How to remove SmarterMac (Mac)

What is SmarterMac

SmarterMac is a type of adware that infiltrates users’ systems, primarily targeting Mac computers. This malicious software is designed to display a plethora of advertisements, including intrusive pop-ups, in-text ads, and video ads, often leading users to click on tempting offers. Once installed, SmarterMac alters browser settings, changing the default homepage and search engine, and can prevent users from reverting these changes. Additionally, it may block access to legitimate websites and degrade overall system performance. The adware often installs without user consent, typically bundled with free software or through deceptive tactics such as spam emails. Due to its stealthy nature, many antivirus programs fail to detect SmarterMac, allowing it to persist on systems for extended periods. Users are advised to take immediate action to remove this threat to restore their system’s functionality and security.

How SmarterMac infects Mac computers

SmarterMac is an adware program that typically infects Mac systems through deceptive methods, primarily leveraging bundled software installations. Users often encounter it while downloading free applications from unreliable websites, where SmarterMac is disguised as a harmless browser extension or an optional program. Its installation is often facilitated by users inadvertently agreeing to install additional software without thoroughly reviewing the terms and conditions during the setup process. Additionally, SmarterMac can infiltrate systems through spam email attachments or fake software update prompts, which trick users into downloading malicious files. Once installed, it modifies browser settings, displays intrusive ads, and may even install additional malware, leading to compromised security and degraded system performance. The stealthy nature of SmarterMac makes it particularly challenging to detect and remove, underscoring the importance of cautious browsing habits and vigilant software management.

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

Remove SmarterMac manually for free

Note: SmarterMac 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 “SmarterMac” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: SmarterMac 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 SmarterMac in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

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

Remove SmarterMac from Applications

Remove SmarterMac from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall SmarterMac

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

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

Remove SmarterMac add-on from your browsers

Removing SmarterMac 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 SmarterMac 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 SmarterMac 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 SmarterMac 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 SmarterMac extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish SmarterMac 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 SmarterMac


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


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

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 SmarterMac in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like SmarterMac

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