How to remove SearchSmartResults (Mac)

What is SearchSmartResults

SearchSmartResults is a notorious adware program that compromises the browsing and computing experience of Mac users by injecting various types of ads into web pages. These advertisements can take different forms, including pop-ups, banners, in-text ads, and sponsored links. Interacting with these ads can expose users to phishing scams, malware, or other security threats. Once installed, SearchSmartResults can significantly disrupt the user’s online experience. It bombards users with intrusive ads, which can promote questionable products, services, or websites, and may even contain misleading information aimed at tricking users into clicking on them. The adware can also redirect users’ search queries through its own search engine, generating inaccurate results filled with additional advertisements. This not only disrupts the user’s browsing experience but also poses potential security risks as users may be redirected to malicious websites. Furthermore, SearchSmartResults, like many other browser hijackers, collects private information from users. This can include URLs visited, viewed pages, search queries, usernames/passwords, and even financial/banking information. The collected data is often sold to third parties, leading to serious privacy issues, potential financial losses, and identity theft.

How SearchSmartResults infects Mac computers

SearchSmartResults, like many other adware programs, typically infiltrates Mac systems through deceptive methods. It is often bundled with free software installers, fake flash player installers, or torrent file downloads. Users may unknowingly install this adware while installing other software, especially if they do not carefully review the terms and conditions during the installation process. Another common method of infection is through misleading advertisements or redirects from other malicious websites. Users may be tricked into clicking on these ads or links, which then initiate the download and installation of the adware.

1. Download SearchSmartResults Removal Tool
2. Remove SearchSmartResults from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall SearchSmartResults from Applications
4. Remove SearchSmartResults from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove SearchSmartResults files and folders
7. Block SearchSmartResults ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like SearchSmartResults

Remove SearchSmartResults manually for free

Note: SearchSmartResults sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “SearchSmartResults” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: SearchSmartResults won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose SearchSmartResults in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full SearchSmartResults removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of SearchSmartResults installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove SearchSmartResults from Applications

Remove SearchSmartResults from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. SearchSmartResults might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall SearchSmartResults or SearchSmartResults Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag SearchSmartResults from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall SearchSmartResults

If you can’t uninstall SearchSmartResults using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of SearchSmartResults. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag SearchSmartResults from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with SearchSmartResults.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove SearchSmartResults add-on from your browsers

Removing SearchSmartResults from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the SearchSmartResults extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find SearchSmartResults extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find SearchSmartResults extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose SearchSmartResults extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish SearchSmartResults removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of SearchSmartResults


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.SearchSmartResults.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SearchSmartResults.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.SearchSmartResults.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SearchSmartResults.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote SearchSmartResults

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting SearchSmartResults in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like SearchSmartResults

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac