How to remove SmartConsole (Mac)

What is SmartConsole

SmartConsole is a type of adware specifically targeting macOS systems, belonging to the notorious AdLoad malware family. This rogue application operates by displaying intrusive advertisements such as pop-ups, overlays, and coupons on users’ browsers and desktops. While it may appear to offer useful features, SmartConsole primarily serves to promote questionable websites and potentially harmful software. Users infected with this adware often experience slower system performance and frequent redirects to dubious online destinations. Unlike some variants of AdLoad, SmartConsole has not been observed to hijack browsers, but it still poses significant privacy risks. It collects sensitive data including browsing history, search queries, and even personal information, which can be sold to third parties. Installation typically occurs through deceptive software bundling, fake pop-ups, or compromised download sources. Removing SmartConsole can be challenging, as it often leaves behind residual files that continue to disrupt normal device operation. Utilizing reputable antivirus tools, such as Combo Cleaner, is highly recommended to ensure thorough detection and removal. Awareness and cautious software installation practices remain the best defenses against this persistent adware threat.

How SmartConsole infects Mac computers

SmartConsole typically infects Mac computers through deceptive distribution methods, primarily bundled with legitimate software or via intrusive advertisements. Users may unknowingly download this adware when they install free applications from unreliable sources, such as third-party websites or peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. During the installation process, individuals often overlook the option to customize settings, allowing additional unwanted applications like SmartConsole to infiltrate their systems. Furthermore, the adware can be propagated through malicious pop-ups and misleading ads that redirect users to scam websites. Once installed, SmartConsole can exhibit various intrusive behaviors, including displaying unwanted ads, tracking user data, and redirecting browser traffic, posing significant risks to user privacy and system performance. To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial for users to exercise caution when downloading software and to thoroughly review installation options.

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

Remove SmartConsole manually for free

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

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

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

Remove SmartConsole from Applications

Remove SmartConsole from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall SmartConsole

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

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

Remove SmartConsole add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish SmartConsole 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 SmartConsole


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


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

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 SmartConsole in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like SmartConsole

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