What Is Searchnewshighlights.com Redirect (Mac)
Searchnewshighlights.com is a domain that has been reported to be in relation with multiple different types of browser redirect activities. This domain has been regarded to be associated with a potentially unwanted program, that is also known as a browser hijacker. This is because the software behind this domain “hijacks” your web browser and may change all the default web pages (home, new tab) of it so that you see Searchnewshighlights.com instead. The main idea of these types of programs is to generate profit to their developers by showing you tons of ads.
Since these ads may slow your Mac down significantly and also lead you to sites that are risky for your Mac, recommendations are to focus on removing this risky app from your Mac.
Searchnewshighlights.com Summary
| Name | Searchnewshighlights.com |
| Type | Browser Hijacker for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Searchnewshighlights.com. |
Searchnewshighlights.com Mac – Further Information
Searchnewshighlights.com is yet another browser hijacker with adware elements in it for Mac. We have detected a recent wave of such programs and they are growing in number every day. Other similar programs, just like Searchnewshighlights.com we have seen recently are AnalyzerDivision, Searchlee and Yahoo Redirect Virus for Mac.
What all of these applications have in common is that once they enter your Mac, they may immediately attack your web browsers. The following browsers may be at risk:
- Mozilla Firefox.
- Google Chrome.
- Safari.
- Opera.
These browsers may have Searchnewshighlights.com to be set as their default address bar search, home page and new tab page. This software may appear useful at first, but its main purpose is to flood your Mac with ads of all types. The reason for that is this is how the people behind it make a profit. And these people do not care what types of ads you see on your Mac, as long as they get paid. This means that you could receive an ad or a browser transfer to websites that may be dangerous for your Mac. Such sites include:
- Malware domains.
- Fake tech support frauds.
- Fake surveys.
- Scams.
- More adware.
But ad-supported results that appear each time you search for something through Searchnewshighlights.com are not your only concern. Other ads may also begin appearing on your computer and they can be the following kinds:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirections.
- Push notification ads.
- Banners.
Besides leading you to dangerous websites and slowing down your Mac significantly, those advertisements may pose other types of risks for your device and information. They could use trackers, like cookies, tags, geo-location identifiers, device identifiers, pixels and others to see what it is exactly that you do online. These trackers can be utilized to see the following data from your browsers:
- What you type on the sites you visit.
- Your browsing history.
- Your search history.
- What you click on.
- Your personal bookmarks on your browser.
These tracking objects can remain long after Searchnewshighlights.com is deleted from your Mac and they can silently get information from you without your consent.
These are the primary reasons to consider getting rid of Searchnewshighlights.com immediately.
Remove Searchnewshighlights.com from Your Mac
To completely remove Searchnewshighlights.com from your browsers as well as macOS, we urge you to follow the instructions below. They are made to help you uninstall this threat based on your specific device preferences. For best results and complete removal of programs, like Searchnewshighlights.com, we strongly recommend following the experts’ advice. It involves downloading and running a scan of your Mac by using an advanced anti-malware program, that has been created to detect and fully remove trackers, malware and adware and protect your Mac.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and 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 Searchnewshighlights.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Searchnewshighlights.com, 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 Searchnewshighlights.com 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 Searchnewshighlights.com:
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 Searchnewshighlights.com. 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 Searchnewshighlights.com. 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 Searchnewshighlights.com 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 Searchnewshighlights.com. 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 Searchnewshighlights.com – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Searchnewshighlights.com-FAQ
What is Searchnewshighlights.com on your Mac?
The Searchnewshighlights.com 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 Searchnewshighlights.com?
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 Searchnewshighlights.com?
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 Searchnewshighlights.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Searchnewshighlights.com 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 Searchnewshighlights.com?
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 Searchnewshighlights.com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.