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How to uninstall SmartQuestSearch adware

Also Known As: Ads by SmartQuestSearch
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is SmartQuestSearch?

SmartQuestSearch is classified as a browser hijacker and an adware-type app. It is designed to promote a fake search engine by modifying browser settings and displaying advertisements. Users often download and install these apps unintentionally and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Note that SmartQuestSearch is distributed through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer.

SmartQuestSearch adware

When installed, adware-type applications such as SmartQuestSearch display coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and other advertisements. Generally, these open untrusted websites and, in some cases, execute scripts designed to download and install potentially unwanted or even malicious software.

SmartQuestSearch also changes browser settings (such as the address of the homepage, new tab and default search engine) to the address of a fake search engine. Usually people cannot undo or change the settings unless they uninstall the app that modified them.

Furthermore, these PUAs often track information. They collect browsing data (e.g., addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations), however, they might also be designed to gather sensitive information. The data could be misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways.

Therefore, users might become victims of identity theft, experience issues relating to online privacy, browsing safety, and/or other problems. It this, or other similar apps, are installed on the browser or operating system, remove them immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by SmartQuestSearch
Threat Type Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Dload.1), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information This application belongs to the Adload malware family.
Symptoms Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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.

More examples of apps similar to SmartQuestSearch are SearchTopic, Kreberisec and CreativeSearch. Note that deceptive installers such as the aforementioned Adobe Flash Player installer can be used to distribute malicious software. For example, ransomware, Trojan-type programs, and other malware. Therefore, never use these rogue installers.

How did SmartQuestSearch install on my computer?

As mentioned above, SmartQuestSearch is distributed through a deceptive installer, however, apps of this type are often installed together with other software, when they are included into the download and/or installation set-ups as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is known as "bundling".

In most cases, offers to download/install potentially unwanted apps are mentioned in "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings of set-ups.

Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby inadvertently granting PUAs permission to be downloaded and installed. Additionally, PUAs are often downloaded and installed through deceptive ads (when they are clicked) that run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download all programs and files only from official websites and via direct links. Other channels and tools such as third party downloaders/installers, torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial websites, etc., are often used to promote unwanted apps.

Check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings of the download and installation setup before completing the process, and decline offers to download or install additionally-included apps. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious pages, since they can open untrusted websites or cause download/installation of unwanted applications.

Remove any unknown, unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons already installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with SmartQuestSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to SmartQuestSearch adware that need to be removed:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartQuestSearch/SmartQuestSearch
  • ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartQuestSearchDaemon/SmartQuestSearch
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SmartQuestSearch.plist
  • ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SmartQuestSearchDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote SmartQuestSearch adware are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:

1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles".

Remove rogue profiles designed to promote SmartQuestSearch (Step 1)

2) Select the "SmartQuestSearch" profile and delete it.

Remove rogue profiles designed to promote SmartQuestSearch (Step 2)

3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.

After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this adware.

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:

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

SmartQuestSearch adware removal:

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

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

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

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

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

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

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

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

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

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

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

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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