How to remove Search Marquis from Mac and restore your browsers

Search Marquis is an upgraded version of the Bing redirect virus. As a browser hijacker, it causes unwanted browser changes and endless redirects. Having it on your Mac is not only annoying but also unsafe. Although Search Marquis won’t ruin your system, it may steal your personal data and open the door to more hazardous threats.

Cleaning the compromised computer of the malicious code might be a great challenge. Today, we’ll show you how to remove Search Marquis from Mac and protect your device from future attacks.

What is Search Marquis?

Search Marquis is a browser hijacker and potentially unwanted program (PUP) that pretends to be a useful extension. It claims to optimize your search and browsing experience. But instead of providing a flawless service, the app sneaks into your Mac and turns your browsing into a nightmare. 

These pseudo-apps like Search Marquis tend to exploit the Bing search engine to look more legitimate. But before redirecting to Bing, they lead you through a bunch of questionable sites. This way, some folks over in China reroute traffic and generate revenue.

How to tell if your Mac is infected with Search Marquis

Once installed, the rogue tool modifies browser settings without your permission. It changes the homepage, search engine, and new tab page to its own website. As a result, you visit it repeatedly. Worst of all, you can’t undo the changes.

Some other tell-tale signs of being infected with Search Marquis include the following: 

• New and unrecognized add-ons installed without your knowledge and consent.
• Suspicious pop-up ads, banners, and in-text links appear all the time.
• Constant redirects to potentially harmful websites.

Search Marquis can considerably reduce system performance, overload the CPU, and freeze up your browser. On top of that, the crooks might collect browser-related data from your computer, such as IP address, search queries, browsing history, etc.

Two ways to delete Search Marquis from your Mac

So, how to remove Search Marquis from Mac? There are two ways to get rid of the browser hijacker: manual and automatic. If you have free time and energy to cope with system settings, you may prefer manual removal. Be sure to move the instructions in a specific order.

Alternatively, you can fast forward to the automatic removal with CleanMyMac X.

How to destroy Search Marquis with CleanMyMac X

This Mac cleaner app is, to its respect, notarized by Apple, so it’s a confirmed safe approach to try. CleanMyMac X eliminates any malicious elements and cleans up your Mac from various kinds of digital clutter. Here’s how its Malware Removal works:

1. Download CleanMyMac X — get your copy here for free.
2. Open it and go to the Malware Removal tab.
3. Click Scan to kickstart the detection process.
4. Once done, hit Remove to delete the malware once and for all.

Now, check your browsers — or better — restart your Mac. There should not be any trace of Search Marquis on your Mac. If your browser still redirects you to dubious sites and shows multiple ads, consider resetting its default settings. CleanMyMac X saves you time and lets you fully reset your browser in a few clicks:

1. Open CleanMyMac X and go to Uninstaller.
2. Select the box next to Chrome or Firefox.
3. Click the arrows to the right of Uninstall.
4. Choose Reset and click the Reset button.

CleanMyMac X also offers real-time protection to check your system for threats in the background. You’ll instantly find out if it reveals any unusual activity. To set up the background scan and keep your computer protected:

1. Go to your menu bar and click the CleanMyMac X icon.
   
2. Сlick Turn On in the Protection section.

This will enable a real-time malware monitor.

For more insights, click the Protection monitor. Here, you can find out about the Background Scan and update your Malware Database to make sure CleanMyMac X catches the latest threats on your Mac.

How to delete Search Marquis manually in 4 steps

Step 1. Trash malicious applications

1. Click the Go menu in the Finder and choose Utilities. Alternatively, press and hold the Shift-Command-U keyboard shortcut.
2. Open Activity Monitor and quit any processes related to Search Marquis by clicking the Force Quit button (X) in the toolbar.
   
   
3. Head over to the Go menu > Applications (Shift-Command-A).
4. Identify any recent apps you don’t remember installing.
5. Drag them to the Trash.

Step 2. Check and remove suspicious login items

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings > General.
2. Choose the Login Items tab.
3. If you notice anything that should be there, check the box next to it and click the ‘−’ button.

Step 3. Get rid of malware-related leftovers

1. Go to the Go menu > Go to Folder (Shift-Command-G) to open up the Go to Folder window.
2. Copy each of the following folder names and paste them into the search box. Press Return after each one:
   
   ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/Application Support
~/Library/Application Support
   
   

   

   
   
3. Inspect each folder for the items with ‘search marquis ’ in their name.
4. If you find any, trash them. Be especially careful, as deleting system-forming files by mistake may lead to a system crash.

Step 4. Restore hijacked browsers

Finally, let’s bring your browser back to the default settings and remove any extensions that look out of place.

How to get rid of Search Marquis on Safari

1. Go to the Safari menu > Settings.
2. Choose the Extensions tab. Hunt for an extension associated with Search Marquis, select it, and click Uninstall.
3. Return to the General tab. Type the preferred website in the Homepage field.
4. Next, go to the Search tab and pick the search engine.

How to remove Search Marquis from Chrome

1. Navigate to chrome://extensions. Find a malware-related extension and click remove next to it.
2. Now, switch to chrome://settings.
3. Choose On start-up in the sidebar to set your preferred start page.
4. After that, go to the Search engine and pick the one you want to use.

How to get rid of Search Marquis in Mozilla Firefox

1. Head over to about:addons and select Extensions.
2. If you see an extension you don’t recognize, click the three-dot icon next to it and choose Remove.
3. Go to about:preferences. Reset the homepage and search engine you want to use.

Search Marquis is a browser hijacker that quickly takes control of your browsers. It redirects your homepage and default search engine to its own search page and displays intrusive ads. What’s worse, it might steal your data and share it with third parties.

Follow the steps above to get rid of the PUP and restore your browsers. If you’d rather do that automatically, turn to CleanMyMac X for help.

FAQ

Is Search Marquis a virus?

Technically, Search Marquis is not a virus because it does not self-replicate. However, it is a form of malware known as a browser hijacker. 

Is Search Marquis dangerous?

Even though Search Marquis may seem less malicious than other malware, it is a severe threat to your privacy, so it should be removed as soon as possible. 

Why does my search engine keep changing to searchmarquis?

Your search engine keeps changing to searchmarquis because your Mac is infected with a browser hijacker. If you’ve made an attempt to remove it, you may have missed some vital steps in the process.