Search Encrypt is a rogue service that claims to add a layer of privacy to a Mac user’s web search activities but ends up hijacking their default browser and snooping on sensitive web surfing information. It is manifested as an extension supporting Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. This entity redirects all searches to ad-supported landing page at searchencrypt.com without asking for permission. Whereas automatic encryption of search terms is an enticing feature overall, the dubious app under scrutiny provides it at the expense of the victim’s proper Internet experience. It overrides the browsing preferences to promote its own service crammed up with sponsored links. Furthermore, most of the affected Mac users don’t even know what functionality Search Encrypt purports to accommodate, because the unwanted application is installed behind the scenes. It usually accompanies other software, arriving via the same installers that furtively push a bundle of programs rather than one. Figuratively speaking, this PUA (potentially unwanted application) is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and should be avoided.