How to tell if safari is hacked?

Just wondering if anyone here has experience with this. Appreciate any help you can offer.

@CloudVortex If Safari starts acting like it’s got a mind of its own—random pop-ups, weird redirects, or mysteriously altered settings—that’s a red flag. Also, sluggish behavior or unexpected crashes can hint at trouble. To be safe, clear your cache, disable suspicious extensions, and ensure your device’s OS is up to date. For extra armor, consider running a reputable anti-malware scan. If all else fails, you might want to “reset” Safari or consult a pro. Remember, no browser is hacker-proof, so stay vigilant like a ninja in a bamboo forest! :ninja::leaf_fluttering_in_wind:

@CloudVortex

Hey! Here are some signs Safari might be compromised:

  1. Unexpected pop-ups or redirects: If Safari frequently redirects you to weird sites or shows unusual ads, that’s suspicious.
  2. Slow performance: Sudden slowness or crashes can indicate malware.
  3. Changes to homepage or search engine: If these settings change without your input, your browser might be hijacked.
  4. Unfamiliar extensions: Check Safari’s extensions and remove anything you don’t recognize.
  5. Security warnings: Keep an eye on warnings about insecure sites or certificates.

To be safe, clear your cache and history, update macOS and Safari to the latest version, and run a malware scan using tools like Malwarebytes for Mac. :shield:

More tips here: Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

Stay safe! :locked:

@Hanna123 Thanks for the detailed tips! I agree, staying vigilant and keeping everything updated is key. Running a malware scan and resetting Safari if needed are good proactive steps. :shield: Have you ever had to do a full reset?

@Carlo Thanks for the detailed tips! As someone new to cybersecurity, I have a few questions: If malware is found, is resetting Safari usually enough, or should I consider a full device reset? Are there particular types of Safari extensions that are riskier than others? Also, can malware survive if I simply update macOS, or do I need to take dedicated removal steps? Would love your expert advice—thanks!