How to Remove Search Marquis from Mac Safari

Apple users often think that their devices can’t get infected with a virus. Unfortunately, that’s not true because viruses do exist on macOS. One of them is the Marquis malware virus.

The Marquis malware attacks a user’s system through their web browser. It’s designed to exploit browser vulnerabilities in order to steal the user’s personal information or download more malware onto their computer. 

But, you shouldn’t be worried, because there are a few potential solutions to remove search Marquis from Safari. 

Hi! My name is Andreas, and as a heavy Mac Safari user, I’ve run into my fair share of malware viruses. It’s scary to get your device infected, but fortunately, there are a few ways to easily remove malware viruses.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to do that. Read on to learn more!

What Does the Marquis Malware Do on Your Mac?

When we think of computer malware, the first thought that comes to mind is a virus that hacks your personal data or steals log-in information. 

Search Marquis is a different type of malware. It is a browser hijacker designed to redirect website traffic to Bing.

Whenever you type something on your browser, the search query will go through several intermediary domains. These domains pay Search Marquis to do that.

In most cases, you will see a noticeable increase in advertisements when searching for something on your browser. However, since it’s difficult to spot the Search Marquis malware, the only way to notice it on your Mac is when you open your browser.

This is probably the most common symptom of Search Marquis infection on your Mac. But even if the malware isn’t destructive as other viruses, you should implement the following methods to remove it as quickly as possible.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Remove Search Marquis on Safari Mac

Step 1: Clear All Browsing History

Launch the Safari app.

Select History from the menu bar, and select Clear History.

Select the All History option from the small menu next to Clear and confirm by pressing the Clear History button.

Step 2: Remove Website Data That Can Track You

Launch Safari. Click on the Safari menu. Select Preferences.

Choose the Privacy tab. 

Click on the Manage Website Data.

A website listing with stored data will show up. Click on the Remove All button. 

Step 3: Change the Default Search Engine

Launch the Safari app. Open the Safari menu. Choose Preferences. 

Select the Search tab. 

In the Search Engine section, select Google.

Step 4: Check Activity Monitor for Suspicious Services

On your Mac Finder, open the Go menu.

Select the Utilities tab.

Double-click on the Activity Monitor.

Search for any suspicious process in the Activity Monitor List.

Select the Search, and click on the X symbol.

Click on the Force Quit button. 

Step 5: Remove Unknown Profiles

Open the Apple menu.

Select System Preferences.

Choose the Users & Groups tab.

Select the suspicious profiles that aren’t familiar to you.

Click on the minus symbol (-) to delete it. 

Step 6: Remove Suspicious Extensions

Launch the Safari app. Open the Safari menu. Select Preferences.

Open the Extensions tab.

Select the unwanted extension and click Uninstall.

Step 7: Delete Malicious Applications

Open Finder and visit your Applications folder. The shortcut to use is “Shift” + “Command” + “A” while in Finder. 

While in the Applications folder, look for any suspicious applications. Once you identify the potential Search Marquis app, drag the app to the Trash (or right-click and “Move To Trash”) and empty it. 

Step 8: Remove Malware Leftovers

Sometimes putting applications in the trash doesn’t delete them entirely. These applications could leave leftovers that still contain the Search Marquis malware. So we have to take it further and remove these malware leftovers.

Here is how to do that.

Click on “Go” and “Go to Folder.” 

In the search field, type in the following: 

~/Library/LaunchAgents

/Library/LaunchDaemons

/Library/Application Support

Check each folder for any Search Marquis-related files. An easier way to do that is to type “Search Marquis” or “Marquis” in the search bar. 

Move the files into the Trash and empty them. A word of caution before you put any files in the trash. Some of these files are vital for ensuring your system runs as intended. If you delete any critical files, there’s a likely chance your Mac will shut down or crash. So only delete files that contain “search marquis” in their name.

That’s it for this troubleshooting guide. The Marquis malware virus can be dangerous for your device but fortunately, there are some ways to quickly remove it so you can continue browsing safely.