Tag Archive for: Mac’

How to remove Search Alpha from Mac

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Have you recently noticed suspicious browser redirects through “search-alpha.com” on your Mac? If the answer is yes, your Mac has contracted a Search Alpha virus, a browser hijacker that redirects web traffic to Microsoft’s Bing search engine.

This nasty piece of malware can fill your screen with unwanted ads, modify default browser settings, and direct you to shady websites filled with more dangerous viruses. This can lead to even more threats to your device and sensitive information.

In this article, we’ll explain step by step how to remove Search Alpha from your Mac. We’ll also offer the best Search Alpha removal tool.

Remove Search Alpha from Mac with TotalAV

TotalAV is the easiest way to remove Search Alpha or any other virus from your Mac. Its real-time online threat detection also prevents future infections.

What is search-alpha.com?

Search-alpha.com is a browser hijacker virus that redirects users’ web traffic to the Bing search engine.

Search-alpha.com

The data flow is first redirected through “search-location.com” and then jumps to “api.lisumanagerine.club”, which are well-known hijacking domains. Finally, the user is landed on the Bing search engine with unwanted ads or modified results.

Although Search Alpha is primarily designed to monetize web traffic on a Mac environment, browser hijackers are capable of more serious damage. They can collect private information like the original IP address, browsing, and search histories. Unwanted ads can contain spyware or keyloggers to extract online account credentials for possible financial damages.

Name Search Alpha virus
Type Browser hijacker
Affected devices Mac computers
Symptoms Unwanted redirects through “search-alpha.com”, altered browser default settings (home and new tab pages, default search engine), intrusive ads and pop-ups, unwanted apps and/or browser extensions, general decrease in device performance
Damage Personal data leak, increased risk of future contaminations, decrease in device and browser performance, identity theft


Protect your Mac with TotalAV

Similar scam examples

The Search-Alpha virus did not surprise our malware analyst because it’s a variant of the well-known Search Marquis browser hijacker. In…

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Apple patches zero-day bug used in cyberattacks — update your iPhone, iPad and Mac now

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Apple has released a fix for a recently discovered zero-day bug in its latest round of Rapid Security Response (RSR) updates.

As reported by BleepingComputer, this new zero-day affects all iPhones, iPads and Macs including those that are fully up to date.

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How To Easily Fix Avast Not Working on Mac

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As Mac owners, we often hear about the importance of security software in protecting our data and privacy. Avast is a popular antivirus software choice for Mac owners, but what happens when it is not working anymore? In this article, we will explore the issues you may encounter with Avast on Mac and solutions for resolving them.

Does Avast Work on Macs?

Yes, Avast does work on Macs. It is a well-known antivirus program designed to protect computers from malware and other security threats. Avast offers a range of products for Mac, including Avast Security for Mac which provides protection against viruses, ransomware, and other malware threats, and Avast Premium Security which adds additional features like Wi-Fi intruder alerts and ransomware protection.

What To Do if Avast Is Not Working on Mac?

If you find that Avast is not working on your Mac, there may be a compatibility issue between the version of macOS you are running and the version of Avast installed. Here’s how to update your macOS and Avast:

  1. Click on the Apple menu > System Settings.
    system settings
  2. Click on General > Software Update.
    software update mac
  3. If an update is available, click on Download and Install and follow the on-screen instructions.
  4. To update Avast open Avast Security then go to Menu > Preferences and click Update Now.
    menu preferences

After updating macOS, check if Avast is working properly.

Does Mac Recommend Antivirus?

Apple has often been known to suggest that its macOS is secure and does not necessarily require an antivirus. However, in reality, no system is immune to threats. An additional layer of security is never a bad idea. As the number of Mac users grows, so does the interest of cybercriminals in targeting this platform. Moreover, even your iPhone and iPad can use an extra layer of protection.

While Avast is a reputable antivirus program, it is not the only option for Mac users. One notable alternative worth considering is Intego Internet Security. The antivirus is built exclusively for Mac, which means that its developers focus solely on Mac security. This specialization allows Intego to offer features finely tuned to the macOS environment.

intego mac security features

Intego Internet Security offers a suite of tools, including VirusBarrier (antivirus protection),…

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8 best practices for securing your Mac from hackers in 2023

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Best practices for securing your Mac against potential hacks and security vulnerabilities include enabling the firewall, using strong passwords and encryption, and enabling Lockdown Mode.

Laptop and smartphone with locked and unlocked padlock
Image: Daniel Beckemeier/Adobe Stock

As the popularity of Macs grows so does the interest of hackers who look for vulnerabilities to exploit. Fortunately, there are best practices you can follow to secure your Mac and protect yourself against hack attempts.

SEE: Here’s how to secure your Mac’s data via the Full Disk Access settings.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the ways to protect yourself and show you how to make your Mac as secure as possible against hackers and those who would try to collect your data.

Jump to:

1. Keep your software updated

One of the most important steps you can take to secure your Mac is to keep your software updated (Figure A). Apple releases security updates regularly to patch vulnerabilities hackers can exploit. Keeping your software updated ensures you have the latest security patches and protections against emerging threats.

Figure A

Keeping your Mac up to date is your first line of defense against hackers.
Keeping your Mac up to date is your first line of defense against hackers.

Updating your Mac is as easy as doing the following:

  1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
  2. Select System Settings.
  3. Select General | Software Update, and follow the prompts to update any software.

Software is also distributed through the Mac App Store. To update software that has been purchased or downloaded from the App Store:

  1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
  2. Select App Store.
  3. Select Updates, then Update All.

2. Enable the firewall

The Firewall is a built-in security feature of macOS that blocks unauthorized incoming network traffic, and it is a great tool to enable if your Mac is regularly on Wi-Fi or Ethernet networks you don’t personally control. It helps protect your Mac from hackers trying to access your computer remotely or on the same local area network.

To enable the Firewall, go to System Settings | Network | Firewall, and turn it on. This will cause certain services and ports to become unavailable when it’s turned on and further protect from unwanted…

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