Remove Searchword.news (Mac)

Some Mac computer users with compromised systems noticed that homepage was overridden by Searchword.news after downloading freeware and third party applications. Some complains that this browser hijacker appears right after installing Adobe program update. Without their knowledge, software they have downloaded was repacked to purposely include adware that is associated to Searchword.news. Certainly, makers of the legitimate program are not involved in any of this malicious operation. Thus, relying only on official websites for valid software update is the key solution to stay away from adware and homepage hijacker like Searchword.news.

The offending browser extension targets multiple browser application and this includes popular ones like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari. Homepage settings of these internet applications are likely to be under the control of Searchword.news if malicious browser applet successfully enters Mac system. Aside from homepage hijacking, the infection executes a script that initiates ad injection on any web pages visited using the compromised browser program. It randomly displays advertisements whenever user clicks on any part of the browser window. This action is not only annoying because it hinders browsing activity of users, but it also slows down internet connection.

Irritated users deemed Searchword.news as computer virus due to its illegal entry on the system and other horrid behavior. Technically, computer security experts categorized browser hijacker as branch of potentially unwanted program (PUP). It is not as hazardous as viruses that spread quickly on the system infecting vital system files. Hence, it is not also advisable to let Searchword.news sit on the browser and do its illicit traits. Thus, we made a quick guide on this page to help user in getting rid of Searchword.news effectively using virus and malware removal tools.

Procedures to Remove Searchword.news from Mac

Systematic instructions and tools for the successful removal of browser threat are outlined on this section. This is helpful to totally get rid of Searchword.news browser hijacker from infected browser programs.

Even ordinary Mac users can understand and follow this guide because it was created with less complexities and technicalities. Also, make sure to run the scanners to automatically delete harmful items belonging to Searchword.news browser hijacker.

Quick Fix - Scan the Mac Computer with Combo Cleaner

Combo Cleaner is a trusted Mac utility application with complete antivirus and optimization features. It is useful in dealing with adware, malware, and PUP's. Moreover, it can get rid of malicious browser hijacker like Searchword.news. You may need to purchase full version if you require to maximize its premium features.

1. Download the tool from the following page:

2. Double-click the downloaded file and proceed with the installation.

3. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon onto your Applications folder icon.

Install Combo Cleaner

4. Open your Launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon.

5. Wait until antivirus downloads its latest virus definition updates and click on "Start Combo Scan" to start removing Searchword.news.

Combo Cleaner Scanner

6. Free features of Combo Cleaner include Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus and privacy scanner, users have to upgrade to a premium version.

Aside from automatic removal using the recommended utility application, you can also remove Searchword.news with manual procedure. If you are comfortable in executing this course, please proceed below.

Step 1 : Delete Searchword.news from Mac Applications

1. Open Finder on you Mac computer.

2. Next, go to top menu and click Go. From the drop-down list, click on Applications to view the contents of Applications Folder.

3. Browse the Applications folder and look for Searchword.news. If it is not present, find any unwanted or suspicious program that is probably relevant to the browser hijacker.

Delete Unwanted App

4. To delete Searchword.news from Mac, simply Drag it to Trash Bin. You can also highlight/select the item and press Delete on your keyboard.

5. Next, delete Searchword.news from Trash Bin. Right-click the Trash icon and click Empty Trash.

Step 2 : Remove Browser Extensions that belongs to Searchword.news

1. Locate the add-on or extension that is relevant to the hijacker. To do this, please follow the following depending on affected browser.

Safari - Choose Preferences from the Safari menu, then click the Extensions icon. This will open a window showing all installed extensions.

Chrome - Select Preferences from the Chrome menu, and then click the Extensions link found on the left pane.

Firefox - Choose Add-ons from the Menu. Look at both the Extensions and Plug-ins lists when it opens a new window.

2. Once you have located Searchword.news or any suspicious item, click on Remove or Uninstall, to get rid of it.

3. Close the browser and proceed to the next steps.

Step 3 : Delete Malicious Files that have installed Searchword.news

1. Select and copy the string below to your Clipboard by pressing Command + C on your keyboard.

~/Library/LaunchAgents

2. Go to your Finder. From the menu bar please select Go > Go to Folder...

3. Press Command + V on your keyboard to paste the copied string. Press Return to go to the said folder.

Command + V

4. You will now see a folder named LaunchAgents. Take note of the following files inside the folder:

  • unknown.download.plist
  • unknown.ltvbit.plist
  • unknown.update.plist
  • com.unknown

The term unknown is just a representation of the actual malware name. It is normally an unfamiliar file name such as the following:

- PlaySearchNow, Genieo, InstallMac

If you cannot find the specified file, please look for any unfamiliar or suspicious entries. It may be the one causing Searchword.news to be present on your Mac. Arranging all items to see the most latest ones may also help you identify recently installed unfamiliar files. Please press Option + Command + 4 on your keyboard to arrange the application list in chronological order.

Option+Command+4

Important: Take note of all the suspicious files as you may also delete the same item on another folder as we go on.

5. Drag all suspicious files that you may find to Trash.

6. Please restart the computer.

7. Open another folder using the same method as above. Copy and Paste the following string to easily locate the folder.

~/Library/Application Support

8. Look for any suspicious items that are similar to the ones in Step 4. Drag them to the Trash.

9. Repeat the process on the following non-hidden folders (without ~):

/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/Application Support
/Library/Preferences

Optional : For locked files that cannot be removed, do the following:

1. Go to Launchpad, Utilities folder, open Activity Monitor.

2. Select the process you want to quit.

Force Quit Apps

3. Click on Force Quit button.

4. You may now delete or remove locked files that belongs to Searchword.news homepage hijacker.

Step 4 : Double-check with MBAM Tool for Mac

1. Download Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac from the link below.

2. Run Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac. It will check for updates and download if most recent version is available. This is necessary in finding recent malware threats including Searchword.news.

3. If it prompts to close all running web browser, please do so. Thus, we advise you to PRINT this guide for your reference before going offline.

4. Once it opens the user interface, please click on Scan button to start scanning your Mac computer.

MBAM for Mac

5. After the scan, Malwarebytes Anti-malware for Mac will display a list of identified threats, Searchword.news is surely part of it. Be sure to select all items in the list. Then, click Remove button to clean the computer.

Step 5 : Remove Searchword.news from Homepage and Search

Safari

- Open your Safari browser.
- Go to Safari Menu located on upper left hand corner, and then select Preferences.
- Under General tab, navigate to Default Search Engine section and select Google or any valid search engine.
- Next, be sure that "New Windows Open With" field is set to Homepage.
- Lastly, remove Searchword.news from the Homepage field. Replace it with your preferred URL to be set as your default homepage.

Google Chrome

- Open Chrome browser.
- Type the following on the address bar and press Enter on keyboard : chrome://settings/
- Look for 'On Startup' area.
- Select 'Open a specific page or set of pages'.
- Click on More Actions and select Edit.
- Enter the desired web address as your home page, replacing Searchword.news. Click Save.
- To set default search engine, go to Search Engine area.
- Click on 'Manage search engines...' button.
- Go to questionable Search Engine. Click on More Actions and Click 'Remove from list'.
- Go back to Search Engine area and choose valid entry from Search engine used in the address bar.

Mozilla Firefox

- Run Mozilla Firefox browser.
- Type the following on the address bar and hit Enter on keyboard : about:preferences
- On Startup area, select 'Show your home page' under 'When Firefox starts' field.
- Under Home Page field, type the desired URL to replace Searchword.news settings.
- To configure default search engine, select Search on left sidebar to display settings.
- Under Default Search Engine list, please select one.
- On the same page, you have an option to Remove unwanted search engine.

Step 6 : Delete Searchword.news Login Items

Some browser hijacker may also install login item into compromised account under System Preferences. This object automatically runs Searchword.news during user log in.

1. Go to Apple menu and choose System Preferences.

2. Select Users & Groups from the preferences window.

3. You may need to Unlock this area in order to make changes. Click on the Lock icon on lower left corner of the window.

4. Next, select user account that runs Searchword.news.

5. Click on Login Items tab.

6. Select Searchword.news or any suspicious entries from the list and click on the minus [-] button and confirm your actions. Please see image below for reference.

Screenshot of Login Items

Optional : If unable to change browser settings, execute these steps:

Some user complains that there is no way to change browser settings because it is grayed out by Searchword.news. In such situation, it is important to check if there is unwanted profile. Please do the following:

1. Quit any running applications and launch System Preferences from your Dock.

2. Under System Preferences, click Profiles.

3. Select , Searchword.news or any relevant profile from the left pane. See image below.

Remove Mac Profile

4. At the bottom of this window, click minus [-] button to delete the account. Please refer to image above.

5. Close the Profiles window and open the affected browser to change all settings associated with Searchword.news.

Get rid of Searchword.news Pop-ups (Notification)

Most of the time, browser hijackers are combined with intrusive pop-up ads originating from the source website, Searchword.news. It is taking advantage of the push notification feature of popular internet programs like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Edge. These pop-up ads from Searchword.news are extra ordinary as they exceed the normal display volume, and are certainly annoying.

Normally, Searchword.news pop-ups will start to bombard the internet browser screen with pop-ups if a web user is deceived to click the “Allow” button, which triggers the said website to send a push notification. To stop Searchword.news from showing the pop-ups, please execute the procedures below. Remember, these steps may only be successful after the removal of the main component or dubious browser extension.

Google Chrome

1. On the Google Chrome browser, input the following in the address bar and press Enter:

chrome://settings/content/notifications

2. Navigate to the list under the "Sites that sent a lot of notifications" or "Allowed to send notifications" section and look for Searchword.news.

3. Click Don't Allow beside Searchword.news. You may also click on the ellipses to reveal the options.

Push Notification Google Chrome

4. Please restart the Google Chrome browser.

Mozilla Firefox

1. On the Mozilla Firefox browser, type the following in the address bar and press the Enter key:

about:preferences#privacy

2. Navigate below to the Permissions area and look for Notifications.

Notification Settings Mozilla Firefox

3. Click the Settings button aligned with the Notifications.

4. Look for Searchword.news entry and change the Status to Block.

Block Notification Mozilla Firefox

5. Click on Save Changes, and restart Mozilla Firefox. Check if Searchword.news pop-up is gone.

Safari (Mac)

1. On the top menu, click on Safari, and then select Preferences from the drop-down list.

2. Click on the Websites tab to open its settings.

3. Select Notifications from the left sidebar.

Block Notification on Safari

4. On the right panel, it will display a list of websites with the "Allow" attribute.

5. Find and click on Searchword.news.

6. You may choose to Deny or Remove it from the notification list.

7. You may now restart the Safari browser and see if the Searchword.news pop-up is gone.

Microsoft Edge

1. Assuming that the Edge browser is open, type the following in the address bar and hit Enter on your keyboard.

edge:settings/content/all

2. In the Settings, Site Permissions area, select Searchword.news from the list.

3. Click on the Options icon. See the image below.

Push Notification on MS Edge

4. Under the All Sites section, look for Notifications and select Block to stop it from showing pop-up ads or notifications.

Block Notificaion on MS Edge

5. You may now restart Edge browser.

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