Views:

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

In this guide, you will learn:

Tired of the Bing Redirect Search Engine virus wreaking havoc on your Mac? Not only does it forcefully redirect your homepage to search.bing.com, but it also floods your search results with sponsored content. What's worse, it can compromise your online security by collecting your IP address and browsing data.

What is Bing Redirect?

Before we dive into the removal process, let's shed some light on what Bing Redirect is:

  • Not a Virus: While Bing Redirect isn't technically a virus, it's frequently exploited by browser hijackers to reroute your search queries and flood your results with sponsored content.
  • Homepage Hijack: This pesky intruder snatches control of your browser's homepage, replacing it with search.bing.com without your consent.
  • Invasive Advertising: Bing Redirect doesn't stop at redirection; it bombards you with irritating advertisements and quietly gathers your IP address, search history, and visited websites.

How Bing Redirect Got Installed

You may find Bing Redirect installed on your Mac through various deceptive means, such as:

  • Deceptive pop-up ads
  • Free software installers
  • Third-party file downloads

Removing Bing Redirect Manually

Follow these manual steps to remove Bing Redirect from your Mac:

STEP 1: Remove Suspicious Login Items

  1. Go to > System Preferences...> Users & Groups.
  2. Make sure your profile is highlighted and the lock icon is unlocked, then click the Login Items tab.
  3. Click on any recently-added suspicious applications, then click the - (minus) sign to disable the application.

STEP 2: Remove Malicious Profile Configurations

Check if there are profile configurations recently added on your Mac that may affect how your mac and its installed apps works. It is not common to have a profile unless you create a personalized configuration for your mac computer. Malicious profiles are usually bundled from third party apps.

  1. Go to > System Preferences > Profiles.
    You can skip this solution if there is NO Profiles in System Preferences. It means there is no installed or created Profile Configuration on your Mac.
  2. Check and choose any profile that you did not set up. Select the profile, then click the button to remove it.

STEP 3: Stop Suspicious Processes

  1. Go to Activity Monitor.
  2. Check under Process Name if there is a running process related to Bing Redirect.
  3. Click the process and hit the X icon.

STEP 4: Remove Bing Redirect from Applications

Remove installed application on your Mac that may have been a bundled program installed from a third-party app that you are not familiar.

Note: Be careful when deleting files in these locations. If you are not sure on what you are doing, contact us at mac_support@trendmicro.com

  1. Go to Finder > Go > Applications.
  2. Double-click Uninstall Bing Redirect or Bing Redirect Uninstaller, and follow its instructions.
  3. Drag all Bing Redirect from the Applications folder to the Trash .
  4. Empty Trash.

STEP 5: Remove Bing Redirect Extensions on Web Browsers

Remove installed browser extensions that might cause the redirection:

For Safari

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
  3. Look for Bing Redirect extension, then click the Uninstall button.

For Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Go to Chrome > Preferences > Extensions.
  3. Look for Bing Redirect extension, then click the Uninstall button.

For Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Go to Firefox > Preferences > Extensions & Themes.
  3. Under Manage your Extensions, look for Bing Redirect extension.
  4. Click the icon beside the extension, then click the Remove button.

STEP 6: Remove Bing Redirect Files and Folders

  1. Open Finder.
  2. On your keyboard, press COMMAND + SHIFT + . at the same time to show hidden files.
  3. Click Go > Go to Folder....
  4. Type the following locations below one at time, then click Go:
    • ~/Library/LaunchAgents
    • /Library/LaunchAgents
    • /Library/LaunchDaemons
  5. Drag and drop Bing Redirect-related items to Trash.

STEP 7: Fix Website Redirection Settings on Web Browsers

Revert back any changes done whenever you search online.

For Safari

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy.
  3. Click the Manage Website Data... button, then click Remove All.

For Chrome

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Go to Chrome > Preferences > Search engine.
  3. Select Manage search engines and site search.
  4. Under Search engines, choose a search engine to use as your default.
  5. Remove other search engines you are unfamiliar of or do not use.

For Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Go to Firefox > Preferences > Search.
  3. Under Default Search Engine, select your preferred search engine.

STEP 8: Reset Your Browser

Before resetting, back up your favorites/bookmarks first. This will uninstall add-ons, delete browser history, reset your homepage and remove all custom settings.

Visit the Cybersecurity Learning Center!

BOOST YOUR DEVICE'S LIFESPAN AND PRODUCTIVITY

Explore strategies to enhance your device's performance and get valuable insights on safeguarding yourself against scams, maintaining network security, and protecting your personal identity.

Visit our πŸ‘‰ Cybersecurity Learning Center! πŸ‘ˆ

Remove Bing Redirect with Antivirus One

It may take some time to go through every browser and settings mentioned in all the steps listed above. Antivirus One can protect your Mac from all potential risks and attacks, so you can enjoy browsing online. It also provides real-time scanning and eliminates browser hijackers before they even leave a trace.

Download Trend Micro Antivirus One.

For Trend Micro Antivirus One Users

If you already have Trend Micro Antivirus One installed, follow these steps to remove Bing Redirect:

  1. Open Antivirus One.
  2. Click Adware Cleaner, then click Clean Now.

By following these steps, you can successfully remove Bing Redirect from your Mac, ensuring a safer and more secure browsing experience.

Ask The Community!

Need more answers on Device Care and Security? Share your questions or join discussions to our Trend Micro Community!

Go to Community!

Keywords: how to get rid of bing redirect on mac,bing redirect virus mac,uninstall bing redirect mac,how to remove bing redirect on mac,what is bing redirect on mac,how to uninstall bing redirect on mac,how to remove bing redirect mac,cant uninstall bing redirect mac
Comments (0)
Add a comment