How to remove SmartSearchQuest adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What type of application is SmartSearchQuest?
SmartSearchQuest is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that has two purposes: to display advertisements and hijack a web browser/promote a fake search engine. It hijacks a browser by changing its settings. SmartSearchQuest is distributed via a fake Adobe Flash Player installer.
SmartSearchQuest adware in detail
SmartSearchQuest can generate advertisements (for example, pop-ups, banners) designed to promote untrustworthy pages. Those pages can be used to trick visitors into providing personal information, downloading (and installing) PUAs, and for other purposes. Ads displayed by SmartSearchQuest also might cause unwanted downloads or even installations.
SmartSearchQuest promotes a fake search engine by making it as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It also does not allow users to remove that fake search engine from the browser's settings. Fake search engines cannot be trusted - they can be used as tools to promote shady web pages.
| Name | Ads by SmartSearchQuest |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | N/A |
| 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. |
More details about SmartSearchQuest
Additionally, SmartSearchQuest might be capable of accessing and collecting various data, for example, visited pages, credit card details, passwords. Either way, this application cannot be trusted. There are many examples of similar apps. Some of them are UpgradeSearchView, SearchMultiplyResults, and CleanSearch.
How did SmartSearchQuest install on my computer?
SmartSearchQuest is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Usually, fake installers are promoted using deceptive websites claiming that a computer is infected, installed software is out of date, and so on. It is important to mention that fake installers can be malicious.
Apps like SmartSearchQuest can also be distributed through certain advertisements and downloaders, installers for other programs. In the second case, users download or install unwanted apps when they do not change "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings available in downloaders or installers.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Avoid clicking on ads that questionable pages have on them and using unofficial pages or other unreliable sources for downloading files, programs. Also, do not download or install programs without checking their downloaders or installers for potentially unwanted applications.
If your computer is already infected with SmartSearchQuest, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to the SmartSearchQuest adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartSearchQuest/SmartSearchQuest
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartSearchQuestDaemon/SmartSearchQuest
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SmartSearchQuest.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SmartSearchQuestDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the SmartSearchQuest 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 (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 adware/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 SmartSearchQuest?
- STEP 1. Remove SmartSearchQuest related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SmartSearchQuest ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SmartSearchQuest adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SmartSearchQuest ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SmartSearchQuest adware using Combo Cleaner:
SmartSearchQuest adware removal:
Remove SmartSearchQuest-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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can affect computer performance, web browsing experience. It also can be the reason behind problems related to online privacy, browsing safety.
What does adware do?
The main purpose of adware is to generate revenue for its developer by displaying ads. Also, software of this type can change the browser's settings and collect various data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Most advertising-supported programs are used to promote various websites, products, services, etc. Usually, their developers use affiliate programs for that.
Will Combo Cleaner remove SmartSearchQuest adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate SmartSearchQuest or other adware-type applications. It is recommended to eliminate adware using specialized software. Manual removal might not be enough - some of the adware components might still be present and running even after its removal.
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