How to uninstall SmartTechLookup adware from the operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SmartTechLookup?
SmartTechLookup is a rogue app classified as adware. It also has browser hijacker qualities. This piece of software operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns and promoting fake search engines via modifications to browser settings. Additionally, SmartTechLookup likely has data tracking abilities.
Due to the dubious methods used to distribute adware and browser hijackers, they are categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). SmartTechLookup has been observed being proliferated through fake Adobe Flash Player updates.
SmartTechLookup adware in detail
Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content on any visited website and/or different interfaces. This software can deliver pop-ups, coupons, surveys, banners, and other intrusive advertisements. They severely diminish the browsing experience by overlaying webpage content and slowing down the browsing speed.
Additionally, intrusive ads endanger device and user safety. They endorse a wide variety of sale-based, rogue, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam, and malicious websites. What is more, some of these adverts can be triggered (by being clicked on) to stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).
Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Hence, with such a piece of software installed: web searches done via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened - redirect to the promoted address.
Illegitimate search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other genuine ones.
Browser hijackers can reset any changes users try to make to their browsers. Alternatively, they can restrict or deny access to the browser settings. Therefore, restoring a hijacked browser is impossible without eliminating the software affecting it.
Adware and browser hijackers typically have data tracking abilities. Targeted information includes: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, and so forth. 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 losses, and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user privacy, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by SmartTechLookup |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Generic.23742), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.l), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Additional Information | This application belongs to 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. |
Adware in general
ExtendedService, ActiveFormat, TechGrid, UnitCache, OptimizationTool, and SkilledUnit are some examples of adware. This software appears legitimate and offers various "useful" functions. However, the features rarely work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
Practically all PUAs lure users into download/installation with promises of nonexistent functionalities. The only goal of unwanted apps is to generate profit for the developers; they have no real value to users. PUAs are designed to run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, force-open unreliable/malicious sites, and collect private information.
How did SmartTechLookup install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed through downloaders/installers of other programs. This false marketing tactic of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., skipped steps, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.
Intrusive advertisements are used to proliferate PUAs as well. Upon being clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. Some PUAs may also have "official" promotional sites from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software before download/installation. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer bundled and harmful content.
When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from additional apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive ads appear legitimate; however, they redirect to unreliable and dubious sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).
In case of encounters with such adverts and redirects, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with SmartTechLookup, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to the SmartTechLookup adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartTechLookup/SmartTechLookup
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartTechLookupDaemon/SmartTechLookup
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SmartTechLookup.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SmartTechLookupDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the SmartTechLookup website 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 (Dock) and select "Profiles".
2) Locate all suspicious profiles and delete them.
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 browser hijacker.
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 SmartTechLookup?
- STEP 1. Remove SmartTechLookup related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SmartTechLookup ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SmartTechLookup adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SmartTechLookup ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SmartTechLookup adware using Combo Cleaner:
SmartTechLookup adware removal:
Remove SmartTechLookup-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.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion