Threat Database Adware MacWebSearchSmart

MacWebSearchSmart

MacWebSearchSmart is an adware application that is targeting Mac users. Typically, users do not notice when such an intruder application is being delivered to their computers and devices. The explanation is quite simple - these applications do not spread themselves via the usual distribution channels. Instead, they rely on deceptive methods, such as bundling and pretending to be software updaters/installers for other far more popular products. MacWebSearchSmart, for example, may be disguised as an Adobe Flash Player update to the unsuspecting users. This deceptive behavior classifies it as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program).

After being established on the Mac, MacWebSearchSmart will begin running an intrusive ad campaign. Users will notice a significant increase in the pop-ups, banners, surveys, in-text links, etc., that they encounter while browsing. The advertisements themselves may carry various clickbait messages, in an attempt to lure the user into clicking on them. Afterward, via forced redirects, the advertisements could open questionable or outright unsafe third-party websites. It is not uncommon for users to land on online misleading pages, phishing pages, domains spreading PUPs or suspicious game portals. 

As if that wasn't enough, most PUPs also possess data-gathering routines that they use to spy on the user's browsing activities. Information such as the entire browsing history, all conducted searches and clicked links could be saved to a file and then transmitted to a remote server. The operators of the PUP are then free to exploit the received information about the users, in a multitude of different ways, including selling it to interested third parties.

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