How to remove Smart Blocker adware and the ads it delivers?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Smart Blocker?
Smart Blocker is a rogue browser extension promoted as an ad-blocking tool (adblock). It specifically promises to block adverts on online videos. This piece of software operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it delivers various misleading, unreliable, and even malicious ads.
Due to this, Smart Blocker is classified as adware. Additionally, this browser extension spies on users' browsing habits and collects sensitive information. Since most users download/install adware-type products unintentionally, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content - typically on any visited website. Software within this classification can deliver pop-ups, surveys, coupons, banners, full-page, and other intrusive advertisements. They severely cripple the browser experience by overlaying pages and slowing down the browsing speed.
Furthermore, intrusive advertisements are considered to be dangerous. These adverts promote various untrustworthy, sale-oriented, rogue, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious sites.
Some intrusive ads can even be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts designed to stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs). As mentioned in the introduction, Smart Blocker has data tracking abilities, which is common for adware.
Information of interest includes (but is not limited to): URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses/ geolocations, and personally identifiable details. Adware developers monetize the gathered data by sharing it with and/or selling it to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, financial losses, serious privacy issues, and identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, it is crucial to remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by Smart Blocker |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | Smart Blocker |
| Supposed Functionality | Adblock |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Browser Inverter Utility, Whiz Reader, Free Xbox Codes 2021- Xbox Gift card codes, Retina Defense, and Coupon Printer are some examples of adware. This software usually appears legitimate and useful. It also tends to offer a wide variety of functionalities.
However, despite how good the promised features may sound - they are rarely operational. In fact, this applies to practically all PUAs. The only goal of unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers; hence, functionality and user privacy are irrelevant.
PUAs operate by delivering intrusive advert campaigns, force-opening unreliable and malicious websites, hijacking browsers, and gathering private information.
How did Smart Blocker install on my computer?
Select PUAs (e.g., Smart Blocker) have "official" promotional/download pages. These applications are also distributed via download/installation setups of other products.
This false marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive adverts are used to spread PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research products before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and verified sources.
Since dubious download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer bundled and/or harmful content. When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, etc.
Intrusive ads appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to various questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, and so forth). In case of encounters with such advertisements and/or redirects, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay.
If your computer is already infected with Smart Blocker, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshots of the websites used to promote Smart Blocker adware:
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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Quick menu:
- What is Smart Blocker?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Smart Blocker application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Smart Blocker ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Smart Blocker' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Smart Blocker extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove Smart Blocker adware from Internet Explorer.
Smart Blocker adware removal:
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 for "Smart Blocker", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Smart Blocker ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Smart Blocker adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 "Smart Blocker", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by smart blocker, 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 plugins 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 "Smart Blocker".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by smart blocker 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 ads by smart blocker, 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.
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 "Smart Blocker", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by smart blocker, 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.
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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Outstanding!
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