Safari Virus

Is Safari secure? Most of the time, yes—but like any other browser, viruses are a genuine threat you should stay aware of. According to Statista, 5.5 billion malware attacks took place in 2022. The problem is that viruses in Safari can result in a worse browsing performance at best; at worst, they can lead to dangers like identity theft.  

You can catch viruses in Safari on your iPhone and iPad, not just your Mac. As a result, you must regularly practice due diligence if you want to stay safe. If your device is already infected, however, don’t panic—I’ll help you fix the problem with several malware Safari removal tips.

Before we start 

 

Several types of malware can infect your Safari browser, and adware is a common method of attack for criminals. MacKeeper’s StopAd tool can help keep you safe from adware, and it can also ensure that you don’t need to deal with annoying advertisements or website trackers.  

 

To use MacKeeper’s StopAd tool, follow these steps:  

1. Download MacKeeper
2. Go to Privacy > StopAd
3. Click on the Open > Enable  
4. Go to Open Safari Preferences and ensure that all MacKeeper boxes are selected.  
5. Return to the MacKeeper app and the StopAd section
6. Hit Turn on next to Safari.  

What is a Safari virus?

A Safari virus is any virus that infects your Safari browser. It can be one of several malware kinds, such as Trojans and adware.  

Spyware is another common type of virus that you can find in Safari. Once criminals have obtained your information, they can commit fraud and numerous other crimes.  

Common symptoms of viruses in Safari on your Mac include:  

• Safari is not responding
• You see an abnormal number of ads in your Safari browser  
• Safari is consuming significant energy on your device  
• Web pages don’t load properly
• You’re encountering Safari frozen problems.

If you’ve got a virus in Safari on your iPhone or iPad, you might similarly experience the difficulties listed above. Other annoyances you may encounter include:  

• You’re dealing with the Safari so slow discrepancy
• You can’t use your device for anything else (e.g. switching between apps)  
• Your battery is draining quicker than usual when using Safari  
• Your iPhone or iPad is overheating when you use Safari.

Why are Safari viruses increasingly common?

Safari viruses are becoming more prevalent for several reasons. Users download a lot of third-party apps without doing prior due diligence, especially on Macs. If they haven’t verified the source, they could leave themselves open to several dangers—including malware.

Does Safari protect against viruses? Yes, but it’s also important to remember that malware is becoming more and more advanced. The best antivirus programs can find several viruses that already exist, but newer threats might go undetected. Similarly, Apple’s systems can also sometimes fail.  

Increasing internet penetration can also contribute to an increase in viruses. Unfortunately, not all Wi-Fi connections are as secure as each other. If one person’s device becomes infected, the virus can spread across servers and throughout companies. Respectively, IBM’s 2022 Cost of a Data Breach report revealed that 45% of infections are transmitted via a cloud, highlighting the risk.  

Potential dangers of Safari virus

Some of the possible dangers of getting a virus in Safari include:  

• Financial loss: If criminals obtain your payment details, they may start spending money from your bank account. It can sometimes be hard to prove to your bank that someone else made purchases using your payment details.
• Infections spreading: When Safari becomes infected, you run the risk of viruses spreading to other parts of your iPhone, Mac, or iPad. Moreover, you could put loved ones in danger if they later spread through instant messaging apps.  
• Your details being exposed: Viruses can expose your accounts’ login information, which could result in others accessing your account without your permission. At worst, details, like your home address, could fall into the wrong hands and put you in possible physical danger.  

How did the Safari virus get on Apple devices?

Before we look at Safari malware removal, I must highlight some of the possible reasons why your device got infected in the first place. Doing this will help prevent the same thing happening again.  

Possible virus sources for Safari on Mac are:  

• Unreputable third-party software: Downloading software from sites you don’t trust can result in malware appearing within your browser.  
• Suspicious email links: If you click on phishing links and potential spam, it’s possible that your browser will become infected with viruses.  
• Spam links in comments: Comments on social media, blogs, and online forums can sometimes include suspicious links. You must be careful when using these platforms.  

Potential places that you can get viruses in Safari on iOS and iPad include:  

• Downloading apps away from the App Store: Third-party apps not on the App Store can include malware or lax security. Always try to download from the iOS App Store if possible.  
• Visiting insecure websites: Websites without a SSL certificate can often lack the desired levels of security to keep you safe. Try to avoid them as much as you can.
• Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPad: I strongly advise against jailbreaking your device as you may find that you’ve got lower security levels than you previously did. The extra customization isn’t worth jeopardizing your data.  

How to remove the Safari virus on Mac?

Okay, so you’re now aware of why viruses might impact Safari on your Apple gadgets. Now, let’s look at how to remove them.

• Remove malicious profiles
• Remove malicious apps manually from your Mac
• Delete unrecognized extensions
• Check homepage and search engine settings
• Get rid of every trace of malware
• Reset browsers back to default settings

Keep reading to learn how to remove Safari infections on your Mac.

Remove malicious profiles

Removing malicious profiles will help get rid of Safari virus problems by blocking offending profiles from accessing your device. Here’s how to do it on your Mac:

1. Go to Apple logo > System Settings  
2. Click on Privacy & Security
3. Go to Others > Profiles  
4. Select the profiles you want to remove and hit the - icon.  

Remove malicious apps from Mac manually

Deleting malicious apps from your Mac manually can remove the virus altogether. And if the virus is still on your device, deleting the app will at least let you deal with the current problem and not have to worry about future infections. Follow the simple steps below:

1. Open Finder and go to Applications
2. Drag the app you want to delete into your Trash  
3. Open your Trash folder and hit Empty.  

Delete unrecognized extensions

Deleting unrecognized extensions can stop viruses from continuously infecting Safari in the future.  

1. Open Safari  
2. Go to Safari > Settings
3. Click on the Extensions tab
4. Look for the extension you want to delete and hit Uninstall
5. Sometimes, you may need to uninstall the app. You’ll see a pop-up window if that’s necessary; select Show in Finder and continue
6. Drag and drop your app to the Trash, before opening that app and hitting Empty.

Check homepage and search engine settings

Checking your homepage and search engine settings can help ensure you use the right website and search engine by default.  

1. Go to Safari > Settings > General
2. Enter your desired starting website in Homepage
3. Go to the Search tab and expand the dropdown menu next to Search engine
4. Pick your preferred search engine from the list.  

Get rid of every trace of malware

Removing every trace of malware can stop any lingering dangers of your device becoming infected again. MacKeeper’s Antivirus tool is one way you can get rid of potential threats.  

1. Open MacKeeper and go to Security > Antivirus
2. Select Custom Scan
3. Drag and drop the files you need to scan
4. Select Start Scan at the bottom  
5. If your device finds traces of viruses on your device, select Move to Quarantine  
6. Go to Restart > Quarantine > Delete.

Reset browsers back to default settings

Resetting browsers to default can help clear caches and other spaces where viruses might linger. Below are the steps to make it work for your Mac:

1. Go to Safari > Settings
2. Select Privacy > Manage Website Data
3. Hit Remove All at the bottom of your page.  

How to protect Mac from Safari Virus?

While knowing how to remove viruses on your Mac is nice, prevention is always the best cure.  

• Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date
• Update software and macOS  
• Be careful when installing programs and apps
• Install an ad blocker
• Backup data
• Choose strong passwords
• Don't use pirated software.

Read on to learn more about how you can protect your Mac from catching viruses in Safari.  

Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date

Antivirus software helps keep viruses away by searching for malware in the background. You can easily quarantine and remove potential attacks without undue delay, limiting the damage caused.  

Up-to-date software and macOS  

Keeping your app and computer software updated means that you’ll block possible dangers that Apple or your app developer may have noticed. You can set your device to automatically install updates.  

Be careful when installing programs and apps

Practicing due diligence can help you avoid hidden malware in tools you use. You should, as a rule of thumb, only download software from websites you trust.  

Install an ad blocker

Ad-blocking tools can help stop adware from infecting Safari. Another nice benefit is that you’ll remove annoying ads from your screen.  

Backup data

Backing your data up on iCloud or your external hard drive can help you quickly restore everything if a breach occurs.  

Choose strong passwords

Weak passwords are one of the most common reasons that cyberattacks occur. You can create strong passwords whenever you sign up for a new account via Safari on your Mac.  

Don't use pirated software

Not using pirated software will ensure that you have the most up-to-date version of whatever you’re using. Pirated software is also illegal, so it’s not worth the risk.  

How to get rid of the Safari virus on iPhone or iPad?

iPhones are known for being excellent at fending off malware, but you can find viruses in Safari if you aren’t careful.  

• Delete apps that look suspicious
• Clear history and website data
• Restart iPhone or iPad
• Restore the device from a previous backup version
• Factory reset
• Update iOS

Here’s how you can remove malicious software from your iPhone or iPad.

Delete apps that look suspicious

Deleting suspicious-looking apps will stop them from infecting Safari on your iPhone further. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press and hold on the suspicious-looking app  
2. Select Remove App  
3. Tap Delete App when prompted by the pop-up window.  

Clear history and website data

Removing history and website data can help remove remnants of malware on your iPhone or iPad.  

1. Go to Settings > Safari
2. Select Clear History and Website Data
3. When the pop-up window appears, hit Clear History and Data.  

Restart iPhone or iPad

Restarting your iPhone or iPad can help remove potential glitches that viruses could have caused.  

How you restart your iPhone or iPad depends on the model you have. For iPhones and iPads with a home screen, hold the home and standby buttons until your device turns off and on again.  

If your device doesn’t have a home button, quickly tap the volume up and down buttons. Then, hold onto the one that you use to switch your device on and off.  

Factory reset

Factory resetting your iPhone or iPad can return everything to the default, thus removing viruses that were previously present.  

1. Go to Settings > General
2. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad  
3. Click on Erase All Content and Settings.  

Restore the device from a previous backup version

1. Restoring your iPhone or iPad from a previous backup version can remove any possible viruses that have sneaked onto your gadget since then.  
2. Factory reset your iPhone or iPad following the steps in the previous section
3. Turn your smartphone or tablet on again  
4. Sign in with your Apple ID when your device switches itself on again. Then, choose how which method you want to restore your backed up iPhone or iPad
5. Log into your Apple ID again  
6. Wait for Apple to complete the restoration of your device.  

Update iOS

Updating iOS can help block any patches that previously might have been exploited by cybercriminals. Follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update  
2. If you have a download to install, click on Download and Install  
3. Enter your passcode  
4. Choose whether you want your iPhone or iPad to use cellular data if your Wi-Fi disconnects  
5. Wait for Apple to install the update.  

How to secure an iPhone or iPad from Safari malware?

Like when removing malware from your Mac, keeping viruses off your iPhone and iPad is much better than having to later fix the problem.

• Download apps from trusted services
• Keep apps updated
• Keep iOS updated

Follow along for my top tips on securing your iPhone or iPad from threats in Safari.

Download apps from trusted services

Only downloading apps from trusted sources will ensure that dangerous malware doesn’t lurk on your iPhone or iPad. I recommend only downloading from the App Store.  

Keep apps updated

Keeping your apps updated will help protect against data breaches and other potential threats. You can automatically download updates from the App Store.  

Keep iOS updated

Keeping your iOS software up-to-date will ensure that you keep malware that Apple knows about off your device. Like apps that you’ve downloaded from the App Store, you can set up your software to update automatically.

Remove Safari virus on all of your Apple devices

While Safari often is quite safe, viruses can infect your Apple devices if you aren’t careful. Malware can come from several sources, and many cyberattacks are preventable once you become aware of potential issues.  

Keeping Safari secure requires constant attention, and you can prevent adware and other possible viruses by using MacKeeper’s StopAd tool.