How to remove SmartWebSearch (Mac)

What is SmartWebSearch

According to its name, SmartWebSearch is supposedly meant to provide smarter searching tools that will enhance the browsing experience. Although, it is a browser hijacker that targets Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari browsers located on Mac systems. Being categorized as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), SmartWebSearch alters the browser settings touching the homepage appearance. The program will, therefore, add a couple of shortcuts to quickly access the most popular platforms like Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Besides that, SmartWebSearch migrates default search engine to weknow.ac, searchmine.net, chumsearch.com, and other dubious engines. Whilst these changes may seem useful, browser hijackers are often designed to earn money by gathering browser-related data like passwords, browsing history, geolocations, and IP-addresses that are sold to cybercriminals. In order to avert data leaks, you should remove SmartWebSearch right now.

How SmartWebSearch infected your computer

Likewise other Unwanted Applications, browser hijackers are being distributed via infected repacks advertised on dubious pages. This deceptive method is called bundling and has been highly-popular around cybercriminals. SmartWebSearch is usually promoted through fake flash updaters on landing pages that convince inexperienced users that their software is outdated and needs to be renewed. Therefore, instead of promised updates, the unwanted program will stealthily settle onto your system and cause various issues. Also, when running through the installation kits, users tend to neglect to check “Advanced/Custom” options that include unwanted applications like SmartWebSearch. Thus, after installing a program, you will be puzzled by unexpected infections that appeared along the way. This is why you should be attentive especially whilst installing cracked or pirated software from shady websites. Below, you will see a deck of solutions to get rid of SmartWebSearch or other unwanted applications from your system.

Remove SmartWebSearch manually for free

Note: SmartWebSearch sets up to start on Mac OS 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 “SmartWebSearch” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

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

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

Remove SmartWebSearch from Applications

Remove SmartWebSearch from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall SmartWebSearch

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

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

Remove SmartWebSearch add-on from your browsers

Removing SmartWebSearch.app 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 SmartWebSearch 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 SmartWebSearch 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 SmartWebSearch 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 SmartWebSearch extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish SmartWebSearch 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 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 SmartWebSearch


~/Library/Application Support/SmartWebSearch
~/Library/SmartWebSearch
~/Library/Logs/SmartWebSearch.log
~/Library/SmartWebSearch
~/Applications/SmartWebSearch.app

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

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 SmartWebSearch in browsers.

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like SmartWebSearch

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time there was no need in 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.