Search Marquis

Search Marquis Image

Search Marquis is a browser component that may disguise itself as a helpful tool that will enhance the browsing quality of popular browsers like Chrome and Safari. In fact, it is a shady browser extension that aims to alter the browser's setting without the user’s knowledge and consent. The main purpose of this Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) is to sneak stealthily into Mac computers and generate revenue for its operators. This happens through a number of intermediate redirects through various dubious domains before displaying Bing.com results.


This Week In Malware Episode 36 Part 2: Why Your Web Browser is Redirecting to Search Marquis & and How to Stop It!

Once installed on a Mac computer, this browser hijacking tool starts to modify options in the user's browser. It sets www.searchmarquis.com as the default new tab page and default search engine, forcing users to open this website each time they launch their browser. All search terms entered into that fake search engine cause a series of redirects until a final landing page with Bing search results is displayed. The intermediate redirects through unrelated and potentially malicious pages generate fake visits, and earn money for Search Marquis' developers. Research shows that Search Marquis is closely related to another infamous browser hijacker named Searchbaron. That is why users whose devices have been infected with Search Marquis often experience redirects through the Searchbaron page as well. Other related domains include searchnewworld.com, api.lisumanagerine.club, searchsnow.com, mybrowser-search.com, search.surfharvest.xyz.

Users who have installed Search Marquis also report bogus pop-ups and messages, some of which may even try to trick the user into believing that their machine has been damaged or is experiencing performance issues. These pop-ups can be symptoms of other PUPs often installed in bundles alongside Search Marquis. Ultimately, the intention is to make the victim download and install the paid version of some rogue anti-malware program or purchase useless products of questionable quality. Typical for Search Marquis is, for example, the fake alert "Your computer is low on memory." which shows up shortly after startup and asks the user to close several apps to free up RAM. The appearance of this warning can also indicate that the computer is infected with a bogus cleaning utility called Mac Cleanup Pro, which is one of the PUPs known to spread with Search Marquis.

Search Marquis May Lead to Installation of Other Unwanted Add-Ons and Apps

Search Marquis can also install additional programs, toolbars, add-ons, and extensions that allow the attackers to track the devices' online traffic and browsing history as well as to collect sensitive user data.

Tools like Search Marquis often get on computers as part of third-party application bundles for Mac. That is why you should always look for the official websites of any app you wish to download or go directly to the official App Store. Another distribution method is through banners and pop-ups on the Internet containing malicious links. Unprotected software downloading networks are also a well-known source of browser hijackers.

Just like on Windows PCs, when bad actors or sneaky developers attempt to peddle unwanted apps for Mac, they often do so through Flash Player update prompts. Search Marquis and other bundled apps can also be installed as additional software in Flash Player Updater. The Flash Player Install prompt, as shown in the image below, is a common method to get computer users to install potentially unwanted apps. It may be best to avoid freeware bundles as a whole. If, however, a user chooses to install a bundle, they should always check the "advanced" or "custom" installations for PUPs like Search Marquis. Again, the fact that Search Marquis affects Mac computers is more evidence of Macs not being immune to unwanted apps, browser hijackers, or borderline malware attacks and threats.

Example image of a (PUP's) potentially unwanted program's 'Flash Player' install prompt attempting to install additional applications apps

search marquis fake flash player pop-up

What some Mac users may notice in the Flash Player install prompt is that it attempts to get the user to install additional applications, such as SearchItNow and MacCleanup Pro, which we have identified as potentially unwanted programs. Such applications may promote abilities to fix Mac computer issues or clean up unwanted apps or components. In reality, they are questionable at best in performing such functions on a Mac system. The developers of these apps play this sneaky game so that when computer users install applications that come bundled with other potentially unwanted apps, the users may not pay attention and unknowingly install the PUPs.

Deception Is the Game of Search Marquis

Remember that no webpage can determine the health of your system. If you come across a site that makes the claims mentioned above, you should ignore its contents as it will likely try to trick you into installing dodgy software or subscribing to a fake technical support service.

Search Marquis may be difficult to remove in some cases as it drops many components in different locations. PUPs like this one also use various techniques to ensure their persistence and to prevent removal. One such technique is establishing a "Managed by your organization" status for the PUP, which would prevent attempts to uninstall the undesired browser extension. Furthermore, some added specific components to Google's database can result in Search Marquis coming back with all its malicious activity even after it has been removed.

It is advisable to use a powerful anti-malware suite to remove the Search Marquis application from your Mac. This PUP brings absolutely nothing of value to your browsing experience, just the opposite – it can only deteriorate your Mac computer's overall performance and put your privacy and identity at serious risk.

Search Marquis Screenshots

search marquis

URLs

Search Marquis may call the following URLs:

api.lisumanagerine.club
mybrowser-search.com
search.surfharvest.xyz
searchbaron.com
searchnewworld.com
searchsnow.com

30 Comments

Taylor Renee Odom Reply

I want this browser off my computer

I know!!! I've been trying to find out how to get it off!!!!

Exactly! I opened my laptop a few minutes ago and it popped up! I never downloaded it. I need this off.

have you had any luck ?

I thought I was the only one! I didn't know it was a virus though. I have never download it. It never popped up until last year, around June? I got my macbook which was around 2 years ago. Have you found out how to get rid of it?

why my macbook pro wheni always research it apperas search marquis .

I want this browser off my computer

van grootenbril Reply

Hello,
I want just to get rid from "SearchMarquis" which I did not want. However so far I did not succeed. Can you help me?

Frank

I want to remove search marquis please

I want search marquis GONE! I hate this virus and I got it from a fake adobe flash installer because I typed in a game incorrectly. I typed in "skribble.io" with an E and it didnt work. I thought my adobe mightve expired so I got it. Yet it was a virus. Please do NOT use personal things on search marquis.

PLEASE WE NEED THIS STUPID VIRUS GONE

I just got this Mac a month ago, and now 'SearchMarquis' pops up whenever I want to google something! I have google set to my default browser, and I'm confused on how it even got there in the first place! Does anyone have any fixes to remove this browser from my computer?

yeah the same happened with mine is so annoying but people are saying its a virus and im like bruh how did I get a virus on my laptop that I only have had for less then a week

I hate whenever I open a new page on safari and it opens to the search marquis page.

I am sick of going on my computer for school, going on a website and search marquis coming up. I want it off my computer.

How do i remove this!!!!

how do i remove this please i cant deal with the stupid search engine, ive tried using avast anti virus to look for the malware but no matter what i do i cant seem to get rid of it

ddid you ever get rid of it? I can't either

Graham Hesketh Reply

Search Marquis is a real pain. Google chrome was always getting attacked by safe finder and now this. Why can't google sort this out?

has anyone figured how to get rid of it yet ?

How do I fix this? I don't even know where I got it from. Now every time I open google chrome, I get search Marquis. Please help.

Hi!
this browser just randomly popped up! i never installed it and i need it to go! please help me

I need help removing this! Every time I open my laptop it shows up and I can't get to anything I need to for school! PLEASE HELP

How do I get this off of my computer?!! I’ve had search marquis on both safari and google chrome and I’ve spent money on apps to clean my Mac and prevent it from getting search marquis but I have it once again. Someone please get this off of my computer

How do you get "Search Marquis" and "ask.com" off of my Mac

Can someone please tell me how to get this search engine off my computer?!

I want this off my computer its driving me nuts

im getting really frustrated with the searchmarquis

I hate this search marquis its really annoying when I just need to quickly look up something that dumb thing shows up!!!!!!

Need help for macos x Reply

when i open a new tab this search marquis thing happens and when i search something it redirects me to either Bing or Yahoo. pls help

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