How to uninstall SmartQuestSearch adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SmartQuestSearch?
SmartQuestSearch is classified as a browser hijacker and an adware-type app. It is designed to promote a fake search engine by modifying browser settings and displaying advertisements. Users often download and install these apps unintentionally and, therefore, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Note that SmartQuestSearch is distributed through a deceptive Adobe Flash Player installer.
When installed, adware-type applications such as SmartQuestSearch display coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and other advertisements. Generally, these open untrusted websites and, in some cases, execute scripts designed to download and install potentially unwanted or even malicious software.
SmartQuestSearch also changes browser settings (such as the address of the homepage, new tab and default search engine) to the address of a fake search engine. Usually people cannot undo or change the settings unless they uninstall the app that modified them.
Furthermore, these PUAs often track information. They collect browsing data (e.g., addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations), however, they might also be designed to gather sensitive information. The data could be misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways.
Therefore, users might become victims of identity theft, experience issues relating to online privacy, browsing safety, and/or other problems. It this, or other similar apps, are installed on the browser or operating system, remove them immediately.
| Name | Ads by SmartQuestSearch |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Dload.1), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
More examples of apps similar to SmartQuestSearch are SearchTopic, Kreberisec and CreativeSearch. Note that deceptive installers such as the aforementioned Adobe Flash Player installer can be used to distribute malicious software. For example, ransomware, Trojan-type programs, and other malware. Therefore, never use these rogue installers.
How did SmartQuestSearch install on my computer?
As mentioned above, SmartQuestSearch is distributed through a deceptive installer, however, apps of this type are often installed together with other software, when they are included into the download and/or installation set-ups as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is known as "bundling".
In most cases, offers to download/install potentially unwanted apps are mentioned in "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings of set-ups.
Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby inadvertently granting PUAs permission to be downloaded and installed. Additionally, PUAs are often downloaded and installed through deceptive ads (when they are clicked) that run certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to download all programs and files only from official websites and via direct links. Other channels and tools such as third party downloaders/installers, torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial websites, etc., are often used to promote unwanted apps.
Check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings of the download and installation setup before completing the process, and decline offers to download or install additionally-included apps. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious pages, since they can open untrusted websites or cause download/installation of unwanted applications.
Remove any unknown, unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons already installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with SmartQuestSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to SmartQuestSearch adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartQuestSearch/SmartQuestSearch
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartQuestSearchDaemon/SmartQuestSearch
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SmartQuestSearch.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SmartQuestSearchDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote SmartQuestSearch 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 and select "Profiles".
2) Select the "SmartQuestSearch" profile and delete it.
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.
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 SmartQuestSearch?
- STEP 1. Remove SmartQuestSearch related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SmartQuestSearch ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SmartQuestSearch adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SmartQuestSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
SmartQuestSearch adware removal:
Remove SmartQuestSearch-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!
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