This article gives insight on MyCouponsmart adware and explains why it is better to remove this program from the affected system. The removal of this undesired program could be realized with the help of several steps that are listed at the end of the article.
MyCouponsmart “Virus”
MyCouponsmart is a program that according to its authors detects the best offers and provides various coupons for special deals. However, often times it invades Mac devices without users’ knowledge. That’s why it is classified as undesired program of adware kind. Soon after it gains access to target device it becomes able to collect details related to browsing activities and send them to its servers. Then it starts to generate lots of annoying targeted ads on the affected device.
The spread of MyCouponsmart is realized via different channels. One of these channels is its official website that is hosted on the poorly secured domain mycouponsmartmac.com. Below you could see the main page of this website:
However, since MyCouponsmart is considered to be an undesired program, it is unlikely that you have downloaded it by your will. It is more likely that the adware has managed to access your Mac with the help of any shady spread technique. Such a technique is the so-called software bundling. It enables the undesired program to obtain an unattended permission for install. Yes. It’s really tricky.
It is realized with the help of various supposedly useful apps. How these apps provide for the installation of adware programs like MyCouponsmart is by offering the second as special extras. Unfortunately, their installers are designed in a way that no information about PUP’s presence is properly revealed. The good news is that you may be able to reveal the presence of the potentially undesired program by selecting the Advanced/Custom install step. More often than not this step presents information about any additional programs that are set to install along with the primary one.
MyCouponsmart – More About It
As described on its official website MyCouponsmart is an app that gives you a brand new online shopping experience. Its owners present it as useful shopping assistant that will find the best offers based on your previous searches and purchases. What’s more it is stated to be able to detect various coupons while you’re browsing retail websites.
In reality, MyCouponsmart appears to be just another nasty adware program that aims to spy on your online activities and then use the data for its aggressive ad campaigns. Soon after its configuration files are started on your Mac, the adware accesses browser settings and sets different tracking technologies to collect browsing details.
Data records are instantly transferred to its servers in order that its owners could integrate them into their advertising campaigns. As a result, you become a target of many annoying targeted advertisements that attempt to trick you into visiting bogus websites. On one hand all ads that load in your browser may make it sluggish or even unresponsive at times. On the other hand nowhere is clearly defined what security checks and procedures should every ad meet in order to be released in live advertising campaign. Hence you may see ads that land on web pages infected with malware. And in case that you visit such a page you could unnoticeably trigger the execution of malicious code directly on your device.
If you want to stop all issues caused by MyCouponsmart and prevent it from damaging your Mac you need to remove all files associated with this adware. See how to go step by step through this process in the guide right below.
How to Remove MyCouponsmart Adware from Mac
In order to remove MyCouponsmart along with all potentially harmful files created on your Mac, you should complete all steps listed in the removal that follows. It presents both manual and automatic removal instructions that combined could help you to detect and remove this undesired program in full.
In case that you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send us an email.
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
Backup your files in case the worst happens.
Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
Arm yourself with patience.
1. Scan for Mac Malware
2. Uninstall Risky Apps
3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove MyCouponsmart files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as MyCouponsmart, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for MyCouponsmart:
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall MyCouponsmart and remove related files and objects
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Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to MyCouponsmart:
Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to MyCouponsmart. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to MyCouponsmart. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove MyCouponsmart via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as MyCouponsmart. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove MyCouponsmart – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.Remove a toolbar from Google ChromeRemove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
1. Start Safari
2. After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
3. From the menu, click on "Preferences"
4. After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab
5. Click once on the extension you want to remove.
6. Click 'Uninstall'
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the MyCouponsmart will be removed.
How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.
Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.
Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.
1. Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
2. Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
3. From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the add-on and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.
4. After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" in the top right corner and start it again.
1. Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
2. Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
3. Select the Extension and click "Remove"
4. After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" in the top right corner and start it again.
MyCouponsmart-FAQ
What is MyCouponsmart on your Mac?
The MyCouponsmart threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like MyCouponsmart?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from MyCouponsmart?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1:Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2:Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7:(Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8:Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the MyCouponsmart Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this MyCouponsmart how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on MyCouponsmart?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the MyCouponsmart threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
