How to remove SmartTask adware

What kind of software is SmartTask?

Our malware researchers have discovered SmartTask while checking the samples on VirusTotal. After examining SmartTask, it was found that this app displays various advertisements. Apps that operate this way are classified as adware. In most cases, adware is distributed using questionable methods.

SmartTask adware in detail

We have examined a great number of adware-type apps and learned that they show ads used to promote questionable apps and websites. Moreover, they can display ads designed to download or even install unwanted apps, promote various scams, etc. Thus, SmartTask and other apps (their ads) cannot be trusted.

Additionally, adware can be designed to promote a fake search engine by making certain changes in the settings of the affected web browser. It can hijack a web browser by changing the address of a default search engine, homepage, new tab page. Fake search engines can show misleading results. Also, they can show results generated by untrustworthy search engines.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SmartTask
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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. ▼ 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 about adware

Adware can be used as a tool to gather various information, including credit card details, passwords, and other sensitive data. Collected data can be misused to hijack online accounts and other malicious purposes. More adware examples are NavigateSystem, CommonAnalyser, MultiDetail.

How did SmartTask install on my computer?

Our team has found that a big part of advertising-supported apps is distributed using deceptive pages. Pretty often, those pages claim that installed software is out of date and offer to update it using fake installers. Also, adware is often distributed by bundling it with other software (and through deceptive advertisements).

When software is bundled with adware (or other unwanted apps), it has "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings in its installer (or downloader). Adware gets installed (or downloaded) when users install (or download) software without changing the aforementioned settings.

How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?

Always use official pages, legitimate platforms, and direct links as sources for downloading files and applications. Do not trust advertisements or click fake "Download" (or similar) buttons displayed by shady websites. Change the provided settings to deselect bundled apps before downloading or installing software.

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

A pop-up that appears after the installation of SmartTask:

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

Video showing how to remove SmartTask adware using Combo Cleaner:

SmartTask adware removal:

Remove SmartTask-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?

Different adware can cause different problems. The two most common issues with having adware present are diminished web browsing experience and decreased computer performance.

What does adware do?

It generates advertisements. Additionally, it can be used to promote fake search engines (it can function as a browser hijacker) and gather various data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

They use adware to promote various products, services, web pages, etc. Typically, adware is monetized using various affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove SmartTask adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove advertising-supported applications. It is important to mention that manual removal may not be the best way to eliminate adware - files belonging to adware may remain in the system even after the removal. For this reason, it is advised to remove adware using apps like Combo Cleaner.

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