Remove MacWebSearchSmart Hijacker From Mac

MacWebSearchSmart: Simple Uninstall Guide

MacWebSearchSmart is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that mainly spreads via software bundling. In some cases, users might install it believing it’s a useful tool. It belongs to the category of browser hijacker that changes default browser’s settings to promote a fraudulent search engine. This nasty threat replaces the homepage, search provider, and new tab page URLs with the address of a fake search tool, which redirects all searches to Yahoo or other legitimate engines. Moreover, results delivered by the modified search provider are irrelevant and are filled with ads and affiliated links.

MacWebSearchSmart Performs Several Evil Deeds:

At the first glance, MacWebSearchSmart may look like a useful tool with some valuable features. However, you probably have not installed this app yourself but have deceived into it by downloading freeware that added to your browser or by a misleading ad. Such browser-based intruders can be more sneaky than users realize. These programs usually have access to everything you do online so that they can record the sites you visit, items you purchase, links you click, search queries you type and so on. In general, they also inject advertisements into the websites you visit.

Ads delivered by MacWebSearchSmart are in several forms e.g., banners, pop-ups, deals, offers, coupons, discounts, etc. These ads are not filtered, so they can redirect to potentially dangerous sites and trick you into installing unreliable software, exposing your personal data, etc. All the creators of these potentially unwanted programs care about is income generated from pay-per-click ads. This is a negative environment for a victim when you are frequently exploited for others’ gain and don’t know which websites you visit are legitimate and which ones are promoted by cyber offenders.

Clicking on MacWebSearchSmart ads may take you to insecure portals that include spiteful contents such as malware, push notification viruses, tech support scams, PUPs, gambling, porn, etc. So, it is strongly advised to stay away from these adverts even if they seem eye-catching at the first glance. As stated before, this nasty hijacker can record data, so it can also gather your personal information like saved passwords, credit card and banking details, and expose them to cyber crooks for evil motives. Your sensitive data could be misused for making deceptive transactions, online purchases that may result in significant financial losses. Hence, a quick MacWebSearchSmart removal is strongly required.

Distribution Of MacWebSearchSmart:

Some users install potentially unwanted programs willingly when they believe their false advertisement campaigns. But that occurs rarely. In most cases, PUPs such as adware, browser hijackers, etc., are installed on targeted computers unknowingly with other free applications through a technique called software bundling. Packs containing installers for more than one app are generally downloaded from third-party software vendors, but some legitimate software developers can use this method too. When you download a free program from third-party site and then install it using the Quick or Recommended mode set, you risk contaminating your PC with unwanted threats.

That’s why you have to be very careful when installing any new software. Research the application prior to its download/installation. Always select the Custom or Advanced installation option where you will be able to opt-out the contents that rise suspicion or you don’t want to get installed. Moreover, software should be downloaded from official channels, reliable sources, and by using direct links only. Unofficial and free file-hosting site, Peer-to-peer networks, and other third-party downloaders should not be used. But at the moment, you must remove MacWebSearchSmart from the Mac as early as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to MacWebSearchSmart

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove MacWebSearchSmart from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete MacWebSearchSmart add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to MacWebSearchSmart. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.