You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

how do you reset safari to factory settings?

It looks like whenever I search something on google, after displaying the search for say, 5 seconds, safari goes to another search window (Bing) and then any related website(depending on what I have searched) opens up on its own on my Mac book pro.( I have OS -Big Sur) I think resetting safari to its Default settings might get rid of this problem. Please advise and direct how to? TIA.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Sep 14, 2023 4:44 AM

Reply
3 replies

Sep 23, 2023 6:03 PM in response to Steven_sd

Thanks. A number of those files (most) need to be deleted. I'll get to that later, but to be absolutely certain we are identifying the correct files to delete, please review my instructions regarding the information that needs to be captured.


Specifically,


  • Make sure all that folder's file names are readable by selecting View > as List or other selection that shows that folder's complete contents, including complete file names.


and


  • Once again ensure all its files and their names are readable and capture a screenshot.


and


  • When posting your message, please review and confirm the screenshots you post reveal complete, readable file names. If they do not, then please review the above instructions.


With the caveat that the following procedure may be incomplete pending that missing information, please follow the instructions below.



First, ensure you have a reliable backup of your Mac, in case something should go wrong with continued troubleshooting. To learn how to do that, please read Back up your Mac with Time Machine.


  • A backup is a fundamental prerequisite regardless of whatever method you may choose uninstall adware, and would apply even if your Mac were running perfectly well. Do not overlook this fundamental requirement. It's important.


Next: This step will prevent the scam products from loading so that they can be removed while they are inactive. Restart in "Safe Mode", and log in: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support. Starting in Safe Mode takes longer than usual so let it finish. The rogue processes affecting that Mac are inoperative in "Safe Mode".


The following files and / or folders need to be deleted while using your Mac in "Safe Mode":


First screenshot: ~/Library/LaunchAgents


  • Drag all the files in that folder to the Trash.


Second screenshot: /Library/LaunchDaemons


  • Nothing needs to be deleted from the folder in the second screenshot.


Third screenshot: /Library/LaunchAgents


  • Drag the file with ryderd in its name to the Trash.


Drag those selections of files to the Trash. You may be asked to authenticate. Confirm they are no longer present in those folders. Leave all the others alone for now.


Next: open Safari and select the Safari menu > Preferences (or Settings) > Extensions. If you see any Safari Extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone. No Safari Extensions are required for normal operation. Then, select the General pane and review your Homepage selection. Then, select the Search pane and confirm your desired Search Engine. Repeat those equivalent actions for any other browser you may use (Brave, Firefox, or Opera for example).


There may also be adware-associated app icons in your Mac's Applications folder. Open it and examine its contents. Any unwanted or mysterious app icons should be obvious to you, but again please don't remove anything if you are uncertain—ask first. Identify any suspicious apps by name, or post another screenshot.


Next: In an abundance of caution, examine System Preferences (or Settings) > Extensions. Determine if there are any System Extensions that may have been installed without your knowledge. Ask if you're uncertain.


Remaining in System Preferences, check for the presence of any Profiles. Profiles are installed by organizations with a need to manage Macs deployed in institutional corporate or educational environments (for example), but have also been exploited by adware creators and similar malcontents. If any Profiles are installed on your Mac an icon like this will appear in System Preferences:



If you see that icon in System Preferences, select it. To remove a Profile, select it, then click the [—] (minus) button and authenticate.


Remaining in System Preferences, open Users & Groups. Select your User Account's Login Items. You may or may not find those Applications in its list. If you do, select them then click the [—] (minus) button to remove them from Login Items.


You can then restart your Mac and log in as usual. Evaluate its operation and ensure everything is working as you expect it should.


Next: if you want to eradicate all remaining adware remnants post a screenshot of the following folder, in the same manner as you did earlier:


~/Library/Application Support


It is normal for that folder to contain many items, but anything associated with the above adware may contain identical names. If you find a folder or folders bearing those names, drag those folders to the Trash. Without the files you already removed or the reintroduction of similar malware, they can do nothing but occupy space. These can be removed if you wish, but again don't remove anything if you are uncertain.


Finally: If any of the above actions result in abnormal operation or if something else stops working, the easiest way to recover would be to restore the Time Machine backup you created as a prerequisite, so the importance of that fundamental step cannot be overemphasized.

how do you reset safari to factory settings?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.