SmartSignalSearch Adware - How to remove

SmartSignalSearch, or SmartSignalSearchDaemon, is a malicious app that interferes with network settings and may download more unwanted apps. SmartSignalSearch forces browsers to show pop-up ads and open suspicious websites. It also tracks user data.

All in all, SmartSignalSearch is an adware infection. It infiltrates Macs with the help of malicious ads and malware bundles – people download and install it unknowingly. If SmartSignalSearch is on your Mac, it’s important for your privacy and security to delete it as soon as possible.

SmartSignalSearch in short:

Type of threat	Adware, trojan.
Problems caused by SmartSignalSearch	Pop-ups and redirects in web browsers, unstable internet connection, settings revert after being changed, unfamiliar apps and browser extensions are installed.
How adware infects Macs	Advertised online with deceptive ads, downloaded with other malware.
H0w to delete SmartSignalSearch	Find and delete SmartSignalSearch and all the related files and settings, check if there are other adware infections on the device with anti-malware apps (Spyhunter for Mac, Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, etc.).

SmartSignalSearch

SmartSignalSearch is a malicious app that appears unexpectedly on a Mac. It’s a sort of malware – an app that promotes certain websites and tracks user data.

When SmartSignalSearch is installed, it can cause various problems, though not necessarily all of them:

• your web browsers open unexpected websites – ads and search sites,
• unfamiliar apps and browser extensions are installed,
• SmartSignalSearch tracks your browsing data, such as your search history,
• the internet is sometimes slow or just stops working, but only on the infected Mac,
• some websites don’t not open,
• online apps crash or freeze.

MacOS should warn about this malicious app (App wants access to control Safari), but it might not always do it, especially if you use an older version of macOS.

Another problem with SmartSignalSearch is that it can be hard to delete. You might delete unwanted browser add-ons or change browser settings, only for them to revert after some time.

How adware infections get installed

SmartSignalSearch is very similar to a lot of other macOS adware infections, such as FunctionLogInput, OriginalModuled, and others.

People usually encounter these malicious apps when they see malicious ads. These ads are often made to look like software updates and virus alerts. They offer to download files to install these supposed updates or security tools.

The malicious ads are disguised as Apple, Adobe, etc. ads because these are trusted companies. The ads are created by scammers and malicious actors to trick people into downloading and installing malware. Impersonating trusted companies is how a lot of scammers trick people

Malicious ads mostly show up on websites that tend to display low-quality ads. Pirating sites – free movie and streaming sites, sites for software cracks – are likely to show dangerous ads. Malicious browser extensions can also show them.

Ad blockers (content blockers) can help avoid dangerous ads. They can block pop-ups, including those that are malicious.

How to remove SmartSignalSearch

Try removing the SmartSignalSearch app the normal way. It may work, but it’s not surprising if it doesn’t. Malware like SmartSignalSearch use various files and settings to persist on infected Macs, which means they can return after being deleted.

In the instructions below, it’s described how to find change the settings that adware infections hijack (profile configuration, network settings). Deal with those settings, search for files related to SmartSignalSearch in hidden folders and delete them.

Now, deleting the SmartSignalSearch app and/or browser extension should stick.

Check your Mac for other suspicious apps. It can be difficult to notice them if you don’t know what to look for, but anti-malware apps like Spyhunter for Mac, Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, and others, can help. They can warn you about suspicious apps and files.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Delete malicious files

How to remove SmartSignalSearch Adware from macOS

Delete SmartSignalSearch Adware from your applications.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go.
3. Select Applications from the dropdown.
4. Find the SmartSignalSearch Adware app.
5. Select it and right-click it (or hold the Ctrl and click the left mouse button).
6. In the dropdown, click Move to Bin/Trash. You might be asked to provide your login password.

(Optional) Delete related settings

Some malicious apps make themselves difficult to delete by changing various settings and leaving behind malicious files. Remove settings related to SmartSignalSearch Adware.

• Click the Apple logo in the menu bar. Open System Preferences.
• Some malicious applications set profiles to enforce unwanted settings. Remove unwanted configuration profiles.

1. 1. In System Preferences, click the Profiles icon. This icon is only visible if there are profiles on your Mac.
   2. Select unwanted profiles and remove them by pressing the minus '-'  button at the bottom.

• Some adware applications set SOCKS proxy to manipulate your internet traffic. Remove unwanted proxies:

1. 1. In System Preferences, click Network, Advanced, Proxies.
   2. If a proxy is set without your permission, uncheck it and click OK.

(Optional) Delete malicious files

Some malicious apps leave behind dangerous files in your Library folders. Delete files related to SmartSignalSearch Adware.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go -> Computer.
3. In the search box, type in SmartSignalSearch Adware and variations of it.
4. Delete the files that are found and that seem to be related to SmartSignalSearch Adware.

Remove browser hijackers

How to remove SmartSignalSearch Adware from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall SmartSignalSearch Adware and other suspicious extensions.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences and choose General tab. Enter preferable URL to the homepage field.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings(older versions) If you are still experiencing any issues related to SmartSignalSearch Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari…
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopHow to remove SmartSignalSearch Adware from Google Chrome on Mac:

• Open Chrome browser.
• Enter in the url field “chrome://extensions” address and hit Enter.
• Find SmartSignalSearch Adware on the extensions list and click on the recycle bin icon next to it.
• Click on 'Chrome' button at the top left corner. Select 'Preferences' on a drop-down menu box.
• Find 'Search' options on Settings tab. If your search engine is changed, click 'Manage Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• On the same page find 'Show home button' checkbox and change your homepage.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to SmartSignalSearch Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• On the 'Preferences' menu window, scroll down to the bottom and find 'Reset settings' button. Click it.
• Confirm your selection and click 'Reset' on the following window.

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program. Top

How To remove SmartSignalSearch Adware from Firefox on Mac OS:

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (Or press cmd+Shift+A on your keyboard).
• Go through Extensions list, remove everything SmartSignalSearch Adware related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
• Enter “about:preferences” in URL bar and hit enter.
• Open Search settings tab.
• If your search engine is changed, click 'Default Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• If your homepage was changed, click on the Firefox menu in the top right corner, select Preferences-> General. Enter a preferable URL to the home page field.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to SmartSignalSearch Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
• Click on the Refresh Firefox button.
• Click on the Refresh Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.

If the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program to identify malicious entries.