Chrome and Safari replaced by generic "search" broswer

My search browsers on both Safari and Google Chrome have suddenly been changed to a generic browser that says "search" in the guise of Google's signature colours (see image below). Is this malware? Because it certainly seems suspicious. Also, Bing was suddenly made my default search browser, overtaking Google Chrome which I have specified as my default search. If this is malware, what's the best way to remove from my computer? Thank you.


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MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014), macOS Mojave (10.14)

Posted on Oct 16, 2018 1:15 AM

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2 replies

Oct 16, 2018 2:07 AM in response to julianelias

That's probably a search-redirect that may pose problems for you.


• How To Remove ChumSearch.com redirect from Mac (macOS Guide)


The initial idea in the above, is to use manual methods to find/remove

the ChumSearch; after those, see the link below to get MalwareBytes

and/or Etrecheck. Manual methods may work for browser extensions.


Look into extensions in your browser to see where it leads. There

area a few known 'bad browser redirects' some use extensions in

Safari or Chrome. The following (link) removes adware etc. This was

created by a contributor to these ASC discussions in good standing.


This can work, runs for free (in limited form after initial trial) & can help:

Malwarebytes for Mac — Mac Antivirus Replacement | Malwarebytes


Another product from Etrecheckcan resolve issues, create reports,

and these can be used to remove several kinds of problematic items..

Also has free limited version; I have each, malwarebytes + etrecheck.

Both of these were created by fellow Apple support contributors.


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Chrome and Safari replaced by generic "search" broswer

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