What is Smartsearch?
Smartsearch is a so-called browser hijacker capable of altering browser’s settings without user’s agreement. This type of malware is not as dangerous as a virus, it’s designed for link promotion. It is precisely for this reason that it’s forcefully changing primary search engine of a browser. The thing is, Smartsearch generates irrelevant search results to make user visit certain sites allowing to earn revenue for each click. That’s why we advise you to remove Smartsearch from your computer as soon as possible. There are 2 solutions to this problem – manual removal or using proper anti-malware program. Just know that manual removal might require above-average skills, so if you don’t feel experienced enough, you may apply to the automated removal tool.
How to remove Smartsearch?
To make sure that the hijacker won’t appear again, you need to delete Smartsearch completely. For this, you need to remove the application then check the drives for such leftovers as Smartsearch files and registry entries.
We should warn you that performing some of the steps may require above-average skills, so if you don’t feel experienced enough, you may apply to automatic removal tool.
Combo Cleaner Antivirus is a powerful tool that is able to keep your Mac clean and protect it from various kinds of unwanted programs. It would automatically search out and delete all elements related to Smartsearch. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate Smartsearch, but also the safest and most assuring one.
Steps of Smartsearch manual removal
Uninstall Smartsearch from the system
As it was stated before, more likely that the hijacker appeared on your system brought by other software. So, to get rid of Smartsearch you need to call to memory what you have installed recently.
Remove Smartsearch from Applications
- Open a Finder window
- Click Applications line on the sidebar
- Select the application related to Smartsearch right-click it and choose Move to Trash
Remove Smartsearch from Profiles
- Launch System Preferences
- Select Profiles at the bottom of window.
- Choose AdminPrefs profile, click “-“ icon and enter password.
Remove Smartsearch using Terminal
- Open Terminal
- Copy/paste:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES - Press Return
- Hold the Option/alt key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch
- Navigate to: /Users/yourmacname/Library/Application Support/
- Delete Folder: Agent
- Go back to Terminal and copy/paste:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles NO - Press Return
- Hold the Option/alt key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch
Remove Smartsearch from browsers
Since most of the hijacker threats use a disguise of a browser add-on, you will need to check the list of extensions/add-ons in your browser.
How to remove Smartsearch from Safari
- Start Safari
- Click on Safari menu button, then go to the Extensions
- Delete Smartsearch or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Smartsearch from Google Chrome
- Start Google Chrome
- Click on Tools, then go to the Extensions
- Delete Smartsearch or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Smartsearch from Mozilla Firefox
- Start Mozilla Firefox
- Click on the right-upper corner button
- Click Add-ons, then go to Extensions
- Delete Smartsearch or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
If the above-mentioned methods didn’t help in eliminating the threat, then it’s better to rely on an automatic way of deleting Smartsearch.
We also recommend to download and use Norton to scan the system after Smartsearch removal to make sure that it is completely gone. The antimalware application will detect any vicious components left among system files and registry entries that can recover Smartsearch.
