SmartSignalSearch is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that belongs to the Adware family. Adware software is type of malware that can cause issues for your MAC system. SmartSignalSearch can generate numerous additional popup, banner, pop-under and in-text link ads flooding on your internet browser; collect your confidential information such as login details, online searches, etc; run in the background and drag down your computer running speed; give more chances for other adware, PUPs even malicious software to get on your MAC system.
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your personal data? SmartSignalSearch adware can analyze the location and which Internet web-pages you visit, and then present advertisements to the types of content, goods or services featured there. Adware creators can collect and sell your browsing information and behavior to third parties.
Threat Summary
| Name | SmartSignalSearch, Smart Signal Search 1.0 app |
| Type | adware software, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop-up virus, pop-up ads, pop ups |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | SmartSignalSearch removal guide |
How does SmartSignalSearch adware get on your MAC OS
Adware gets onto MAC by being attached to some free software. So always read carefully the install screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install process. Additionally pay attention for bundled programs that are being installed along with the main application. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, use an ad blocker program that will help to stop malicious and illegitimate web-sites.
Take a deep breath. Learn everything you should know about SmartSignalSearch adware removal, how to get rid of adware from your web browser and machine. Find the best free adware and malware removal tools here!
How to Remove SmartSignalSearch
To remove SmartSignalSearch from your MAC, you must delete all suspicious programs and every component that could be related to the adware. Besides, to fix your web browser search engine, start page and newtab page, you should reset the hijacked web-browsers. As soon as you’re finished with SmartSignalSearch removal process, we suggest you scan your MAC with malware removal utilities listed below. It will complete the removal process on your MAC.
To remove SmartSignalSearch, perform the steps below:
- How to delete SmartSignalSearch adware software without any software
- Automatic Removal of SmartSignalSearch adware
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to delete SmartSignalSearch adware software without any software
Looking for a method to delete SmartSignalSearch adware manually without downloading any utilities? Then this section of the blog post is just for you. Below are some simple steps you can take. Performing these steps requires basic knowledge of internet browser and Windows setup. If you are not sure that you can follow them, it is better to use free utilities listed below that can allow you remove SmartSignalSearch ads.
Delete suspicious applications using the Finder
Check out the Finder (Applications section) to see all installed apps. If you see any unknown and suspicious programs, they are the ones you need to remove.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
Carefully browse through the list of installed programs and delete all dubious and unknown apps.
Once you have found anything dubious that can be the SmartSignalSearch adware software or other potentially unwanted application (PUA), then right click this application and choose “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.
Delete SmartSignalSearch from Safari
The Safari reset is great if your browser is hijacked by SmartSignalSearch or you have unwanted add-ons or toolbars on your browser, that installed by an malware.
Click Safari menu and select “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious extensions on left panel, select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to delete all unknown extensions from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Remove SmartSignalSearch from Google Chrome
Reset Google Chrome will assist you to remove SmartSignalSearch ads from your web browser as well as to restore internet browser settings affected by adware. All undesired, malicious and ‘ad-supported’ addons will also be uninstalled from the web browser. Essential information like bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, auto-fill data and personal dictionaries will not be removed.
First open the Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots (
).
It will show the Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the plugin signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, click the option named “Settings”.
The web browser will show the settings screen. Another way to open the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, like below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Google Chrome will display the confirmation prompt like the one below.
You need to confirm your action, press the “Reset” button. The web-browser will start the procedure of cleaning. After it’s finished, the internet browser’s settings including newtab page, default search provider and startpage back to the values which have been when the Chrome was first installed on your computer.
Delete SmartSignalSearch adware from Mozilla Firefox
Resetting your Firefox is basic troubleshooting step for any issues with your web browser application, including the SmartSignalSearch ads. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
First, launch the Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It will show the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button (
).
In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button as shown in the figure below.
Confirm your action, press the “Refresh Firefox”.
Automatic Removal of SmartSignalSearch adware
If you are unsure how to get rid of SmartSignalSearch easily, consider using automatic adware removal programs that listed below. It will identify the SmartSignalSearch adware and remove it from your machine for free.
How to automatically remove SmartSignalSearch with MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM)
We advise using the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware that are completely clean your machine of the adware software. This free tool is an advanced malware removal application made by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular antimalware technology. It is able to help you get rid of the SmartSignalSearch ads from your internet browsers, PUPs, malicious software, browser hijacker infection, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your machine for free.
- Download MalwareBytes AntiMalware on your computer by clicking on the link below.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
20988 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
- Once the downloading process is finished, close all software and windows on your Apple Mac. Open a folder in which you saved it. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
- Click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) tool will start scanning the whole computer to find out SmartSignalSearch adware. This task can take some time, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes tool is checking, you may see count of objects it has identified as being affected by malware.
- Once the scan is complete, you will be displayed the list of all found items on your MAC. Review the results once the tool has finished the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply press “Remove Selected Items”.
How to stay safe online
It’s important to run adblocker programs such as AdGuard to protect your MAC system from harmful webpages. Most security experts says that it is okay to block ads. You should do so just to stay safe! And, of course, the AdGuard may to stop malicious and other unwanted webpages.
- Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard on your MAC OS from the link below.
AdGuard for Mac download
3772 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- After downloading is complete, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the installation is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your machine, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block harmful or misleading web sites.
Finish words
Once you have complete the step-by-step guide shown above, your machine should be clean from this adware and other malware. The Safari, Firefox and Google Chrome will no longer display the SmartSignalSearch ads when you surf the Internet. Unfortunately, if the guide does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the SmartSignalSearch adware software.
