How to uninstall SmartSearch app/extension from Mac

What is SmartSearch

SmartSearch is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that falls under the category of Adware . Adware is type of programs designed to inject advertising into your Internet browsing or even desktop experience. Adware can be designed to modify your home page, search engine, search results, or even add toolbars to your web browser. Adware run in the background when browse the Internet, and adware software can slow down your machine and affect its performance.

The worst is, adware may monetize its functionality by collecting confidential info from your browsing sessions. This user information, subsequently, can be easily sold to third party companies. This puts your personal data at a security risk.

If you want to delete adware, you will not succeed, because it is very stubborn. Using the following guide, you surely can remove SmartSearch completely from your MAC.

How does SmartSearch get on your MAC system

Adware usually spreads as a part of free applications that downloaded from the Net. Which means that you need to be proactive and carefully read the Terms of use and the License agreement properly. For the most part, adware software and PUPs will be clearly described, so take the time to carefully read all the information about the software that you downloaded and want to install on your MAC.

Threat Summary

Name	SmartSearch, SmartSearch 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), pop ups, pop up ads, pop-up virus
Symptoms	advertising banners appear in places they shouldn’t be your web browser is redirected to web pages you did not want new entries appear in your Applications folder unwanted toolbars your browser homepage has modified and you are unable to modify it back speed test good but internet slow your Apple Mac became slower than normal
Removal	SmartSearch removal guide

How to remove SmartSearch

The answer is right here on this web-page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will help you easily to free your MAC of SmartSearch adware. Moreover, you can choose manual or automatic removal method. If you are familiar with the MAC system then use manual removal, otherwise use the free antimalware tool created specifically to remove adware. Of course, you can combine both methods. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to exit your web browser or reboot your MAC.

To remove SmartSearch, use the following steps:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Uninstall SmartSearch related programs through the Finder
3. Remove SmartSearch related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove SmartSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. Finish words

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

SmartSearch can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware.

Click Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac device. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile related to SmartSearch.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Uninstall SmartSearch related programs through the Finder

Check the list of installed software and remove all unknown or dubious applications. This is an important step, it so often happens that adware, PUPs and browser hijackers are built into free programs, so by removing these programs you can get rid of annoying advertisements and web-browser redirects.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Very carefully look around the entire list of applications installed on your MAC system. Most probably, one of them is the SmartSearch . Once you have found a dubious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it and choose “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Don’t forget, choose Finder -> “Empty Trash”.

Remove SmartSearch related files and folders

Now you need to try to find SmartSearch related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for SmartSearch generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: search.plist, macsearch.plist, installapp.plist, com.machelper.plist and SmartSearch.plist. Most often, adware, PUPs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for SmartSearch generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for SmartSearch generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for SmartSearch generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.machelper.plist, com.installapp.plist, com.macsearch.plist, com.search.plist and com.SmartSearch.plist. In most cases, browser hijackers, PUPs and adware software create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual SmartSearch removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware can be not fully removed. We suggest that use MalwareBytes to scan the Mac device. Moreover, this program will allow you to remove toolbars, browser hijackers, adware software and PUPs that your machine can be affected too.

1. MalwareBytes Free can be downloaded from the following link.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20988 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. When the download is complete, close all software and windows on your MAC system. Open a file location. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) tool will start scanning the whole machine to find out SmartSearch adware. This procedure may take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) utility is scanning, you may see count of objects it has identified as being infected by malicious software.
4. Once the system scan is done, it will open the Scan Results. Once you have selected what you want to remove from your MAC click “Quarantine”.

Remove SmartSearch from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Annoying SmartSearch adware software or other symptoms of adware in your browser is a good reason to locate and delete harmful extensions. This is an easy method to restore web-browsers settings and not lose any important information.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Chrome window. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to delete SmartSearch adware by reset Google Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing issues with SmartSearch adware removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

By installing an ad-blocking program such as AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious web pages, stop autoplaying video ads and get rid of lots of distracting and annoying ads on web-sites.

Visit the page linked below to download AdGuard.

After the downloading process is done, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guide. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guidance which will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you run your Apple Mac, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop intrusive popups, block malicious and misleading web-sites.

Finish words

Once you’ve finished the steps outlined above, your MAC system should be clean from SmartSearch and other malware. The Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari will no longer redirect you to various unwanted web-pages and online ads. Unfortunately, if the step-by-step guide does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.