This article has been created in order to explain what is Smart Mac Care PUP and how you can remove it from your Mac effectively.
A new program, which claims to be “a perfect solution for all your Mac problems” has been reported by security experts to be involved in questionable activities. The program, called Smart Mac Care is believed to be a rogue app that is promoted as a useful tool to optimize users’ Macs. In reality however, the app may perform automated scans which show users that their Mac is at risk and they should purchase it’s licensed version in order to fix problems for your Mac. If you have the Smart Mac Care program installed on your Mac and want to remove it, we recommend that you read the following article.
Threat Summary
| Name | Smart Mac Care |
| Type | Hoax Optimizer for Mac OS |
| Short Description | May perform numerous scans and ask victims to pay it’s license before actually fixing problems on their Macs that may not even exist. |
| Symptoms | May run automatic system scans that detect different errors on each scan. May suggest to purchase it’s full version in an intrusive manner. |
| Distribution Method | Via bundled installers or fake advertisements. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Smart Mac Care. |
Smart Mac Care – How Did I Get It
The main method by which you could have started seeing these types of unwanted scans to appear on your Mac is by letting the Smart Mac Care app to be installed automatically alongside the setups of other programs or apps you may have downloaded from third-party websites.
In addition to this, the Smart Mac Care app may also be advertised on a website, claiming the app is useful. Furthermore, it is also not excluded that you may encounter suspicious advertisements that may mislead you into downloading the program by believing that your Mac might be at risk. They may appear in proximity to the fake “virus detected” type of message below:
Smart Mac Care – More Information
Once installed on your Mac, the Smart Mac Care program may begin an automated scan on it. This scan may result in Smart Mac Care to detect various types of errors and risks for your Mac. Most experts do advise not to fall for this, because the program aims to trick people into purchasing it’s full version in order to remove the risks.
The Smart Mac Care software may display various scan result messages whose primary goal is to get users to purchase it’s full version:
Furthermore, the program may also be adware-related as many security sites report. This basically means that various different types of unwanted advertisements may appear on your Mac after this app is installed. These ads may vary in type but generally they might be:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser re-directions.
- Online search results that are ad-supported.
- Banners on the sites you visit.
- Online highlighted text ads.
Each time you click on those ads or open the products they advertise, your security may be exposed in different ways. One of those ways is to use tracking technologies on the web pages themselves that may collect information from your Mac. Some of the websites you may be redirected to as a result of visiting those advertisements may get you to download and install malware files that are posing as legitimate program. And some may even pretend to be official login pages for Facebook, Gmail or other often used services with the goal ot steal your passwords. Only one more reason why Smart Mac Care is considered potentially harmful.
Remove Smart Mac Care from Yoyr Mac
If you want to remove this suspicious software from your Mac, we suggest that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They might be able to help you to get rid of this software effectively. If manual removal does not seem to work and you still see the Smart Mac Care app running on your Mac, the best way to remove this program effectively according to security experts is by running an anti-malware scan with an advanced cleaner program. Such software aims to fully detect and remove these types of unwanted software and ensure that future protection is also available for your Mac.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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About the Smart Mac Care Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Smart Mac Care 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 Smart Mac Care?
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 Smart Mac Care threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1. macOS More Susceptible to Adware and PUPs than Windows
2. XLoader Malware-as-a-Service Now Available for macOS for Only $49
3. XCSSET Mac Malware Targets Apple’s M1-Based Macs and macOS 11
4. macOS Backdoor Malware Linked to OceanLotus Hackers
5. The State of Apple’s Privacy So Far in 2021
Preparation Phase:
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.
Step 1: Uninstall Smart Mac Care and remove related files and objects
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 Smart Mac Care:
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 Smart Mac Care. 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 Smart Mac Care. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any left-over 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 Smart Mac Care 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:
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 Smart Mac Care. 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 2: Remove Smart Mac Care – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Remove an extension from Safari and reset it.
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Step 3: Scan for and remove Smart Mac Care files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Smart Mac Care, 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.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Step 4: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
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.
Smart Mac Care FAQ
What is Smart Mac Care on your Mac?
The Smart Mac Care 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 siginficantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your Mac to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your MacOS.
Can my Mac get a virus?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get viruses. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that the following Apple devices can become infected with a virus:
- iMac
- Mac Mini
- Macbook Air
- Macbook Pro
- iPhone
- iPad
What are the symptoms of Smart Mac Care on your Mac?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also most Mac threats in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your Mac may become slow and has poor performance in general.
Symtpom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Mac's Activity Monitor.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts reccomend that you check your Mac for viruses.
What types of Mac threats are there?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently infect your Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware and hijackers.
- Trojan horses and other spyware.
- Ransomware and screen-lockers.
- Cryptocurrency miner malware.
What to do if I have a Mac virus, like Smart Mac Care?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One reccomended 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, tracking cookies and unwanted adware apps plus take care of them quickly. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to secure my passwords and other data from Smart Mac Care?
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.
