MyCouponsmart Adware (Mac)

What is MyCouponsmart?

MyCouponsmart is a deceptive application that supposedly saves time and money by providing coupons and notifications of special deals/discounts available on various online shops. This functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, MyCouponsmart is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and adware.

There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without users' consent; 2) tracking of browsing activity, and; 3) display of intrusive advertisements.

After successful system infiltration, MyCouponsmart delivers coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar advertisements. To achieve this, developers use tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, the ads often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, intrusive advertisements might redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts that download and install other potentially unwanted applications (or even malware). Thus, even a single accidental click can result in high-risk computer infections. Potentially unwanted applications are also notorious for information tracking.

Adware usually gathers data such as website URLs visited, pages viewed, queries entered into search engines, Internet Protocol addresses, etc. The data often includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

These people generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, having a data-tracking app such as MyCouponsmart installed on your computer might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall this unwanted application immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by MyCouponsmart
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names (Adobe Flash Player.dmg - fake installer promoting MyCouponsmart)	Avast (MacOS:Bundlore-T [PUP]), AVG (MacOS:Bundlore-T [PUP]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.OSX.BundloreCA.1), Kaspersky (not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Bnodlero.f), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

MyCouponsmart is virtually identical to dozens of other adware-type applications, such as MyShopcoupon, CompariShop, LiveShoppers, and ShoppyTool (the list goes on). These applications offer identical functionality that will save time and money, but such claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy and trick users to install.

MyCouponsmart and these other apps give no real value for regular users. Their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers - they deploy intrusive advertisements and record personal data, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience and posing a direct threat to your privacy and web browsing safety.

How did MyCouponsmart install on my computer?

This adware has an official download website, however, many users install this application inadvertently, since developers proliferate MyCouponsmart using "bundling" and intrusive advertising methods. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications and browser plug-ins.

Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" options (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users are likely to rush these procedures, skip steps, and click various advertisements without understanding the possible consequences. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of unwanted applications.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. Caution is the key to safety. Therefore, pay attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings.

Opt-out of additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. We recommend that you avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since most are monetized using the "bundling" method (promoting PUAs). Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.

Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, but most redirect to dubious websites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.

If you encounter any of these ads/redirects, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with MyCouponsmart, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Fake Adobe Flash Player installer promoting MyCouponsmart adware:

MyCouponsmart asking for access to control Safari web browser:

Text presented within this pop-up:

"MyCouponsmart" want access to control "Safari". Allowing control will provide access to documents and data in "Safari", and perform actions within that app.

Screenshot of MyCouponsmart extension in Safari web browser:

Examples of advertisements (opened in new browsing tabs) delivered by MyCouponsmart adware (ads promote MacKeeper and Advanced Mac Tuneup unwanted applications):

Update December 6, 2019 - Crooks have recently released an updated version of MyCouponsmart which is designed to block access to a variety of websites (especially those related to cyber security). PCRisk.com is also in that list. Instead of allowing users to access these sites, MyCouponsmart simply redirects them to yahoo.com:

 Screenshot of MyCouponsmart adware's extension in Google Chrome web browser (if the extension also shows the "Your browser is managed by your organisation" message, then follow this article to eliminate it):

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is MyCouponsmart?
• STEP 1. Remove MyCouponsmart related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove MyCouponsmart ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove MyCouponsmart adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove MyCouponsmart ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove MyCouponsmart adware using Combo Cleaner:

MyCouponsmart adware removal:

Remove MyCouponsmart-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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