Searchsmarters.online Browser Hijacker Removal Guide

Searchsmarters.online Browser Hijacker Summary

THREAT NAME	Smart Search or searchsmarters.online
THREAT TYPE	Adware, Browser Hijacker, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP)
AFFECTED BROWSER SETTINGS	Homepage, New Tab Homepage and Default Search Engine
DISTRIBUTION METHOD	Bundled software distribution, malicious websites, pop-ups, banner ad and fake Windows update prompts
SYMPTOMS	Intrusive pop-up ads, advertisement banners, desktop notifications from the website even when the browser is closed, suspicious browser extensions are installed without permission, browser settings are changed such as the home page and search engine without permission
REMOVAL	Scan the whole system with iolo System Mechanic all-in-one anti-virus tool or other virus removal tool or manually remove website permissions through the settings in the browser. You can also manually uninstall PUP’s.

Given the fact that searchsmarters.online is a minor risk in comparison to infections that may completely destroy computers and steal financial or personal information, this threat should be addressed immediately. If not addressed, searchsmarters.online will only be the start of a succession of more significant issues.

How to Avoid Browser Hijacker Infections?

To avoid getting infected with searchsmarters.online or any other internet threat, although the internet is free, there are a few things you should not do. If you wish to be rid of searchsmarters.online, you should avoid the following internet browsing behaviors.

Avoid Installing Pirated Applications

Using a fake app is another way for hackers to gain access to a victim’s computer. They’ll make the app seem just like the original, with the same color scheme, typefaces, and branding, making it tough to determine the two apart. As a result, you should avoid downloading and installing illegal software from untrustworthy sources.

Avoid Clicking on Any Ads

Clicking on an untrustworthy ad or notification opens your machine up to being infected with malware. When you click “Allow” on Searchsmarters.online notification, your browsers will be hacked and your homepage, default search engine, and more will be changed.

Read the Installation Agreement Carefully

The technique of integrating multiple apps into a single installation package is referred to as “software bundling.” This method is employed by legitimate programs as well, so carefully read the installation agreement and decline to install anything that asks for your consent.

To give an example, here is how a software bundling tactic may appear:

As seen in the samples, by default, the bundled application has a checkbox next to it, suggesting that it will be installed immediately when you click next. That is why you must review the installation agreement attentively.

Searchsmarters.online Removal Guide (Automatic and Manual Ways)

You’ve come to the right place if you’ve discovered that Searchsmarters.online has taken over your computer. Today, we’ll show you how to eliminate Searchsmarters.online as well as other cyber threats from your system using the most effective methods available.

Automatically Remove the Searchsmarters.online Browser Hijacker with iolo System Mechanic

If you don’t have the time or don’t want to deal with the hassle of troubleshooting, you may always utilize an automatic removal tool like iolo System Mechanic. It not only protects your computer from online threats by automatically eliminating malware and viruses, but it also optimizes it.

iolo System Mechanic will update your drivers automatically, guaranteeing that they are current and reducing the chance of Windows problems due to faulty or old drivers.

Steps and Guide on How to Manually Remove the Searchsmarters.online Ads

• Remove Searchsmarters.online from Windows OS
• Remove Searchsmarters.online from MAC OS

Uninstall and Remove Searchsmarters.online From Windows

Step 1 – Press down the “Windows” key and press the letter “R” on the keyboard to bring up the “Run” window and type in “appwiz.cpl”.

Step 2 – In the “Uninstall or Change a Program” screen, look for all the items that are listed and installed without your permission and simply click on “Uninstall” to permanently remove them from the computer and follow the prompts.

Removing the Searchsmarters.online From Windows Shortcuts

Step 1 – Right-click on your browser icon and then — left-click on its properties.

Step 2 – In the properties, click the “Shortcut” tab and delete the line (it might be Searchsmarters.online or any other malicious webpage) after the “.exe”. and click “Apply” and “Ok”.

You can perform the same steps for any other browser icon/shortcuts like Internet Explorer, Chrome, Edge, etc. Just take note that the shortcuts for the browsers may not be on the desktop.

Uninstalling Searchsmarters.online From MAC Operating System

Step 1 – On the menu bar, click “Go” and select “Applications”.

Step 2 – In the “Applications” window, look for all files that relate to Searchsmarters.online and drag the icon to the trash.

In order for Mac OS users to remove the Searchsmarters.online toolbar, go to the following folders and delete all entries that relate to the Searchsmarters.online Toolbar: Application Support, LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons.

Manual Steps to Disable Searchsmarters.online Notifications From Popular Browsers

• Steps for Google Chrome (Windows);
• Steps for Mozilla Firefox;
• Steps for Internet Explorer;
• Steps for MS Edge;
• Steps for Google Chrome (Android);
• Steps for Safari (MAC);

Searchsmarters.online Notification Disable For Google Chrome (Windows)

Step 1 – Click on the three dots to access the menu button on the upper right corner of Chrome and click “Settings”.

Step 2 – Click on “Privacy and Security”, click “Site Settings” and then click “Notifications”.

Step 3 – Click the three dots located on the right side of the intrusive website and select “Remove” or “Block”.

Disabling Searchsmarters.online Notification For Mozilla Firefox

Step 1 – Click the menu or three bars located on the upper right corner of Firefox and click “Options”.

Step 2 – In the Options window, select “Privacy & Security”.

Step 3 – Click on the “Permission” section by scrolling down to the bottom part of the page and click “Settings” next to “Notifications”.

Step 4 – In the notifications settings, click on the suspicious website and click the drop-down option and select “Block” and “Save Changes”.

Disabling Searchsmarters.online Notification For Internet Explorer

Step 1 – Click the Gear on the upper right corner of Internet Explorer and click “Internet Options”.

Step 2 – In Internet Options, click “Privacy” and click “Settings”.

Step 3 – Click on all the suspicious websites that are listed and remove them by clicking “Remove”.

Disabling Searchsmarters.online Notification For Microsoft Edge

Step 1 – Click the three dots on the upper right corner of MS Edge and click “Settings”.

Step 2 – Click “Advanced” and click on “Manage Permissions”.

Step 3 – Click on the “X” button right next to the suspicious website to remove it.

Disabling Searchsmarters.online Notification For Google Chrome (on Android)

Step 1 – Tap the three dots to access the menu and tap “Settings”.

Step 2 – Tap “Notifications” in the settings menu.

Step 3 – Look for suspicious websites and tap on the radio buttons right next to them. Please note that the “blue” button means it’s enabled and “grey” means it’s disabled.

Disabling Searchsmarters.online Notification For Safari (Mac)

Step 1 – Click the “Safari” icon and click “Preferences”

Step 2 – Click on the “Websites” tab and select “Notifications”

Step 3 – On the right side of the suspicious website, click on the “Arrow” and click “Deny”.

Manual Steps To Completely Delete and Uninstall Searchsmarters.online Extensions From Popular Browsers

• Remove Searchsmarters.online from Google Chrome;
• Remove Searchsmarters.online from Mozilla Firefox;
• Uninstall Searchsmarters.online from Safari;
• Uninstall Searchsmarters.online from Edge;
• Remove Searchsmarters.online from Internet Explorer.

Removing Searchsmarters.online Extension from Google Chrome

Step 1 – Click the Three Dots on the upper right corner of Chrome to access the “menu” and click “More Tools” and “Extensions”.

Step 2 – Look for all unknown extensions and remove them by click “Remove”.

Optional Method: Resetting Chrome to Default Settings

Step 1 – Open the Chrome menu and click on “Settings” and click “Advanced”.

Step 2 – Click the “Restore Settings to Their Original Defaults” and click “Reset Settings” to confirm in the Advanced Options in Chrome.

Removing Searchsmarters.online Extension From Mozilla Firefox

Step 1 – Click the Three Bars located on the upper right corner of Firefox and click “Add-ons”.

Step 2 – Click on “Extensions” on the next window and look for all suspicious add-ons and click the 3 dots right next to it and click “Remove”.

Optional Method: Resetting Firefox to Default Settings

Step 1 – Open the menu in Firefox and click “Help” and then click on “Troubleshooting Information”.

Step 2 – In the Troubleshooting Information screen, click on “Refresh Firefox” and click “Refresh Firefox” to confirm.

Eliminating Searchsmarters.online Extension from Safari (Mac)

Step 1 – Click the “Safari” button located on the upper left corner and click on “Preferences”.

Step 2 – In the preferences window, click “Extensions” and uninstall all suspicious extensions.

Optional Method: Resetting Safari to Default Settings

Step 1 – Click the “Safari” button and click “Clear History and Website Data”. Select “All History” and click “Clear History” to confirm.

Deleting Searchsmarters.online Extension From Microsoft Edge

Step 1 – Open the menu by clicking the three dots on the upper right corner of MS Edge and click “Extension”.

Step 2 – In the next window, uninstall all suspicious extensions by clicking on it and clicking on “Uninstall”. Click “OK” to confirm.

Optional Method: Resetting Microsoft Edge to Default Settings

Step 1 – Open the menu by clicking the three dots in MS Edge and click “Settings”.

Step 2 – Click “Reset Settings” then click “Restore Settings to Their Default Values” and then click “Reset”.

Uninstalling Searchsmarters.online Extension from Internet Explorer

Step 1 – Click the gear button on the upper right side of the browser and click on “Manage Add-ons”.

Step 2 – Click the “Toolbars and Extensions” and click on all the add-ons that do not look familiar to you and click “Disable”.

Resetting Internet Explorer to Default Settings

The steps on resetting the settings in Internet Explorer on all versions of the Windows Operating System are similar. Below are the steps:

Step 1 – Open the Internet Explorer menu by clicking the gear icon on Internet Explorer and click on “Internet Options”

Step 2 – In the Internet Options window, click the “Advanced” tab and click on “Reset” to confirm.

Final Words

Yes, Searchsmarters.online can be easily avoided and removed, but it’s far preferable to prevent getting infected in the first place. iolo System Mechanic is an excellent anti-virus program to have installed on your computer if you want to be safe while using the internet.