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Search Pulse has taken over my Safari preferences. How do I get rid of Search Pulse?

Search Pulse has taken over my Safari preferences. How do I get rid of Search Pulse?

My iMac's operating system is Catalina 10.15.2. Safari is version 13.0.4 (15608.4.9.1.3). Here is what my preferences look like (See image). <search.searchpulse.net> is what I get upon opening a New Window. Google is my search engine.

iMac 27", macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 5, 2020 7:23 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 5, 2020 9:04 AM

   1. Remove unknown profiles if present.


      System Preferences > Profiles

      Open System Preferences, click the “Profiles” icon ( a checkmark on a gear) .

      When Profiles pane opens, select the unknown profile and click the minus button at the bottom.


  2. Remove unknown extensions:  Safari > Preferences > Extensions

      https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-safari-extensions-sfri32508/mac


   3. Check for adware.


       Run the latest release of Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware/adware, if installed on your Mac.

       For instructions:  Install Malwarebytes for Mac          Uninstall Malwarebytes for Mac

       Click the “Scan Now” button. Once done, quit Malwarebytes for Mac.

       Restart the computer and relaunch Safari holding the shift key down.


       Additional steps if necessary.


  4. Reset search engine:    https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/customize-your-search-ibrwe75c2a3c/mac

  5. Reset  Homepage.   https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/set-your-homepage-ibrw1020/mac 

  6. Restart your Mac. Relaunch Safari holding the Shift key down.      

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 5, 2020 9:04 AM in response to Horus-Mordecai

   1. Remove unknown profiles if present.


      System Preferences > Profiles

      Open System Preferences, click the “Profiles” icon ( a checkmark on a gear) .

      When Profiles pane opens, select the unknown profile and click the minus button at the bottom.


  2. Remove unknown extensions:  Safari > Preferences > Extensions

      https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/use-safari-extensions-sfri32508/mac


   3. Check for adware.


       Run the latest release of Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware/adware, if installed on your Mac.

       For instructions:  Install Malwarebytes for Mac          Uninstall Malwarebytes for Mac

       Click the “Scan Now” button. Once done, quit Malwarebytes for Mac.

       Restart the computer and relaunch Safari holding the shift key down.


       Additional steps if necessary.


  4. Reset search engine:    https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/customize-your-search-ibrwe75c2a3c/mac

  5. Reset  Homepage.   https://support.apple.com/guide/safari/set-your-homepage-ibrw1020/mac 

  6. Restart your Mac. Relaunch Safari holding the Shift key down.      

Jan 7, 2020 2:01 PM in response to dominic23

Thank you, Dominic23.


There were no extensions @ Safari preferences to remove. I had recently installed Malwarebytes, and eliminated a small page of parasitic files, per the suggestion in a previous post. It wasn't until you mentioned Safari>Preferences>Profiles that I found the culprit. SearchPulse has been removed. Now, I have control over my Safari Preferences. Thanx again. :-)

Search Pulse has taken over my Safari preferences. How do I get rid of Search Pulse?

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