Smart PC Mechanic Unwanted Application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Smart PC Mechanic?
Developers present Smart PC Mechanic as a great tool to improve system performance. On initial inspection, Smart PC Mechanic may seem legitimate and useful, however, it is likely to infiltrate systems without consent and is practically useless for regular users. For these reasons, Smart PC Mechanic is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
Smart PC Mechanic provides a 'full system scan' function. After the scan, users are presented with many potential 'threats' and 'infections' that must be eliminated immediately. Smart PC Mechanic's free version is apparently unable to do this and so users are encouraged to purchase the 'full version'.
The full version provides no real value - it simply empties the aforementioned list in an attempt to make users believe that their systems are now "clean". You are advised to uninstall the Smart PC Mechanic PUP and not to pay for the full version. As mentioned, this app is likely to infiltrate systems without consent.
Therefore, there is a high probability that it came together with a number of other PUPs that generate intrusive advertisements (adware), cause unwanted redirects (browser hijackers), and record sensitive data (virtually all perform this function). These programs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety, and should be uninstalled.
Name | Smart PC Mechanic potentially unwanted program |
Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
Symptoms | A program that you don't recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. New application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about found issues. Asks for payment in order to eliminate the supposedly found errors. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
Damage | Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are a number of fake system optimization tools that share similarities with Smart PC Mechanic. The list of examples includes (but it is not limited to) System Healer, Dr. Clean Pro 2018, 1Click System Mechanic, and Win Tonic.
All claim to remove threats/viruses and enhance system performance, however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
The only purpose of all potentially unwanted programs is to generate revenue for the developers. These programs typically deliver no real value for regular users, cause unwanted redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements, gather sensitive information, and, sometimes, promote in-app purchases.
How did potentially unwanted programs install on my computer?
Smart PC Mechanic is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, this potentially unwanted program typically infiltrates systems without permission.
Research shows that developers proliferate Smart PC Mechanic using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", and the aforementioned intrusive advertisements. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software/apps. Developers do not disclose these installations properly.
All PUPs are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Intrusive ads redirect users to malicious websites and execute scripts that stealthily download and install malware. Furthermore, many users often rush these download/installation processes and skip steps.
In addition, they are likely to click various advertisements without understanding the possible consequences. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs such as Smart PC Mechanic - users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Select "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs. Opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them.
Download your programs from official sources only (via direct download links) rather than using third party downloaders/installers.
These tools are monetized using the "bundling" method (promoting PUPs), and thus using them is very risky. Intrusive advertisements often seem legitimate, but once clicked, redirect to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites.
If you encounter these advertisements, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUPs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Screenshot of Smart PC Mechanic PUP:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Smart PC Mechanic?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted programs:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look "Smart PC Mechanic" and other suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the smart pc mechanic potentially unwanted program, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the smart pc mechanic potentially unwanted program, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with smart pc mechanic potentially unwanted program removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the smart pc mechanic potentially unwanted program, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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