Unwanted search engine extension

Hello,


I have an unwanted search engine extension that I can't seem to get rid of!


Whenever I open safari or google chrome it opens with a search engine that has not secure - search.searchpulse.net as the address.


When I search something, either in the search bar on the fake search engine, or in the search bar at the top, the website address is uk.search.yahoo.com. It's the same on google chrome too.


Does anyone know how to get rid of this and make google the search engine?

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on May 6, 2020 3:14 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 6, 2020 6:43 PM

You have adware/malware installed. Use  Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac. It may be necessary to run more than one scan.  After scanning a couple of times, restart the computer and test. If necessary, follow the manual instructions.  Do not download any other programs that are listed in the articles.  


Search.serachpulse,net uninstall


Also check Safari/Preferences/General to see what your Home Page is set to. If Searchpulse, change it.


Safari Homepage setting greyed out       https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8637822


Then check System Preferences/Profiles to see if there are any you didn’t install. Delete them.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 6, 2020 6:43 PM in response to rosecomber17

You have adware/malware installed. Use  Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac. It may be necessary to run more than one scan.  After scanning a couple of times, restart the computer and test. If necessary, follow the manual instructions.  Do not download any other programs that are listed in the articles.  


Search.serachpulse,net uninstall


Also check Safari/Preferences/General to see what your Home Page is set to. If Searchpulse, change it.


Safari Homepage setting greyed out       https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8637822


Then check System Preferences/Profiles to see if there are any you didn’t install. Delete them.

May 6, 2020 3:57 PM in response to rosecomber17

Hi rosecomber17,


Welcome to Apple Support Communities. I understand you'd like to use Google as your primary search engine in Safari and in Google Chrome.


Customizing the search engine to your personal preference is an important feature in the macOS operating system. I'll be happy to help.


You can adjust and change the search engine to Google by following the steps outlined in this helpful article: Customize searching in Safari on Mac


To adjust the search engine for Google Chrome, I suggest following the steps outlined on Google's website in this link: Set your default search engine


Please let us know if that helps.


Kind regards.

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Unwanted search engine extension

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