System Maintenance Service – a potentially unwanted program that can show intrusive ads without permission

System Maintenance Service (also known as System Maintenance Service 1.18) is a questionable web browser add-on that, once inside, may try to change settings of Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and other browsers. Once that is accomplished, the potentially unwanted program[1] acts as a hijacker which redirects users to questionable domains and shows them intrusive ads. In some cases, these advertisements can be marked as System Maintenance Service ads, although usually users will be presented with pop-ups, in-text links, deals, offers, banners, and other content that has no markings.
Besides, just like many other PUPs, the System Maintenance Service virus is set to track users' web browsing sessions in order to generate behavior-based ads, otherwise known as targeted ads.[2] The collected data may also include personal details like name, email, etc., which is another reason to remove System Maintenance Service as soon as possible.
| Name | System Maintenance Service |
| Also known as | System Maintenance Service 1.18 |
| Type | Adware, potentially unwanted program |
| Installation | Typically installed via software bundles or after being tricked by an attractive ad or a fake update pop-up |
| Main dangers | Adware might record information that is considered to be personal and send it to unknown parties (potentially cybercriminals); users might also be led to sites that are ridden with malware or display scam messages urging them to install unwanted programs that may harm the computer |
| Symptoms | Search results are filled with sponsored links; redirects lead to suspicious websites; slow operation of the web browser; all visited websites are filled with pop-ups and other forms of ads, etc. |
| Termination | Use reputable anti-malware software or check our manual removal guide below |
| Recovery & optimization | Adware may change Windows registry settings without permission or engage in other system modifications without permission. In order to fix virus damage done, scan your computer with FortectIntego |
In most of the cases, users will find Ads by System Maintenance Service plaguing their browsers seemingly out of nowhere, hence think that the commercial content is embedded within the visited sites. While it might be the case with some sites, there is plenty of online content that does not expose users to ads. Nevertheless, the infected users would still see deals, offers, coupons, banners, and other intrusive advertisements even on harmless sites.
Nevertheless, System Maintenance Service is usually installed with other applications that users download from the internet, as it can be hidden as an optional component with the installation wizard. In other cases, users might also install the PUP after being tricked by an attractive online ad or after being shown a fake update for such software like Adobe Flash[3] or Java. Additionally, adware infections are also common from scam sites like Your system is infected with 3 viruses.
Besides, users who got infected with System Maintenance Service virus reported that they also found such apps as Free Coins, Free Coins Desktop App 1.29.0, and C Derive DeskTop App on their systems as well – this is another pointer at software bundling. System Maintenance Service removal might be a little complicated, as other malware might be present on the machine.

To bypass that, those who struggle to terminate the unwanted apps or add-ons should scan their machines with anti-malware software. However, it might also be possible to get rid of System Maintenance Service manually by following the instructions provided below. For best results, experts[4] also recommend resetting the installed browsers and scanning the machine with FortectIntego to fix the damage done by adware.
Adware is usually spread through software bundles
Software bundling is extremely prevalent when it comes to the distribution of potentially unwanted programs, and also malware. The main reason for that is because of the lack of attentiveness from users, as they often rush the installation of freeware/shareware and often skip the installation steps. While in recent years, security advocates are trying to rise awareness and urge users to be more cautious, the infections keep coming, although at a reduced rate due to the implementation of high-end safety mechanisms by Google, Microsoft, Apple, and other industry giants.
The best way to avoid potentially unwanted applications and malware is taking care of your computer properly. The first step to a better cybersecurity is anti-malware software, as it can stop many threats from entering in the first place. However, note that PUPs can not always be stopped, as users install them themselves (even if it is done unwillingly). To avoid it, always pick Advanced/Custom installation settings when installing free software from third-party sites, and read each page of the installation instructions carefully. Watch out for tricks that freeware developers use, such as pre-ticked boxes, fine print text, misleading deals, misplaced buttons, etc. Finally, when you encounter a step with optional apps, remove ticks next to them.

Get rid of System Maintenance Service virus
As previously mentioned, System Maintenance Service removal might be either difficult or very easy – it highly depends on many factors, such as your computer literacy skills, the installed anti-malware, the level of infection, etc. In fact, many of the computer nasties can be avoided if a comprehensive security application is installed on the system. Additionally, anti-malware can also be used for PUP elimination, although note that not AV vendors will recognize all unwanted programs.
Thus, you should first try to remove System Maintenance Service yourself by following our detailed removal guide below. Additionally, it is also recommended resetting Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and all the other installed browsers in order to prevent adware altered settings from continuing the unwanted activity on your device.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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