Bing redirect virus on Mac: Removal instruction

If you’ve noticed that the browser you use on your Mac has suddenly started redirecting to Bing whenever you try and use Google or Yahoo to search the web, your Mac has fallen prey to the Bing redirect virus. 

The current situation

In 2023, browser hijackers are on the rise again, despite the ever-improving security protocols. According to security expert Adenike Cosgrove, it’s not only your browser that can easily be hijacked but your entire account as well. As online streaming grows during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, thousands of hacked Netflix and Twitch accounts are being sold daily on the Dark Web. And clicking the wrong ad banner will easily get you there.

Mac users are just as vulnerable to adware attacks as Windows users. Have you heard of NewTab? This adware redirect virus has swarmed across the Mac world, infecting 30 million Macs. Adware, such as Bing redirect, belongs to the same family. So, here’s your guide on how to get rid of Bing on your Mac.

What is Bing redirect virus

Bing redirect isn’t a virus per se. It doesn’t replicate itself and copy itself from computer to computer over a network or using shared storage. It is, however, a form of malware known as a potentially unwanted program, or PUP. Specifically, it’s a browser hijacker, which means it intercepts your browser settings, whether you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, and changes the homepage and default search engine.

Then, it displays intrusive adverts and collects data, such as your IP address, web searches, and sites visited. That’s all done to earn money for the hackers who created it.

How did it get onto your Mac? 

Ask yourself if you’ve downloaded any applications recently. Did you see a prompt from macOS telling you that the app wasn’t downloaded from the Mac App Store and have to allow the installation in System Preferences? If so, that’s the culprit. Bing redirect bundles itself with other applications and is downloaded and installed when you download those. To avoid it, be careful about what applications you download. Make sure you know what they are and that they are safe. And avoid downloading software from sites that use proprietary download managers.

If you’re not sure whether you’ve already downloaded Bing redirect, just launch a web browser and type a search query. If it redirects to Bing, you have your answer.

Read on, and we’ll explain how to remove Bing from Chrome and other browsers.

How to remove Bing redirect virus automatically

Luckily, in 2023, many apps recognize the Bing virus. One of the latest antiviruses, CleanMyMac X, does that well. This app is notarized by Apple and detects many PUPs and key loggers, adware extensions, etc. 

If all you are looking for is to delete the Bing redirect virus, you may go with a free version of CleanMyMac X. Here’s how to remove the Bing redirect virus with CleanMyMac X:

1. Download the app — a link to a free edition — and launch it from your Applications folder.
2. Select Malware Removal from the sidebar.
3. Now, press Scan. If CleanMyMac X finds the Bing redirect virus, it should look like this:

   

4. Finally, press Remove, and your Mac will be safe again. 

As you can see, getting rid of the Bing redirect virus with CleanMyMac X is simple. Use its handy Malware Removal tool regularly to make sure that no nasty malware, such as spyware, worms, or other viruses, goes unnoticed on your Mac. 

How to destroy the Bing virus manually

There are several steps to manual Bing redirect virus removal. First, stop it from running.

1. Launch Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities.

   

2. Look for any processes that look like they may be malware. If you’re not sure, google the name of suspicious processes.
3. If you find one, select it and press the Quit Process button (X) in the toolbar.

Get rid of suspicious applications

1. Go to your Applications folder.
2. Look for any applications you don’t remember installing.
3. If you find one, uninstall it.
   

Reset homepage in browsers

Reset homepage in Safari Preferences

1. Go to the Safari menu > Preferences (Settings in macOS Ventura) > General.
2. Find the Homepage box and change what’s written there to your preferred search engine.

Reset homepage in Google Chrome

1. Type chrome://settings into the address bar.
2. Scroll down to “On startup.”
3. If the setting has been changed, change it back to your preferred homepage.

Reset homepage in Firefox 

1. Click on the three horizontal lines.
2. Choose Settings > Home.
3. Set “Homepage and new windows” to your preferred homepage.

What else can you do: Check your login items

Sometimes, malware puts itself in your login items, so it starts up when your Mac boots.

1. Go to System Preferences, choose Users & Groups, click on your user name, and choose the Login Items tab. For macOS Ventura, go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
2. Look for any suspicious login items.
3. If you find any, check the box next to them and press the “-” button. 

Remove Bing redirect from browser extensions

Many users are asking how to stop redirects caused by Bing. One of the solutions is cutting down on your browser extensions. Even seemingly helpful extensions, like parcel trackers, could be covert vehicles for Bing.

How to remove Bing redirect from Safari

1. Launch Safari, then click on the Safari menu and select Preferences (Settings in macOS Ventura).
2. Click on the Extensions tab.
3. Look for an extension that you haven’t installed or that seems suspicious.
4. Select it and press Uninstall.

How to remove Bing redirect from Chrome extensions

1. Launch Chrome.
2. Type chrome://extensions into the address bar.
3. Look for an extension that you haven’t installed or that seems suspicious.
4. Click Remove next to the extension.

   

   
   
5. Go back to settings and select “Search engine.”
6. From the drop-down menu next to the “Search engine used in the address bar,” choose the one you want to use.
   

How to remove Bing redirect from Firefox

1. Launch Firefox and click on the three horizontal lines on the right of the toolbar.
2. Choose “Add-ons and themes.”
3. Select Extensions and look for an extension that you haven’t installed and that seems suspicious.
4. Press Remove.

   

5. Click on the three horizontal lines again.
6. Choose Settings > Search and set the search engine to the one you want to use under “Default Search Engine.”

Once you’ve completed the above steps, the Bing redirect virus should have been removed, and your browser should work normally. To make sure you aren’t infected with any further malware, be careful about what you download. Never click on a pop-up window that appears when you visit a website and tells you that software is out of date or that you must download an app to continue.

It’s also worth trying a dedicated app uninstaller like the one in CleanMyMac X. 

So, what is Bing redirect essentially? For some, it might be just a nuisance, but what if it steals your credit card details? So, you should remove it as soon as you become aware of it. 

Fortunately, removing it isn’t very difficult if you follow the steps above carefully. Once you’ve removed it, it’s worth scanning your Mac with an antivirus tool or CleanMyMac X’s Malware Removal tool. 

Frequently asked questions

How to find out if your Mac is infected by Bing redirect?

Bing redirect is a browser hijacker, which means it takes over your browser, whether it’s Chrome, Safari, or Firefox, and changes the homepage and default search engine. If your Mac’s infected with Bing redirect, you will likely see pop-ups, banners, and other intrusive ads in your browser.

How is Bing redirect related to the Bing search engine?

Bing is a legitimate search engine, and it isn’t malicious at all. The creators of Bing redirect used the Bing brand name to trick users into downloading this PUP.

How does Bing redirect get into your Mac?

Bing redirect finds its way on your Mac following the easiest pattern: it disguises itself as a third-party app. If you have installed some apps recently, Bing redirect could have been bundled with them. Next time you install an app, pay attention to installation steps to deselect the installation of third-party apps that can be malicious.

Why does my search engine keeps changing to Bing?

Most likely, you have unknowingly installed the Bing virus as part of a software bundle. The best way to fix it is to use a dedicated antivirus.

How to stop Bing from opening on startup

Open your Login Items on Mac and disable all non-essential items. As a nuclear option, fully delete and reinstall your browser that is affected by Bing.

How to change Bing to Google

You can reset your default search engine in Chrome > Settings > Search engine. Or follow the steps we outlined for Safari and Firefox. That doesn’t delete parts of the virus that are still present in your system.