Removing software that causes redirects to smartsearchresults.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is smartsearchresults.com?
While researching rogue software, we found the smartsearchresults.com fake search engine. It can generate search results that are inaccurate and contain dubious/malicious advertisements.
Websites of this kind are promoted by browser-hijacking software, which changes browser settings to cause redirects to their search engines. Furthermore, both sites like smartsearchresults.com and browser hijackers are known to collect sensitive data.
How do browser hijackers promote smartsearchresults.com?
Browser hijackers reassign browsers' default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window to URLs - to sites like smartsearchresults.com. Therefore, when new browser tabs/windows are opened or Web searches are performed via the URL bar - it results in redirects to illegitimate search engines.
This software also uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers. Browser hijackers can restrict access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes.
Smartsearchresults.com is capable of generating search results, which is uncommon for fake search engines. However, the provided search results are inaccurate, and they are full of advertisements promoting misleading, deceptive, and malicious material.
Additionally, smartsearchresults.com can deliver browser notification spam. These adverts push likewise unreliable and harmful content.
As mentioned in the introduction, both fraudulent search engines and browser hijackers gather private information. Targeted data typically includes URLs visited, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking information, etc. The collected data is monetized via sale to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
Name | smartsearchresults.com browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address | 151.101.70.114 |
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. |
Fake search engine and browser hijacker examples
We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers and fake search engines; Mondy Search, Get Colors, Tail Web, Quick Site - are some examples of the former, and travelsearchexpert.com, indresultsnow.co, activesearchbar.me, searcheq.com - of the latter.
These websites and software products usually appear legitimate and offer "handy" features. However, these functionalities seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.
How did smartsearchresults.com promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser-hijacking software as well. Some of these ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent - upon being clicked.
Browser hijackers can also have "official" promotional pages, and they are endorsed by scam sites. Most users enter these webpages through mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official and verified channels. Installation processes must be approached with caution. Therefore, we advise reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing since illegitimate and malicious content usually looks harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements appear legitimate yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).
If you experience such advertisements/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Screenshots of browser notifications/ advertisements delivered by smartsearchresults.com:
Appearance of smartsearchresults.com (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:
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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 smartsearchresults.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove smartsearchresults.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove smartsearchresults.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove smartsearchresults.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
smartsearchresults.com redirect 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the smartsearchresults.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
smartsearchresults.com redirect removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.smartsearchresults.com) 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 "smartsearchresults.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the smartsearchresults.com browser hijacker, 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://smartsearchresults.com 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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
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 smartsearchresults.com browser hijacker 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 smartsearchresults.com browser hijacker, 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on smartsearchresults.com browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit smartsearchresults.com website?
Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue via redirects to smartsearchresults.com and similar websites.
Is visiting smartsearchresults.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Fake search engines like smartsearchresults.com typically collect information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are mainly distributed through misleading promotional webpages, software bundling, freeware and third-party download websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be a perfect solution when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. Since when one is removed - the others might re-install it. Additional, removal-related settings may be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software present. Hence, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
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