Mac Computer Virus Protection Guide: Completely Clear Search Alpha Browser Hijacker

Like all computers, your Mac can also be damaged by viruses and other malware. Among them, browser hijackers like Search Alpha are particularly annoying, which forcefully control your online sessions.

If your web browser starts automatically redirecting you to search-alpha.com, your browser has been hijacked. You need to take action, but you don't need to panic. Read on and we'll show you how to remove Search Alpha from your Mac and prevent it from appearing again.

What is Search Alpha on Mac?

Search Alpha is a variant of the Search Marquis browser hijacking program. It takes over the web browser on your Mac, redirects searches through a website that makes money for Search Alpha creators, and then directs you to Bing. It may also change other browser settings.

Why does my Mac always jump to Search Alpha?

If your Mac web browser continues to direct you to Bing via search-alpha.com, it means your Mac has been infected with Search Alpha malware. Until you remove Search Alpha from your Mac, it will continue to control your network traffic, bringing revenue to its creators while putting you and your Mac at risk.

How does Search Alpha virus infect my Mac?

Normally, Search Alpha will enter the Mac through an infected software bundle. Therefore, it is best to install applications only from the App Store and other reliable network sources.

How to remove Search Alpha from MacBook

If you think your Mac is infected with Search Alpha browser hijacking program, you need to start with the following steps:

1. Use antivirus software to automatically delete infection
2. Find and delete malicious configuration files
3. Delete any suspicious login
4. Uninstall the Search Alpha app (if you can find it)
5. Remove search-alpha.com from your web browser

1. Use antivirus software to clear Search Alpha virus

A good antivirus app is the easiest way to remove Search Alpha and other Mac viruses. Here is how to search and delete viruses using MacKeeper's antivirus tool:

1. Download, install and run MacKeeper. Select Antivirus in the sidebar.
2. Click the Start scanning button.
3. Waiting for the scan to complete.
4. If MacKeeper finds any malware, select it and click Delete .

2. Delete malicious configuration file

Malware like Search Alpha may install malicious profiles on your Mac, giving it more control over your computer. Please follow our prompts to delete these configuration files:

1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar, and select System Settings .
2. Select General > Device Management.
3. If you see any suspicious profiles here, select them and click the minus button .

3. Delete unknown login or startup item

Malware usually installs login items on your Mac. These applications will be automatically loaded after macOS is started. Here is our guide to help you find and delete suspicious login entries:

1. Open System settings and select General > Login and Extensions.
2. View the contents under when logging in. To delete the login item, select it and click the minus button .

4. Uninstall the Search Alpha app

If Search Alpha has any apps installed on your Mac, they must be recognized and deleted. We will introduce several methods below.

4.1. Delete virus through Finder

First, you should use Finder to delete suspicious applications. Just follow the steps below:

In
1. Finder, select Application from the sidebar.
Right-click on the content you want to delete and select
2. Move to Trash (or Move to Trash).
Right-click the
3. Trash icon in the Dock, and select Empty Trash (or Empty Trash).

4.2. Use Launchpad to delete viruses

You can also protect your Mac by removing suspicious apps through Launchpad. Please follow our instructions:

1. Click the Launchpad icon in the Dock.
2. Press and hold Opt key. The application icon should start to jitter.
3. If there is X on the application, you can delete it via Launchpad. Click X and select Delete .

5. Remove search-alpha.com from web browser

To protect your privacy and personal data, we strongly recommend that you delete your browser virus. The specific method depends on the browser you are using, but it usually involves deleting unwanted browser extensions. Let's see how to do this for some of the most popular Mac web browsers.

5.1. Remove browser hijacker from Safari

Can Safari be infected with the virus? Yes, including browser hijackers like Search Alpha. You need to do the following to delete them:

1. In the menu bar, select Safari > Settings .
2. Select Extension, then select an extension and click Uninstall.
3. Click to display in Finder.
4. Send the extension to your trash and clear it.

5.2. Remove Search Alpha from Google Chrome

It's easy to keep Google Chrome safe from malware. Please follow these steps to remove any Search Alpha add-ons in Chrome for Mac:

1. In the Chrome menu bar, select Chrome > Settings .
2. Click the Extension in the sidebar.
3. To delete an extension, click its Delete button.
4. Click Delete again to confirm the deletion.

5.3. Clear Search Alpha Virus from Mozilla Firefox

According to our tests, it only takes a few steps to remove the extension from the Firefox browser for Mac. If you have Search Alpha installed in Firefox, here's how to delete it:

1. Select Tools > Add-ons and Themes from the Firefox menu bar.
2. If you see the add-on you want to delete, click the three dots next to its name. Select Delete .
3. In the pop-up window, click Delete .

5.4. Remove search-alpha.com virus from Opera

As with other Mac browsers, it is also easy to remove unwanted extensions from Opera. You need to do the following:

1. In Opera, select from the menu bar to view > display the extension .
2. Find the extension you want to delete and click its Delete button.
3. Click Delete to confirm the deletion.

How to prevent Mac from Search Alpha virus

Of course, it is very useful to know how to detect and remove malware on your Mac. But, do you know what's better? Avoid malware from the beginning.

So, how do you prevent the Search Alpha virus from infecting your Mac? While there is no foolproof way to prevent malware infections, we have gathered some practical steps you can take to significantly improve your defense.

• Install antivirus: It is best to use an application like MacKeeper, which provides real-time protection. This always-on support runs quietly in the background, preventing viruses from gaining a foothold on your Mac.
• Avoid bad websites: Websites that provide pirated or adult content are known for hosting malware. If you want a virus-free Mac, stay away from them. You shouldn't click on ads anyway, as they may also load malware.
• Keep all software updates: Hackers often look for vulnerabilities in other people's applications that they can exploit. That's why Apple and other companies often release security patches for their products to plug such vulnerabilities. Make sure that macOS and all third-party applications have the latest updates installed to avoid any problems in the future.
• Don't install software bundles: Browser hijackers are usually hidden in software bundles. Avoid them and you will minimize the chance of installing this annoying malware. For security reasons, we insist on installing applications only from the Mac App Store or the official website of a trusted company.
• Note email attachments: If you receive emails from strangers, please do not download or open any attachments there. This is a common way for hackers to implant malware into other people's computers. The same applies to any instant messaging app you use on your Mac. In other words, we do not recommend opening anything from strangers.

Identify and handle threats

Browser hijackers like Search Alpha are more than just annoying. In addition to redirecting your network traffic to monetize their developers, they can also cause even greater damage – which is why it is so important to remove this malware from your Mac. Today, they may just change your search settings, but at any time, they may also steal your data or install other malware.

While you can and should take some manual steps to remove all traces of Search Alpha, you also need support from the antivirus app. MacKeeper's antivirus tool is an excellent choice. This malware cleaner provides on-demand scanning and real-time protection, so your Mac is always protected by viruses and other unwelcome visitors.

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