Some security applications set different categories for these PUPs. For example, Malwarebytes SearchMine classification is Crossrider adware. This program gained this name through its aggressive unauthorized browser changes and resistance for removal. If the user continues to use this website as the main search engine, it gains access to personal information. This happens when people enter private details into the query window to find information. The developers of the PUP then can collect data and share it with third-parties. This potentially unwanted application is also designed to track user’s technical information, such as software installed on the computer, as well as browsing history, clicks, and interactions on social networks made through the software. The company admits using collected information to provide personalized and targeted advertisements based on your interests. Usually, the delivered ads promote questionable products and can redirect to unverified sites, including malware distribution networks. In other words, the SearchMine virus is not an accurate name for this adware. However, its activity on the computer can not only be annoying but also increase the risk of infection with highly dangerous malware. Thus, it is essential to take action once this program hijacks your browser. As mentioned before, SearchMine.net removal might be hard as the program tries to resist every attempt of elimination. Experienced computer users can try to uninstall this PUP by following the guidelines at the end of this article. Others should get help from a robust antivirus, such as INTEGO.
Threat Summary
Hijacker spreads as a fake Adobe Flash Player update
SearchMine Reddit themes are filled with warnings about this browser hijacker. People report that this PUP is mainly distributed as a fake Adobe Flash Player update. You can encounter one if you continuously visit untrustworthy websites. This Mac browser hijacker comes as an additional software in the fake Adobe Flash Player installer. It is hidden among the installation settings and appears as a pre-selected tick box. If you fail to identify the PUP and do not de-select the tick mark, SearchMine is automatically installed on your computer. If you want to avoid all types of potentially unwanted programs, you should never visit unverified websites and never click on shady pop-ups or banners. Especially if those ads promote various computer “cleaners” stating that your computer is infected. Beware that online ads cannot actually scan your computer for problems or threats, as they cannot physically access and overview your files. If you keep installing untrustworthy programs, you might end up with even more serious cyber threats. Thus, get software only from official sites.
SearchMine removal guidelines
You don’t need any SearchMine uninstaller to get rid of the program. Our team has prepared thorough guidelines to help users clean their computers. These instructions are designed to suit all most popular browsers, such as Google Chrome, Safari, etc. However, Searchmine.net removal is typically not an easy task. If you find it difficult to delete it manually, you can also check and use trustworthy antivirus or anti-malware programs to complete this task. TIP. SearchMine is reported to be a Crossrider adware variant, which is not easy to remove. In fact, its elimination isn’t similar to other adware variants. Please complete ALL the given steps to get rid of this annoyance.
Remove the malicious configuration profile from Mac
You might notice that you can’t remove searchmine.net from Safari settings. If so, it means that the adware has manipulated some profile settings on your Mac. Here is what you need to do to get rid of it: INTEGO antivirus is one of the leading security products for Mac that includes VirusBarrier X9 and NetBarrier X9 features allowing detection of viruses, ransomware, adware, browser hijackers, Trojans, backdoors and other threats and blocks suspicious network connections. If any detections are found, the software will eliminate them. Learn more about the software’s features in its full review. GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. To remove the unwanted program from your Mac, use these instructions below to uninstall associated applications from your Mac computer. Then scroll down for instructions how to clean each affected web browser individually. Remove SearchMine.net from Safari Uninstall suspicious Safari extensions Change Safari Homepage and default search engine Remove push notifications on Safari Some suspicious websites can try to corrupt your Safari by asking to enable push notifications. If you have accidentally agreed, your browser will be flooded with various intrusive advertisements and pop-ups. You can get rid of them by following this quick guide: Reset Safari
Remove SearchMine.net from Google Chrome Remove suspicious Chrome extensions Change Start Page settings Change default search settings Remove push notifications from Chrome If you want to get rid of the annoying ads and so-called push-notifications viruses, you must identify their components and clean your browser. You can easily remove ads from Chrome by following these steps: Reset Google Chrome browser
Remove SearchMine.net from Mozilla Firefox Remove unwanted add-ons from Firefox Change Firefox Homepage Alter preferences in Firefox Remove annoying push notifications from Firefox Suspicious sites that ask to enable push notifications gain access to Mozilla’s settings and can deliver intrusive advertisements when browsing the Internet. Therefore, you should remove access to your browser by following these simple steps: Reset Mozilla Firefox Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.
Remove the hijacker via Terminal on Mac
Another way to remove Searchmine virus is to run certain commands via Mac’s Terminal. Here’s what you need to do:
defaults write com.google.Chrome HomepageIsNewTabPage -bool falsedefaults 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 DefaultSearchProviderSearchURLdefaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderNewTabURLdefaults delete com.google.Chrome DefaultSearchProviderName
Restart your computer after completing these steps. Your Searchmine virus should now be removed from Google Chrome. Q: SearchMine is managing Chrome. How is it possible? A: This browser hijacker primarily targets Mac OS and all installed legitimate search engines. Once installed, SearchMine replaces default browser settings with manipulated values. Thus, it gains control over Google Chrome or any other infected browser. These settings are overwritten for a reason — the browser is then flooded with various pop-ups, banners, and other types of advertisements. Usually, clicks on these ads can either trigger an automatic installation of other cyber threats or redirect to suspicious sites. Additionally, this PUP replaces the primary search engine to SearchMine.net and forces people to use it for search queries. Unfortunately, all the typed information is collected and might be shared with third-parties. Therefore, if you notice Google Chrome managed by SearchMine, you must immediately get rid of the PUP. For that, either use manual guidelines on this article or run a full system scan with a robust antivirus. Q: Is SearchMine adware? A: SearchMine is categorized as CrossRider adware by Malwarebytes since it can generate a never-ending stream of questionable ads. Those ads might cover content on various pages while browsing and become more than annoying. However, the main issue is that the displayed ads can increase the risk of malware infections. Usually, pop-ups are designed to redirect users to various untrustworthy sites or even scams. Additionally, some ads trigger an automatic installation of other PUPs. Even though SearchMine is an adware, it also takes over the installed browser and sets itself as a primary search engine. Thus, it falls into multiple categories, including browser hijacker directory.
