How to remove SmartSearch browser hijacker

Imagine you download a free video editing tool from an untrusted site, and along with it comes the SmartSearch browser hijacker. Suddenly, your homepage changes to an unfamiliar search page, and you’re bombarded with intrusive ads, pop-ups, and redirects to suspicious websites.

 

What is the SmartSearch browser hijacker?

SmartSearch is a browser extension that modifies your settings and redirects your searches to promoted — often fake — search engines. It can monitor your browsing activity, apply administrative restrictions to make removal harder, and put you at risk of privacy violations, financial loss, or even identity theft. This hijacker is typically bundled with free software or disguised within misleading ads, so users install it without realizing. Because it uses persistence techniques, manual removal can be tricky and may require resetting your browser or using security tools.

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Beyond changing your search engine, SmartSearch can harvest sensitive information, which leaves you exposed to further cyberattacks. Identifying and removing it early is crucial to protect both your data and your device.

Why am I seeing SmartSearch in my browser?

If SmartSearch has taken over, it means your system has been infected with a browser hijacker. There are several common ways it can get in:

• Software bundling: SmartSearch is often packaged with free programs. If you rush through installation and don’t review the extra components, you may unknowingly allow it in.
• Deceptive ads: Fake update prompts or security alerts may trick you into downloading malicious software.
• Browser extensions: Even in official extension stores, malicious add-ons sometimes slip through and alter your browser without clear consent.
• Exploiting outdated software: Vulnerabilities in old browsers or plugins can allow “drive-by” downloads — simply visiting a compromised site may silently install the hijacker.

How to remove the SmartSearch hijacker

Getting rid of SmartSearch usually requires checking your installed programs, removing suspicious browser extensions, and resetting your browser’s settings to default. Keeping your system and browser updated is also essential to close security gaps and prevent reinfection.

1.Manual Removal Guide for SmartSearch Browser Hijacker

1. Uninstall Suspicious Programs

Windows:

– Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
– Look through the list of installed programs.
– Uninstall any software you don’t recognize or that was installed right before the problem started.

Mac (macOS):

– Open Finder → Applications.
– Drag suspicious apps to the Trash.
– Empty the Trash afterwards.

2. Remove Unwanted Browser Extensions

Google Chrome / Microsoft Edge:

– Open the browser.
– Go to Menu (⋮) → Extensions → Manage Extensions.
– Disable or remove any unfamiliar extensions.

Mozilla Firefox:

– Open Firefox.
– Go to Menu (☰) → Add-ons and themes → Extensions.
– Remove suspicious extensions.

3. Reset Browser Settings

Chrome / Edge:

– Go to Settings → Reset settings.
– Choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
– Confirm with Reset.

Firefox:

– Open Menu (☰) → Help → More troubleshooting information.
– Click Refresh Firefox.

4. Fix Shortcuts (Windows only)

– Right-click your browser’s desktop shortcut → Properties.
– In the Target field, make sure it ends only with chrome.exe or firefox.exe.
– Remove anything extra after .exe (like strange URLs).

5. Clear Cache and Site Data

– Open your browser’s Settings → Privacy / Clear browsing data.
– Delete cached files, cookies, and site data to remove leftover hijacker traces.

6. Check System Settings

Hosts file (Windows):

– Press Win + R, type: notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
– The file should normally only have lines starting with # and one ‘127.0.0.1 localhost’.
– Delete any suspicious entries.

Startup programs:

– Windows: open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) → Startup tab → disable unknown entries.
– Mac: go to System Settings → General → Login Items → remove suspicious apps.

7. Prevent Reinfection

– Keep your browser and operating system updated.
– Avoid downloading software from unverified sources.
– Always check custom installation options to deselect extra offers.

Offers

Download Removal Toolto scan for SmartSearchUse our recommended removal tool to scan for SmartSearch. Trial version of provides detection of computer threats like SmartSearch and assists in its removal for FREE. You can delete detected registry entries, files and processes yourself or purchase a full version.

More information about SpyWarrior and Uninstall Instructions. Please review SpyWarrior EULA and Privacy Policy. SpyWarrior scanner is free. If it detects a malware, purchase its full version to remove it.

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  While the creators of MalwareBytes anti-malware have not been in this business for long time, they make up for it with their enthusiastic approach. Statistic from such websites like CNET shows that th ...

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Quick Menu

Step 1. Uninstall SmartSearch and related programs.

• Windows 8
• Windows 7
• Windows XP
• Mac OS

Remove SmartSearch from Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel choose Programs and Features and select to Uninstall a software.

Uninstall SmartSearch from Windows 7

Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall a program.

Delete SmartSearch from Windows XP

Click Start → Settings → Control Panel. Locate and click → Add or Remove Programs.

Remove SmartSearch from Mac OS X

Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for SmartSearch or any other suspicious software. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash, then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

Step 2. Delete SmartSearch from your browsers

• Internet Explorer
• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari

Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer

1. Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons.
2. Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe)
3. Leave the window.

Change Internet Explorer homepage if it was changed by virus:

1. Tap the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of your browser and click Internet Options.
2. In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes.

Reset your browser

1. Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options.
2. Open the Advanced tab and press Reset.
3. Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time.
4. Tap Close and leave your browser.
5. If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.

Erase SmartSearch from Google Chrome

1. Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings.
2. Choose Extensions.
3. Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them.
4. If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily.

Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus

1. Press on menu icon and click Settings.
2. Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages.
3. In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
4. Under the Search section choose Manage Search engines. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search websites. You should leave only Google or your preferred search name.
   

Reset your browser

1. If the browser still does not work the way you prefer, you can reset its settings.
2. Open menu and navigate to Settings.
3. Press Reset button at the end of the page.
4. Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box.
5. If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.

Remove SmartSearch from Mozilla Firefox

1. In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously).
2. Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries.

Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:

1. Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options.
2. On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
3. Press OK to save these changes.

Reset your browser

1. Open the menu and tap Help button.
2. Select Troubleshooting Information.
3. Press Refresh Firefox.
4. In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more.
5. If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.

Uninstall SmartSearch from Safari (Mac OS X)

1. Access the menu.
2. Pick Preferences.
3. Go to the Extensions Tab.
4. Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable SmartSearch and get rid of all the other unknown entries as well. If you are unsure whether the extension is reliable or not, simply uncheck the Enable box in order to disable it temporarily.
5. Restart Safari.

Reset your browser

1. Tap the menu icon and choose Reset Safari.
2. Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset.
3. If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.

 

 

 

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