How to remove SmartCheck adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is SmartCheck?
SmartCheck displays advertisements and makes changes in the web browser's settings. This app has the qualities of adware and a browser hijacker. Users rarely download and install such apps intentionally. Thus, SmartCheck and similar apps are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
SmartCheck adware in detail
SmartCheck generates ads that could open various scams, download sites for PUAs, phishing pages, and other dubious sites. Moreover, those ads could be designed to run specific scripts to download (or even install) unwanted apps.
SmartCheck hijacks a web browser by changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to a fake search engine. Fake search engines cannot be trusted. They can redirect users to shady websites (or promote those pages by including them in search results). Also, they can show results generated by other untrustworthy search engines.
| Name | Ads by SmartCheck |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| 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 about adware
Adware can be used as a tool to gather information. In such cases, its developer may misuse collected data for marketing purposes, sell it to third parties, or for other purposes. Either way, it is not safe to have apps like SmartCheck installed on a browser or the operating system. More adware examples are IndexerService, IntegrationAdmin, FileClick.
How did SmartCheck install on my computer?
Most users download and install adware together with other software, by clicking on certain advertisements or through fake installers. Downloaders and installers for software bundled with adware have "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings. Those settings have to be changed to deselect optional downloads or installations.
Advertisements cause unexpected downloads or installations when designed to execute specific scripts. Adware gets downloaded or installed after clicking on those ads. Fake installers usually get downloaded from deceptive, potentially malicious sites.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Applications and files should be downloaded only from official pages and direct links. Downloads and installations should not be completed without checking downloaders and installers for settings like "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced" and deselecting unwanted apps.
Advertisements showing up on pages related to gambling, adult dating, and other questionable pages should not be clicked. If your computer is already infected with SmartCheck, 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 SmartCheck adware:
SmartCheck'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 SmartCheck?
- STEP 1. Remove SmartCheck related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SmartCheck ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SmartCheck adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SmartCheck ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SmartCheck adware using Combo Cleaner:
SmartCheck adware removal:
Remove SmartCheck-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?
Adware can slow down a computer, conceal contents of visited websites (and diminish web browsing experience in other ways), invade online privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware displays advertisements (for example, pop-ups, banners, coupons). It can also be designed to hijack a web browser (to promote a fake search engine) and collect various data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware is monetized by promoting various products, websites, and (or) services. Most adware developers use affiliate programs to monetize it.
Will Combo Cleaner remove SmartCheck adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and get rid of the SmartCheck adware (and other detected adware). It is worth mentioning that manual removal does not always work - some of the files belonging to adware remain in the system even when it is already removed. Thus, adware should be eliminated automatically (using specialized software).
Outstanding!
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