How to uninstall SmartFunctionSearch adware from your operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
How to remove SmartFunctionSearch adware from Mac?
What is SmartFunctionSearch?
SmartFunctionSearch is a rogue app, classified as adware. It also has browser hijacker qualities. Following successful installation, this application runs intrusive advertisement campaigns, makes changes to browser settings and promotes fake search engines. Most adware-types and browser hijackers collect browsing-related information. Typically, users download/install SmartFunctionSearch inadvertently, due to this it is deemed to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application). One of the dubious techniques used to distribute SmartFunctionSearch is via fake Adobe Flash Player updates. It is noteworthy that illegitimate software updaters/installers are employed to spread not only PUAs but trojans, ransomware and other malware as well.
Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page and other intrusive advertisements. They diminish the browsing quality, as they overlay page content and slow down the browsing activity. Once clicked on, intrusive ads redirect to various sale-based/promotional, rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious websites. Some of these adverts can even be triggered (by being clicked on) to execute scripts, designed to download/install software (e.g. PUAs) without user permission. Browser hijackers can reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs - to the addresses of fake web searchers. Hence, with such a piece of software installed: every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address. Illegitimate search engines are usually unable to provide search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other genuine ones. Furthermore, browser hijackers can reset any changes users attempt to make to their browsers, if they allow access to the browser's settings in the first place. As mentioned in the introduction, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) have data tracking abilities. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To summarize, presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, financial losses, severe privacy issues and even identity theft. Therefore, it is strongly advised to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by SmartFunctionSearch |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.1), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.d), 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. |
InitialWindow, ConnectionFormat and ExpandedSkill are a few examples of other adware-type applications. They appear legitimate and harmless. This software typically offers a wide variety of "handy" functions. However, the advertised features are seldom operational. In fact, this is true of nearly all PUAs. Functionality and user safety are irrelevant, since the only purpose of unwanted apps is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs are designed to deliver intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect private data.
How did SmartFunctionSearch install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed through download/installation setups of other products. This false marketing technique of pre-packing ordinary software with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. skipped steps and sections, etc.) - increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system. Select PUAs have "official" download webpages. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is highly recommended to research products before download/installation and only use official/verified download sources. Untrustworthy download channels, like: unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate, however they redirect to various unreliable and questionable websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on). In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the system must be inspected and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with SmartFunctionSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to the SmartFunctionSearch adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartFunctionSearch/SmartFunctionSearch
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SmartFunctionSearchDaemon/SmartFunctionSearch
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SmartFunctionSearch.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SmartFunctionSearchDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote SmartFunctionSearch 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 "SmartFunctionSearch" 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 computer 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is SmartFunctionSearch?
- STEP 1. Remove SmartFunctionSearch related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SmartFunctionSearch ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SmartFunctionSearch adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SmartFunctionSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
SmartFunctionSearch adware removal:
Remove SmartFunctionSearch-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 ads by smartfunctionsearch 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.
Ads by SmartFunctionSearch removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by smartfunctionsearch related Safari extensions:
Open 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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ads by smartfunctionsearch related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ads by smartfunctionsearch related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
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