How to remove StackMist (Mac)

What is StackMist

StackMist is browser adware, that targets MacOS and Safari browser. It installs an app and extension. This type of malware inserts its own ads into sites that the victim visits. Being installed into the system StackMist has access to browser history, search phrases, and surfing patterns and can share this private information with third parties. If you spot weird behavior on your computer, like unexpected popups from StackMist while browsing or unwanted changes to browser settings, calling fake technical support numbers, downloading potentially malicious software, then you are very likely infected by this advertising virus. Since StackMist permits advertisers to track users’ browsing data, it strongly recommended removing adware as soon as possible. In this article, we will show several simple methods to uninstall StackMist completely from your Mac.

How StackMist infected your computer

Like many other threats of this type StackMist comes bundled with various freeware utilities users download from the web, as well as software cracks, pirated software, downloaders, converters, PDF readers. In most cases, infection can be prevented by using AdGuard and Spyhunter for Mac. AdGuard will block annoying ads, that promote StackMist-bundled adware. Spyhunter for Mac won’t let it install on your Mac. Use instructions and tools below to eliminate StackMist from MacOS completely.

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

Remove StackMist manually for free

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

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

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

Remove StackMist from Applications

Remove StackMist from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall StackMist

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

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

Remove StackMist add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish StackMist 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 StackMist


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


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

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 StackMist in browsers.

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like StackMist

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.