We created this article to help people who want to remove Searchsnow.com from their affected Mac operating systems. Use this removal guide and stay safe.
Searchsnow Virus
Searchsnow.com is a browser hijacker that is designed to affect popular browsers installed on Mac operating systems. Mac users whose systems are affected by this hijacker consider it as a virus. The good news is that the Searchsnow.com hijacker is a potentially unwanted program that does not act in a malicious way. Its primary goal is to generate revenue for its developers.
The program is being spread via techniques that hide its installation process including software packages, malicious advertising, and hacked websites. Once the program finds a way to load on your Mac, it stealthily replaces the homepage of your preferred web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) with its hoax search engine. It may be designed to redirect your searches to other questionable search engines like Akamaihd.net.
Security experts advise affected users to remove Searchsnow.com from their affected Macs as soon as they detect it.
SearchSnow Summary
| Name | SearchSnow (Searchsnow.com) also related to searchbaron.com, searchmarquis.com, mybrowser-search.com, api.lisumanagerine.club, search.surfharvest.xyz |
| Type | Browser hijacker, browser redirect, PUP |
| Short Description | A questionable website that hijacks Chrome, Safari and other browsers installed on macOS. Performs browser modifications without your knowledge. Generates annoying ads. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search engine in preferred web browser may be set to display a hoax search engine. Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The program may start every time you start the affected Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Fake Flash Updates |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SearchSnow. |
SearchSnow on Mac – How does it spread? What does it do?
SearchSnow is a potentially undesired app for Mac that is detected to operate as a browser hijacker. It alters main browser settings without your knowledge and forces you to use the services of a hoax search engine. Once it obtains access to a macOS, SearchSnow replaces the default search engine and homepage settings with the associated URL searchsnow.com.
SearchSnow Mac infection has the primary goal to monetize its presence on affected Mac devices. In fact, its search engine is not developed to generate reliable search results but to record browsing data and serve sponsored content instead.
Browser hijackers are apps that are configured to collect various information. By doing this, the app SearchSnow helps its owners to configure ad campaigns that match your online interests. As a result, you are expected to be more prone to visit sponsored results and click ads generated by the program.
The advertisements that may be displayed by Searchsnow.com may be of the following types:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirects.
- Push notifications.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Ad-supported search results.
The undesired program SearchSnow is not malicious. Hence, it is not a Mac virus. However, all these ads it pushes may expose the affected system at risk of serious malware infection. Sometimes, ads delivered by PUPs link to suspicious sites that host rogue apps, online scams, and malicious software. In the unfortunate event that you happen to visit such a page, you may end up a victim of fraudsters or hackers.
Furthermore, by manipulating browsing traffic, searchsnow.com is able to redirect to other bogus sites as a way to support their suspicious activities. A few reports by affected Mac users indicate that infection with this browser hijacker may also trigger redirects to the SearchMarquis hoax search for Mac. Similar to SearchMarquis, SearchSnow is an extremely persistent infection that can be deleted only with the help of specialized steps. You can find all these steps in the SearchSnow Mac removal guide that follows.
There are a few other domains which if you see in the browser, may suggest that your Mac is affected by the unwanted SearchSnow. Here are the ones we know about:
- searchbaron.com
- searchmarquis.com
- mybrowser-search.com
- api.lisumanagerine.club
- search.surfharvest.xyz
You have probably missed the moment when the unwanted Searchsnow.com got installed on your Mac. This is one of the main reasons why apps like SearchSnow are called potentially undesired programs. Typically, such programs are delivered with the help of shady techniques like software bundling, corrupted freeware installers, fake software update notifications, various torrent files, and others. All these techniques aim to trick you into installing unwanted programs without noticing the installation process.
There is a popular Adobe Flash Player update scam that has been lurking the web for quite some time. This scam is displayed by rogue popup ads and it is usually available on poorly secured or hacked sites. It is considered to be one of the main techniques used for the propagation of the SearchSnow Mac virus.
For the sake of your online and macOS security, it’s best to consider the complete removal of SearchSnow from Chrome, Safari and other affected browsers. A complete solution to the annoying redirecting issue is possible with the help of a thorough removal process. Don’t forget that there are some harmful files and entries created by the PUP that will keep altering browsing settings as long as they are present on the macOS.
How to Remove SearchSnow from Mac
In order to remove SearchSnow (searchsnow.com) along with all entries it created on the Mac system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents manual and automatic removal approaches. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. The manual SearchSnow removal might be a quite complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
Notice: Before manually removing files or folders on your Mac, make sure to identify the accurate components of Searchsnow.com, because deleting other apps’ files or system settings files by mistake may trigger malfunction of installed apps or even your system.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove SearchSnow files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchSnow, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall SearchSnow and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to SearchSnow:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to SearchSnow. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to SearchSnow. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove SearchSnow via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as SearchSnow. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove SearchSnow – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SearchSnow-FAQ
What is SearchSnow on your Mac?
The SearchSnow threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like SearchSnow?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from SearchSnow?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the SearchSnow Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SearchSnow how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on SearchSnow?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the SearchSnow threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.