Remove Safe Finder Virus from Mac PC

Proper guide to delete Safe Finder Virus

Safe Finder Virus is also known as ‘Safe Finder browser hijacker’ which is described as rogue application that has been designed to promote a number of fake web search engines. This harmful malware infection can easily invade into your targeted computer and leads to various problems.

Once installed successfully, this app stealthily modifies browser options as well as collects sensitive information. Due to its improper infiltration methods, it is categorized as an adware or potentially unwanted programs. So, having this browser hijacker installed on computer or browser will lead you to suffer high potential losses.

After intrusion, Safe Finder Virus is able to hijack all popular and well known browsers such as Google chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari and other related browsers. After that it makes changes in browser settings by assigning them to one of the following URLs: ‘search.safefinderformac.com’ or ‘search.safefinder.com’.

Such search engines significantly improve the web browsing experience by providing best and quick searching results. Once you use their search engine to search any query, users are redirected to search.yahoo.com. Due to this, users are unable to revert those changes until they uninstall installed browser hijackers.

Furthermore, Safe Finder Virus continually gathers information related to users web browsing activity. The collected details are in form of websites visited, pages viewed, entered search queries and so on. Despite this, it can also collect your personal as well as sensitive details also and shared with third parties who misuse it in order to generate revenue which might cause huge risk of privacy and identity exposure. So, we strongly advise to remove Safe Finder Virus and other installed browser hijackers by using legitimate antivirus suite such as ‘Combo Cleaner’.

Threat specification

Name: Safe Finder Virus

Type: Browser hijacker, Mac malware, Mac virus 

Description: This dubious malware injects malign codes on your browser as well as in your PC settings that causes more damage.

Distribution methods: spam emails, suspicious websites, deceptive pop-up ads, harmful links, peer to peer file sharing network, infected media drives and many more.

Symptoms: Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, and you get redirected to shady websites.

Damage: internet browser tracking (possibly privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirect to dubious websites and loss of private information.

Removal: To remove Safe Finder Virus, we recommend you to use reliable anti-malware removal tool such as ‘Combo Cleaner’.

Distribution methods of Safe Finder Virus

Like other redirect virus and harmful browser hijackers, Safe Finder Virus enters into your PC by using various different methods as well as without having user’s information. The most common methods used by them are malicious ads or popup, software bundling, spam emails, malicious websites, suspicious links and by using many more techniques.

In some cases, potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), browser hijackers or malware like Fire Search browser hijacker are downloaded/installed from other software package as additional offers. This false marketing method of packaging regular or genuine software with PUAs, adware or malware is known as ‘Software Bundling Method’ – is the mostly used mechanisms by cybercriminals.

Also, these rough applications or malware can also be distributed through unknown/unofficial websites, peer-to-peer file sharing network, fake software updaters, installers, and downloaders, and other third parties’ sources.

However, it is possible to avoid the installation of browser hijackers or malware that are included in software package. To do so, you should read terms & conditions given in software installation setup, choose ‘Custom/Advanced/Manual’ settings, deselect all the checkboxes associated belongs to unnecessary programs, and then you can continue with installation to finish.

This way, you can remove all malicious additions or unnecessary programs included in software package and block them from installing. But in case if you skip these settings and choose ‘Recommended/Quick/Manual’ settings during software installation, then you also install all additional programs in computer and this way, all malicious additions can also be installed.

Once installed successfully, it will disable all your security programs like antivirus software and firewall security to avoid its removal and detection due to which you are unable to remove or delete this infection. So, you are highly advised to be very cautious while clicking on ads and popup as well as downloading and installing any programs.

How to avoid installation of PUAs?

It is highly advised to research about content before downloading and installing it. Intrusive advertisement looks legitimate but once clicked redirect to dubious websites. Most of these ads are delivered by adware type PUPs. Therefore, if you encounter unwanted redirects then immediately remove all suspicious applications. While installing any program, it is important to read terms and agreements carefully.

Don’t skip custom or advance options as well as other similar settings of installation setups. Further, all programs and files should only be downloaded by using official websites and through direct download links. To keep computer safe and secure, you are advised to remove installed browser hijackers as quickly as possible.

Also, you should check regular updates for the software installed in your computer. Cybercriminals can take advantages of outdated software and trigger suspicious codes into them. So, you should keep all software including Operating System, antivirus software and other legitimate software installed in your computer.

Note that updating Operating System and all other software can fix any problems related to such software and enhances the performances as well. So, you should regular check for the software updates and remove faculty software from computer if any.

If Mac computer is already infected with Safe Finder Virus or similar malware, then you can go with our automatic method of malware removal to get rid of it. Automatic method means you can find all threats including latest malware with some powerful antivirus software with just few clicks, and then you can delete all detected threats with one-click.

System is already infected: How to Remove Safe Finder Virus?

Manual malware removal process might be risky and time-consuming as well as it also requires advanced computer skills. If you have much knowledge about such process then you can go through it. Instead this, you can also use reputable antivirus removal tool that has the ability to remove Safe Finder Virus browser hijacker completely and safely from the Mac operating system.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Safe Finder Virus

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove Safe Finder Virus from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete Safe Finder Virus add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to Safe Finder Virus. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.