Removing Keep It Smart browser hijacker and the redirects it causes

What is Keep It Smart?

Our research team found the Keep It Smart browser extension while inspecting dubious download sites. Our analysis of this piece of software revealed that it is a browser hijacker promoting the keepitsmart.today fake search engine.

Keep It Smart browser hijacker overview

Keep It Smart promotes keepitsmart.today by causing redirects to it. Browser-hijacking software achieves this by making modifications to browser settings. With Keep It Smart installed onto our test machine, every new browser tab/window we opened and search query we typed into the URL bar - resulted in a redirect to the keepitsmart.today website.

Fraudulent search engines usually redirect to legitimate ones - since they are unable to provide search results. We observed keepitsmart.today redirecting to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com). However, it might land elsewhere as redirects can depend on various factors (e.g., user geolocation, etc.).

Additionally, Keep It Smart uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.

What is more, this extension has data tracking abilities. Targeted information can include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, and so forth. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of software like Keep It Smart on browsers/systems can result in severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Keep It Smart
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Keep It Smart
Promoted URL	keepitsmart.today
Detection Names (keepitsmart.today)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (keepitsmart.today)	172.67.137.245
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

Browser hijacker examples

We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; Quick Baro, Cool Search, and Cricket Start are just a few examples. Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers "handy" features. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

How did Keep It Smart install on my computer?

We acquired Keep It Smart from a suspicious download page. Browser hijackers are commonly promoted through dubious download webpages and scam sites. Most users enter these websites via redirects caused by pages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser-hijacking software as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.

Browser hijackers can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Download from dubious sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend downloading only from official and verified sources. Additionally, installation processes must be approached with care, which includes reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplements.

We advise being vigilant when browsing since illegitimate and malicious content typically appears innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts look legitimate/harmless yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Keep It Smart, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Websites promoting the Keep It Smart browser hijacker:

Appearance of keepitsmart.today redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner 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 Keep It Smart?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Keep It Smart application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Keep It Smart browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove keepitsmart.today homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove keepitsmart.today redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Keep It Smart browser hijacker 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 any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Keep It Smart"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the keepitsmart.today website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Keep It Smart browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Keep It Smart browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

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 "Keep It Smart" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Keep It Smart" (or "Secure"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.keepitsmart.today) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "keepitsmart.today", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the keepitsmart.today redirect, 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" and remove "Keep It Smart", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "Keep It Smart", remove hxxp://keepitsmart.today and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with keepitsmart.today redirect 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the keepitsmart.today redirect, 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:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit keepitsmart.today website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to sites like keepitsmart.today.

Is visiting keepitsmart.today a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like keepitsmart.today usually collect (and sell) data about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily spread via misleading promotional webpages, online scams, software bundling, untrustworthy download channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), fake updaters, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Keep It Smart browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate all the browser-hijacking apps present. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be the perfect solution, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. Since when one browser hijacker is removed - the others might re-install it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may be capable of restricting access to browser settings or undoing user-made changes. Hence, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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