How to eliminate the SmartDivision adware from your operating system?

What is SmartDivision?

SmartDivision is an adware-type app with browser hijacker traits. Furthermore, due to the dubious methods used to spread products within these classifications, they are also deemed to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

SmartDivision adware in detail

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other intrusive ads. They severely affect the browsing experience and endanger device/user safety. The displayed advertisements endorse various sale-based, untrustworthy, deceptive, and malicious websites. What is more, once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs - to fake web searcher addresses. Hence, every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other genuine ones. Browser hijackers can restrict access to browser settings or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, restoring a browser is impossible without eliminating the software affecting it.

What is more, SmartDivision likely has data tracking abilities, as most PUAs have such functionality. Information of interest includes: browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SmartDivision
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.F), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), 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.

Adware in general

FunctionServer, PortalFlow, and FreshBasic are a few examples of adware. Most PUAs (adware included) appear harmless and offer "handy" functionalities, which are rarely operational. Unwanted applications are designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers, and collect sensitive data.

How did SmartDivision install on my computer?

PUAs can be downloaded/installed together with other software. "Bundling" is the term defining this marketing tactic of packing regular software with various additions. By rushing through download/installation processes, users risk allowing bundled content into their devices.

Once clicked on, intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Some PUAs also have "official" promotional/download sites.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software and download it only from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled/harmful content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore possible options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from all additions. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate; however, they redirect to dubious sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

Should users experience such ads and/or redirects, they must check their devices and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with SmartDivision, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once SmartDivision adware's installation is over:

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

Video showing how to remove SmartDivision adware using Combo Cleaner:

SmartDivision adware removal:

Remove SmartDivision-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?

The presence of adware on a device can lead to diminished browsing experience and system performance. What is more, the content promoted through the ads delivered by adware - can be malicious.

What does adware do?

Adware or advertising-supported software is designed to run intrusive ad campaigns. In other words, this software displays various adverts on any visited website and/or different interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware usually generates revenue through affiliate programs; commission may be gained through ad clicks, website visits, products purchases, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove SmartDivision adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate all installed adware-type apps. On the other hand, manual removal may not be a perfect solution in all cases. Since despite the software itself having been deleted, various leftovers (e.g., files) can remain hidden within the system. Hence, adware components might still be present and running.

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