Search Marquis – How to Remove This Browser Hijacker (Mac Guide 2025)
- Browser Hijacker Removal
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What is Search Marquis?
Search Marquis is a persistent macOS browser hijacker that redirects your browser traffic through several unwanted domains—usually searchmarquis.com → searchbaron.com → Bing.
It changes your default search engine, installs configuration profiles, and forces unwanted ads and redirects.
This threat is part of a well-known adware ecosystem that targets macOS versions including Ventura, Sonoma, and early 2025 releases.
Why Search Marquis is Dangerous!
Although it looks like a simple search engine, Search Marchise is categorized as a browser hijacker and PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program).
Search Marquis is more than an annoying redirect. It can:
- Track your searches and visited websites
- Inject ads into Google results
- Modify your browser settings and lock them
- Install malicious configuration profiles that reapply the hijack
- Redirect you through advertising networks
- Degrade Mac performance and stability
Although it’s often bundled with seemingly harmless apps, the hijacker creates a persistent loop that makes manual removal frustrating if you miss a single component.
How Search Marquis Infects macOS
Search Marquis spreads mainly through:
- Fake Flash Player installers (common AdLoad vector)
- Torrent sites and cracked software installers
- Bundled installers on file-sharing websites
- Malicious advertising networks (malvertising)
- Fake system optimization tools
Important:
Search Marquis is a macOS-only threat.
No verified Windows or Linux variants exist.
Quick Fix (Recommended)
Run a trusted anti-malware tool that scans for browser hijackers and removes malicious profiles, LaunchAgents, and rogue extensions including Search Marquis.
Quick Steps:
- Download Malwarebytes for Mac (Free).
- Run a full system scan.
- Remove all detected PUPs and browser hijackers.
- Restart your Mac.
- Official Safe Installer
Remove Search Marquis manually
Follow these steps in order to completely remove Search Marquis from your macOS.
Step
Remove Malicious Configuration Profiles
Search Marquis almost always installs a rogue config profile that forces the redirect.
- Open
- Go to
- Scroll down to (only appears if something is installed)
- Look for suspicious profiles such as:
- AdminPrefs (known real Search Marquis profile)
- Anything locking homepage/search settings
- Select → Remove Profile
If you see AdminPrefs, you found the primary persistence mechanism.
- If the Profiles menu does NOT exist, macOS simply has no profiles installed.
Step
Remove Suspicious Applications
- Go to:
- Finder → Applications
- Look for unknown apps installed around the time redirects started. Common carriers include:
- “Search Marquis”
- Unknown “Manager” or “Data” apps
- Fake cleaners or boosters
- 3. Move them to Trash → Empty Trash.
Step
Check LaunchAgents & LaunchDaemons
Search Marquis components often use generic random names but belong to the broader macOS AdLoad family.
However, NO confirmed unique plist names exist specifically for Search Marquis.
You may safely check:
- User LaunchAgents
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
- System LaunchAgents
- /Library/LaunchAgents/
- System LaunchDaemons
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/
- Remove only if clearly malicious or tied to a suspicious app. If unsure, don’t delete, search the name on Google first.
Step
Remove Browser Extensions
Safari
- Menu → Settings
- Go to Extensions
- Remove unknown extensions
- Reset Homepage & Search
- Search Marquis does not install a legitimate Safari App Extension signed by Apple, so any extension here is user-installed and removable.
Chrome
- Chrome Menu → Settings → Extensions
- Remove unknown items
- Reset search engine:
- Settings → Search Engine
- Ensure Google is selected
- Reset startup pages
Firefox
- Menu → Add-ons and Themes → Extensions
- Remove unknown items
- Reset search preferences
Step
Reset Browsers
To fully clear redirect rules, reset browser data.
Safari
- Menu → Settings → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove All
Chrome
- Settings → Reset Settings → Restore Settings to Default
Firefox
- Menu → Help → More Troubleshooting Info → Refresh Firefox
Step
Restart your Mac
This ensures all malicious processes are fully closed and removed.
- Just restart normally from the Apple menu.
Prevention Tips
Follow these steps to avoid browser hijackers in the future and keep your Mac secure:
- Only download software from trusted sources.
- Avoid fake macOS updates.
- Always choose Custom Installation and deselect bundled software.
- Keep macOS updated.
- Remove unknown extensions immediately.
- Use a reliable anti-malware tool.
Premium Solutions Perfect for Removing Search Marquis
These antivirus tools have been independently tested for their ability to detect, block, and remove all types of Adware, Hijacker, PUP from the Malware family, including Search Marquis, offering complete system protection and long-term security.
McAfee Total Protection
Best for:
Users who want a full security suite with firewall + identity protection.
Strong Features:
- Real-time protection with cloud AI
- Excellent web protection against malicious redirects
- Strong firewall + identity monitoring
- VPN included
- Good system performance, lightweight
Independent Test Result:
- AV-Test 2025: 100% detection rate for macOS malware
- AV-Comparatives: Rated “Advanced+” for protection & performance
- Browser Hijacker Removal: Removed all redirect components (including LaunchAgents)
Why Choose McAfee?
McAfee has a very strong real-time engine and blocks most hijackers before they can modify your browser settings. It’s reliable, stable, and ideal for users who want continuous protection rather than occasional on-demand scans.
TotalAV Antivirus Pro
Best for:
Users who want a fast, lightweight, and beginner-friendly antivirus.
Strong Features:
- Very fast and lightweight scanning engine
- Excellent removal of adware, PUPs, and browser hijackers
- Web Shield for phishing and malicious redirect protection
- Built-in system cleanup and optimization tools
- Simple, intuitive interface for non-technical users
Independent Test Result:
- AV-Test 2025: 99.8% protection score
- VB100 Certification: Passed
- Hijacker Removal: Strong results for eliminating browser extensions, malicious profiles, and redirect scripts
Why Choose TotalAV?
TotalAV is ideal for users who want a clean, fast solution that quickly removes Search Marquis components without slowing down the system. It’s one of the easiest tools to use and very effective against browser-based threats.
Norton 360
Best for:
Users who want maximum security and the most accurate cleanup results.
Strong Features:
- Industry-leading malware detection engine
- Smart Firewall and Safe Web protection
- Excellent defense against ransomware and zero-day threats
- Secure VPN, password manager, and dark web monitoringSecure VPN, password manager, and dark web monitoringTrusted all-in-one security suite for macOS and Windows
- Trusted all-in-one security suite for macOS and Windows
Independent Test Result:
- AV-Test 2025: Perfect 6/6 scores in protection, performance, and usability
- AV-Comparatives: Highest rating in Real-World Protection Tests
- Hijacker Removal: #1 ranking for complete removal of stubborn redirect malware
Why Choose Norton 360?
Norton delivers the most reliable cleanup for Search Marquis, consistently removing every component—including hidden LaunchAgents and configuration profiles. It’s the strongest choice for users who want complete system protection and long-term security.
Conclusion
Search Marquis is one of the most stubborn macOS browser hijackers, relying on configuration profiles and search redirect chains.
With the steps above—and especially removing the AdminPrefs profile—you can restore your browser settings and prevent further redirects.
If you want a fast solution, use a reputable macOS anti-malware tool that detects the AdLoad family, which Search Marquis belongs to.
Modern tools remove:
- Configuration profiles
- Browser extensions
- LaunchDaemons / LaunchAgents
- Application Support leftovers
- Redirect settings
- Official Safe Installer
