How to remove The Smart Search
This article is dedicated to help you to get rid of the annoying browser hijacker called The Smart Search. You'll find the full description of The Smart Search, explanation of its infection methods, weak spots and techniques to remove it easily. Each step of removal process is detailed, with screenshots and videos.
The Smart Search belongs to the advertising programs type, called browser hijackers. It is designed to infiltrate a user's computer and change the settings of his browser. Changes subject to settings such as the home page, default search engine, as well as some security settings are responsible for the pop-ups and advertisements. Hijacker changes all these parameters so that the user opening a browser window or a new tab, constantly sees the site of The Smart Search, and could carry only surfing the web with it.
This is done in order to earn money from advertising. Many people know that advertising can be paid both in the number of impressions of an advertising banner, and the number of clicks on the link. The Smart Search advertising fills the user browser, showing him at the same time 4-5 banners, pop-ups and a few links in the hope that the user clicks on one of them. Either way, the user will have to do it as banners almost cover the entire screen, and they need to be closed somehow. So, if a user wanted to go to the site or not, no one cares, the main thing is the click. In fact, the user is converted into a pawn in the hands of cyber-criminals, and they make him feel uncomfortable when web surfing, and clog his computer with useless and malicious programs until The Smart Search will be deleted.
How to remove The Smart Search manually
You can remove The Smart Search from your computer manually, or by using an anti-virus program, a link to which is provided above. Both methods are equally reliable and effective, but the anti-virus will remain on your computer after the removal of the virus, and will help you to further protect your computer from unwanted software. If you for some reason do not wish to purchase an anti-virus - we have prepared the detailed instructions for manual removal.
Deleting from Windows 7
1. Uninstall The Smart Search from Control Panel (Control Panel - Uninstall a program - Uninstall The Smart Search)
2. Delete folders
- %LocalAppdata%\TheSmartSearch
3. Remove next registry keys
- HKU\SOFTWARE\TheSmartSearch
Removing from Windows 8
1. Point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and tap Search.
2. Enter control panel in the search box, and then click Control Panel.
3. Under View by:, select Large Icons, and then click Programs and features.
4. Click the program, and then click Uninstall.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.
6. Uninstall The Smart Search from Control Panel (Control Panel - Uninstall a program - Uninstall The Smart Search)
7. Remove folders and registry keys like on Win7.
How to delete The Smart Search from browser
The removal from browser is an important part of the whole removal process. It must be performed after the deletion from Control panel, to ensure the deletion of The Smart Search hijacker. Actually, it's not even the deletion, because hijackers don't imbue themselves in browsers. Instead of it, they change the browser's settings, homepage and search engine, to make user visit the main website of the hijacker as frequent as possible. So, all you need to do reset the browser, and turn its settings to default state.
How to uninstall The Smart Search from Mozilla Firefox
Delete add-on:
Tools - Add-ons - Remove The Smart Search
Homepage:
Tools - Options - General - Put “about:blank” into homepage field
To change new tab:
- Put “about:config” into address bar;
- Confirm the suggestion;
- Search for “browser.newtab.url”;
- Reset this field (right-click and choose reset).
How to uninstall The Smart Search from Internet Explorer
Disable add-on:
Tools - Manage add-ons - Remove The Smart Search
Change homepage:
Tools - Internet Options - General - Home page - Put “about:blank”
To change new tab:
Tools - Internet Options - General -Tabs
How to delete The Smart Search from Google Chrome
Remove add-on:
Customize and Control Google Chrome - Tools - Extensions - Remove The Smart Search
Change homepage:
Customize and Control Google Chrome - Settings - On startup-Set pages- Put “about:blank”
How to delete The Smart Search from Safari
Open Safari browser
Display a menu of General Safari Settings - Reset Safari... - Press "Reset"
How to delete The Smart Search from Opera
Disable add-on:
Open Opera browser - Customize and Control Opera - Extensions - Choose The Smart Search and press button "Remove from Opera"
Change homepage:
Start Opera - Customize and Control Opera - Settings - On Startup - Open a specific page or set of pages - Press button "Set pages" and change Homepage to your favorite one
The Smart Search video removal guide
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How The Smart Search infects computer and why it is harmful?
To understand how to protect your computer from The Smart Search, you should know how it gets into the system. Advertising programs usually have only three ways of penetration: direct download, when the user decides to install an advertising program, penetration via spam e-mail and "affiliate" installation. With regard to the first method, we can say that before you download any program, you should examine its functions carefully, and think about whether they are useful. If the description of functions is vague, and their effectiveness cannot be checked - the program is likely unreliable. Spam e-mail becomes not effective at the moment when the user ceases to open all letters received indiscriminately. In order not to be deceived, before opening the letter, check the sender's address and the letter itself with your antivirus software. The third way is to attach the virus installation files to the installation files of useful programs. This method only works if the user is accustomed to pass a licensing agreement and all other windows that arise during installation, without reading what is written in them. Then the user simply accepts the installation of unwanted software, and then cannot figure out where it came from. To protect yourself from the majority of promotional programs and some viruses you need just a little attention.
But if you although managed to install deleterious soft or extension, don't hang back to go to our website and search the info concerning this. In case it's really malicious or worrisome - you are sure to get a full surway and a simple erasing guide for adware. Our testers are always willing to succor users to have users PC free from adwares, your surfing handy also free of issues and private data protected of the third people ingress. Bye!
Published by KateRealta
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