How to uninstall the SmartTravel adware from your operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SmartTravel?
SmartTravel is an adware-type application. Due to the questionable techniques used to distribute it, this piece of software is also classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).
SmartTravel is endorsed as a tool for easy access to information hosted on Wikitravel - a web-based collaborative travel guide. It must be emphasized that this rogue app is in no way associated with Wikimedia Foundation - the creators of Wikitravel.
SmartTravel adware overview
Adware displays pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, full-page, and other intrusive advertisements - on visited websites and/or different interfaces. These adverts decrease browsing quality and endanger device/user safety. They endorse unreliable and malicious sites. What is more, some intrusive ads can download/install software (e.g., PUAs) - once clicked.
SmartTravel likely has data tracking abilities. Adware and other PUAs can target - browsing activity, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, account usernames/passwords, etc. The collected information is monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by SmartTravel |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Supposed Functionality | Quick access to Wikitravel |
| Detection Names (installer) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (application) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Adware in general
Pureweb, Prime Dark, AdBlock Master, Domain Spam Validator are some examples of adware, and Infogram, WikiNow, ePedia, WeekiPedia - of this software disguised as Wikimedia-related content. Adware looks legitimate and offers "handy" functionalities, which are rarely operational.
This applies to nearly all PUAs. Instead of delivering on any promises, unwanted applications can run intrusive advertisement campaigns, force-open untrustworthy and malicious webpages, hijack browsers, and collect private information.
How did SmartTravel install on my computer?
Select PUAs (e.g., SmartTravel) have "official" promotional/download sites. Unwanted apps are also spread by using the "bundling" marketing tactic - packing regular programs with various additions. Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
Intrusive ads proliferate PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the advertisements can stealthily download/install these applications.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software and download from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all supplements. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If adverts/redirects of this kind are encountered, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed. If your computer is already infected with SmartTravel, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
SmartTravel adware installation setup:
Website used to promote SmartTravel 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 SmartTravel?
- STEP 1. Uninstall SmartTravel application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove SmartTravel ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by SmartTravel' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove SmartTravel extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
SmartTravel 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 "SmartTravel", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes SmartTravel ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove SmartTravel adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, SmartTravel did not install its browser plug-ins on Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by smarttravel, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by smarttravel 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 smarttravel, 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can decrease browsing quality and system performance. This software typically has data tracking abilities, thereby making it a privacy threat. What is more, adware-delivered adverts commonly promote unreliable/malicious content (e.g., websites, apps, etc.) that can cause other serious problems.
What does adware do?
Advertising-supported software (or adware) operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. In other words, it displays various ads on visited websites and/or different interfaces.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue mostly through affiliate programs by endorsing websites, applications, products, etc. The developers of this software may get commission from ad clicks, site visits, file downloads, product purchases, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove SmartTravel adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating installed adware-type apps. Note that manual removal might not be ideal, as various file leftovers may remain hidden in the system - even after the software itself is eliminated. Furthermore, the remaining components can continue running and causing issues.
Outstanding!
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