How to uninstall SmartControl adware from your operating system

What is SmartControl?

SmartControl is an adware-type application with browser hijacker traits. Once successfully infiltrated into systems, this app begins running intrusive advertisement campaigns and makes modifications to browser settings to promote fake search engines.

In addition, most adware-type apps and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity. Due to the dubious methods employed in SmartControl's distribution, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of third party graphical content, typically on any visited website. The delivered pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements significantly diminish the browsing experience by overlaying page content and reducing browsing speed. Furthermore, these ads pose a threat to device and user safety. When clicked, they can redirect to various dubious/malicious websites and some can even execute scripts to stealthily download/install software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers assign the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches made via the URL bar redirect to the promoted address.

Fake search engines are seldom able to provide search results, so they tend to redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other legitimate sites. Recovering a hijacked browser without removing the software affecting it is impossible, as browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser settings and undo any permitted changes made.

Furthermore, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking capabilities. They record browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SmartControl
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
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.

InitiatorValue, EssentialElement and ActivityInput are some examples of other applications within the adware classification. They may seem normal and offer various "useful" functionality, however, the advertised features are rarely operational. In fact, this is true of most PUAs.

The only purpose of this unwanted software is to generate profit for the developers. PUAs operate by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, causing redirects, hijacking browsers and collecting private data.

How did SmartControl install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated via download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device.

Intrusive advertisements can infiltrate these applications into systems as well. Once clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

You are advised to research all software before download/installation or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources, since dubious channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem normal and harmless, however, they can redirect to various dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others).

If you encounter ads or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and remove any suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately.

If your computer is already infected with SmartControl, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once SmartControl adware installation is complete:

SmartControl adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove SmartControl adware using Combo Cleaner:

SmartControl adware removal:

Remove SmartControl-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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