Thanks to the increasing market share of Macs and MacBooks, the Apple ecosystem has never been a higher-value target for malware attacks. Unfortunately, the danger extends beyond macOS and iOS, reaching Apple’s default web browser, where a Safari virus has the potential to cause no end of problems.
Despite the fact that Safari is widely accepted as the most secure browser, the fact remains that, like any other browser, Safari can still be infected by a virus. So, what is a Safari virus, and how do you remove it if you have one? We have the answers for you.
What is a Safari virus?
A Safari virus is one that affects the Safari internet browser on macOS and iOS. This can be anything from a browser hijacker to adware, spyware, and remote access trojans.
A browser hijacker can change your homepage, your default search engine, and your security settings. It can also infect your system with ads, and your web visits will be regularly redirected to malicious destinations.
How can Safari be infected by a virus?
Here are some of the ways that Safari can be susceptible to malware:
- Malicious websites and links: Some of the biggest sources of malware are malicious websites and malware-infected weblinks. This puts Safari front and center when coming into contact with viruses.
- Unpatched browser vulnerabilities: The top browsers get regular security patches, but until unpatched vulnerabilities are discovered, zero-day threats can be exploited.
- Old macOS operating systems: If you are running an old version of macOS, you’ll also be running an old version of Safari (the browser and the operating system are linked).
- Malicious extensions: A browser’s usefulness is enhanced by its extensions. But extensions can also be a browser’s Achilles’ heel if any of them are packing destructive code.
- Ignoring Safari’s security notifications: Safari warns you if a site you’re visiting is potentially problematic and/or doesn’t have an HTTPS security certificate. Ignoring these notifications will eventually lead to unwelcome visitors.
- Downloading from sketchy sources: Downloading everything you can get your hands on, especially from illegitimate sources, is a risky practice. If the download source is an infected site, you’ll have problems.
How to remove a Safari virus from your device
If you end up with a Safari virus on your devices, what’s the best, most efficient, and fastest way to remove it?
How to remove a Safari virus from your Mac with CleanMyMac
The best and easiest way to remove a Safari virus on your Mac is by using CleanMyMac powered by Moonlock Engine. This powerful antivirus program will find all malware that may be rampaging through your Mac and destroy them for you one by one.
- Open CleanMyMac and select the Protection module on the left. If you’re using the software for the first time, we highly recommend selecting Configure Scan first and choosing every option, including Deep Scan.
- Click Scan, and CleanMyMac will start methodically searching your Mac, looking for all traces of the Safari virus, as well as any other threats on your MacBook. This can take a little while, but it is well worth the wait.
- When threats have been found, CleanMyMac will present them to you in a comprehensive list. Select everything and click Remove. You’ve now (hopefully) removed all traces of the Safari virus.
By selecting Enable Malware Monitor and the option to look for threats in the background, you can also be told instantly if a Safari virus infects your device.
How do you manually get rid of a Safari virus on Mac?
CleanMyMac is such a powerful solution that we immediately recommend using it instead of trying to remove malware from your Mac or Safari manually. It’s difficult to know if you get everything, whereas nothing escapes the attention of CleanMyMac.
If, however, you insist on doing it manually, here’s a list of the areas you need to look at:
- Check your homepage and default search engine settings.
- Go to Safari settings and see if there are any malicious extensions.
- In the settings, remove the browser history, cache, and cookies.
- The Autofill settings provide access to your contacts book. See if anything has been altered, and be sure to let your contacts know.
- Look for malicious user profiles that may have been set up without your knowledge.
- If the virus persists, you may need to consider wiping your Macbook to factory settings.
Can your Mac remove a Safari virus on its own?
Even though Macs have a virus checker called XProtect, there are times when it may not be enough to catch all malware, including a Safari virus.
You need to remember that malware and viruses are developing and evolving all the time. XProtect is good, but it isn’t always up to date with the latest threats. Only a regularly updated antivirus platform like CleanMyMac can truly erase all threats.
How to get rid of a Safari virus on an iPhone
Removing a Safari virus on your iPhone is slightly different, but it’s still very straightforward.
- The first step is to clear all Safari settings.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Safari, and select Clear History and Website Data. In the box that then pops up, select All History and tap Clear History.
- Check for iOS updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update. If there’s anything waiting, install the update.
- If you still suspect a virus is present, you need to start considering a backup or a reset. Let’s start with the easiest option. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings. Go through the process and install a backup.
- The last-ditch option is to wipe and reset the iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone again. This time, select Reset. On the next screen, tap Reset All Settings and follow the on-screen prompts. This will wipe everything, so be sure to have a backup ready.
The signs of a Safari malware infection
Before you can remove a Safari malware infection, you first need to be able to recognize it. Here are some of the similarities between a MacBook infection and an iPhone infection:
- Your device slows down and eventually crashes.
- Your device may have extensions and apps installed that you didn’t install yourself.
- Your Wi-Fi connection may frequently go out.
- Your battery starts to overheat.
- Your data plan is suddenly used up.
- Multiple ads start appearing in your Safari browser.
Does Safari offer protection against malware?
Safari doesn’t have a built-in antivirus solution, but it does have various other features that can help deter a Safari virus (some are under the Security tab in Safari settings).
Here are some of Safari’s malware protection features:
- You’ll be warned about dangerous websites that are either fraudulent or malicious.
- Safari has a pop-up blocker that will hopefully stop some, if not most, Safari virus pop-up windows.
- Third-party cookies can be blocked from your device. You can also block all cookies, although this could break some sites.
- Cross-site tracking is limited by restricting cookies and other website data.
How to prevent Safari virus infections
All of this can be easily circumvented by simply knowing how to prevent a Safari virus infection in the first place. There are some common things you can do that will drastically reduce your chances of it happening to you.
Never download anything outside the App Store
Going outside of the Apple App Store for apps and software heightens the chances of malware reaching your Apple device. For secure, safe apps, your best bet is the App Store.
Sure, some third-party developers make shiny, cool apps that promise to make your Mac even better. But how do you know they haven’t included any nasty extras?
Always use a VPN
A hacker can’t get into your network traffic if it’s being redirected through a secure, encrypted VPN leading to a server in another geographic location. That’s why using a VPN like ClearVPN is essential.
Choose the country to connect to (how about a beach in the Bahamas?) and stop cyber criminals from monitoring your online activity.
Make sure your network is properly configured
If you don’t put a password on your Wi-Fi network and make sure all other settings are properly configured, you’re asking for trouble. Always add a password, and if anybody you don’t know or trust asks for your login details, don’t give them!
Enable built-in security tools on your MacBook
Your Mac has some built-in security tools, but key features like FileVault and Firewall are disabled by default until you switch them on. Gatekeeper, which protects against malicious apps, can also be switched off, although this isn’t recommended.
Always enable these tools and keep them on. Just go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and select your preferences.
Be extremely cautious with email or SMS links
Malicious email or SMS links are the easiest “low effort, high reward” method for hackers to get a Safari virus onto your device. Once a user unwittingly clicks that link, the virus is off to the races.
Only click links if they come from trusted sources (family members, friends, and colleagues). Even then, you may want to exercise caution and go to the website directly and log in.
Another option is to right-click the link, copy it, and run it through VirusTotal. The service will tell you if the destination is safe or not.
Immediately install all macOS and app updates
You must always install any system updates or app updates. These sometimes represent improved system stability or new features, but they also patch security vulnerabilities based on new threat information. Look for new macOS updates by going to System Settings > General > Software Update.
Browser viruses are just one of many forms of malware making the rounds on the internet today. But they can all be easily combated by following some common-sense rules, using CleanMyMac powered by Moonlock Engine to frequently run malware checks, and frequently reading Moonlock articles for advice.
This is an independent publication, and it has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Safari, macOS, and iOS are trademarks of Apple Inc.
