chrome, Safari & Mozilla Firefox without your consent. It further replaces the home-page &
search engine for your default web-browsers to https://searchmine.net.
The prominent method of its propagation is Software Bundling, fake software updates, network
file sharing & spam e-mail campaigns.
Name: Searchmine.net
Category: Malware
Search Mine or searchmine.net is a malicious search engine that asserts to provide better
search results & quick access to various renowned websites such as Facebook, Twitter &
YouTube. Please note that such claims are fake, as these are mere attempts take the users into
thinking that they installing a legitimate & useful application.
However, this fraudulent application begins to show its true intentions as soon as you install it
on your Mac.
You will observe unauthorized modifications in the browser’s default settings such as home-
page, search engine & new tab functionality & replaced with https://searchmine.net.
The new home-page will deteriorate your web browsing experience by causing unexpected
redirects to malicious & malware-laden pages. These websites may display commercial content
such as banners, hyperlinks, pop-ups, discount offers etc.
You will face difficulty in accessing other search providers & requisite information from this
replaced home-page. All the web-searches will be redirected to search.yahoo.com result pages.
You system may become extremely sluggish & you may observe bogus alerts, pop-ups &
notifications appearing on your system over & over again.
The sole motive of hackers behind causing these redirects is to redirect online traffic to
affiliated/sponsored websites & generate illicit revenue in return.
This devious search engine has the functionality of tracking & collecting your web-browsing
activities, online preferences, location, technical details of the device like browser type, IP
Address, OS Version, Bookmarks & Banking Credentials.
Cyber-security researchers have found that searchmine.net is a variant of other fake search
engines such as weknow.com & chumsearch.com.
Other common methods used by the hackers to spread the infection of Searchmine.net
includes-
Spam e-mail campaigns
Accidental click on malware-laden banners, hyperlinks & pop-ups.
By visiting rogue websites such as torrent sites or adult content sites.
By Using infected external devices
2. Click on “Applications”.
3. Find & remove the Search Mine App: The Applications Page will display a list of apps &
software installed on your Mac. Find “Searchmine” from the list, right click over the app
icon & then click on “Move to Trash” from the options.
4. Click “Empty Trash”: Find “Trash” on the dock. Right click on the trash icon & select
“Empty Trash” from the options. Emptying the trash deletes trash content &
“Searchmine” that you just sent to trash.
Step B: Uninstall SearchMine Extension from Safari, Google Chrome & Mozilla Firefox
Safari–