How to uninstall SmartDivision app/extension from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is SmartDivision

SmartDivision is an adware app that targets Mac computers. Adware is a part of malicious software. It is designed to bombard you with endless advertisements and popup windows that could potentially be dangerous for your MAC. If you get adware software on your Apple Mac, it can change internet browser settings and install malicious browser addons.

Does adware software steal your confidential information? Adware software may monetize its functionality by collecting confidential information from your browsing sessions. This user data, later, can be easily sold to third party companies. This puts your privacy info at a security risk.

In this blog post we will discuss how can you remove SmartDivision adware from the MAC OS manually or with free adware removal tools compatible with with modern operating systems.

How does SmartDivision get on your machine

Most often, adware come together with the installation packages from file sharing and torrents web pages. So, install freeware is a a good chance that you will find a bundled adware software. If you don’t know how to avoid it, then use a simple trick. During the install, choose the Custom or Advanced installation method. Next, press ‘Decline’ button and clear all checkboxes on offers that ask you to install bundled apps. Moreover, please carefully read Term of use and User agreement before installing any applications or otherwise you can end up with another unwanted app on your MAC such as the SmartDivision adware.

Threat Summary

Name	SmartDivision, SmartDivision 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Adware.MAC.Generic, MacOS.Agent-MT, OSX.Trojan.Gen, Adware/Adload!OSX, ApplicUnwnt, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload and Program:MacOS/Vigram.A
Distribution	Freeware installers, malicious pop up ads, fake updaters and torrent downloads
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to unfamiliar web pages, adverts appear in places they shouldn’t be, your MAC system starts automatically installing unexpected applications, new add-ons suddenly added on your web browser, your web-browser startpage has changed without your permission, slow browsing Internet.
Removal	SmartDivision removal guide

How to Remove SmartDivision pop-up ads (removal instructions)

There are several steps to removing the adware because it installs itself so deeply into the machine. You need to delete all suspicious and unknown software, then get rid of malicious extensions from the Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari and other internet browsers you have installed. Finally, you need to reset your browser settings to delete any changes the adware has made, and then scan your MAC with MalwareBytes to ensure the adware software is fully removed. It will take a while.

To remove SmartDivision, complete the following steps:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Uninstall SmartDivision related apps through the Finder
3. Remove SmartDivision related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove SmartDivision from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

SmartDivision can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware software.

Click Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile associated with SmartDivision.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Uninstall SmartDivision related apps through the Finder

Try to identify and delete the application that causes the appearance of annoying ads or internet browser redirect, using the Applications list which is located in the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed apps and delete all dubious and unknown apps.

When you’ve found anything suspicious that may be the adware related to the SmartDivision pop-up ads or other potentially unwanted program, then right click this program and choose “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove SmartDivision related files and folders

Now you need to try to find SmartDivision related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

SmartDivision creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SmartDivision.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SmartDivision.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.SmartDivision.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.SmartDivision.service.app

Some files created by SmartDivision are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for SmartDivision generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: com.machelper.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, installapp.plist, com.SmartDivision.service.plist, search.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, and macsearch.plist. Most often, adware, PUPs and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for SmartDivision generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.SmartDivision.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

Check for SmartDivision generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for SmartDivision generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.machelper.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.macsearch.system.plist, com.search.system.plist and com.SmartDivision.system.plist. In most cases, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware software create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you’re still having problems with the SmartDivision removal or just wish to check your Mac device occasionally for adware software and other malicious software, then download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). It’s free for home use, and identifies and removes various unwanted software that attacks your MAC system or degrades MAC system performance. MalwareBytes Free can remove PUPs, toolbars, browser hijackers and adware as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.

Installing the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes Free from the link below. Save it directly to your Windows Desktop.

When the downloading process is done, run it and follow the prompts. Press the “Scan” button to start scanning your Apple Mac for the adware software which redirects your internet browser to the unwanted SmartDivision website. Depending on your machine, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. Review the scan results and then click the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Free is a free program that you can use to get rid of all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.

Remove SmartDivision from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to delete harmful extensions. This can delete SmartDivision pop-up advertisements and fix some surfing issues, especially after adware infection.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Google Chrome. When the drop-down menu appears, select ‘More tools’ and click on ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove SmartDivision redirect by reset Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing issues with SmartDivision popup advertisements removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

Use an ad blocking tool like AdGuard will protect you from harmful ads and content. Moreover, you can find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam web-sites. Additionally, ad-blocker software will help you to avoid intrusive pop ups and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

Download AdGuard from the link below.

When the downloading process is done, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you run your MAC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop intrusive pop up ads, block malicious and misleading web-sites.

To sum up

Now your machine should be clean of the adware related to the SmartDivision pop-up ads. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your computer for new adwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you block annoying popup advertisements and harmful webpages). Moreover, to prevent any adware software, please stay clear of unknown and third party programs.

If you need more help with SmartDivision related issues, go to here.