Removing software that causes redirects to smartresultsnow.net

What is smartresultsnow.net?

While inspecting browser hijackers, our research team discovered the smartresultsnow.net illegitimate search engine. These websites usually cannot generate search results, and while smartresultsnow.net is capable – its results are inaccurate and may contain dubious/harmful content.

Fake search engines are promoted by browser hijackers. This software alters browser settings in order to cause redirects to sites like smartresultsnow.net. Additionally, these websites and the software endorsing them – usually collect sensitive user data.

How do browser hijackers promote smartresultsnow.net?

Browser-hijacking software assigns the sites it promotes as browsers' default search engines, new tab/window URLs, and homepages. Therefore, with a hijacker promoting smartresultsnow.net installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – result in redirects to this website.

It is noteworthy that browser hijackers may be capable of restricting access to removal-related settings and/or undoing removal-related settings.

Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results and redirect to Bing, Yahoo, Google, and other legitimate ones. However, smartresultsnow.net can generate inaccurate search results, which may endorse irrelevant, untrustworthy, and even malicious content.

Furthermore, illegitimate search engines and browser hijackers typically gather information. Data of interest can include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. The collected data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software on the device can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	smartresultsnow.net 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	151.101.2.114
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).
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.

Fake search engine and browser hijacker examples

Searchresultsquickly.com, searchresultsfast.com, onlinesearchnow.com – are a few examples of illegitimate search engines, and Racing Cars Tab, Nature NewTab Extension, SearchIT New Tab – of browser hijackers.

Websites and software of this kind seldom appear suspicious. They tend to look legitimate and offer useful functionalities. However, they rarely work as advertised. Note that even if a piece of software or site operates as promised – that is not proof of its legitimacy or safety.

How did smartresultsnow.net promoting software install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can be bundled (packed together) with regular software. Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.

Browser hijackers can also have "official" promotional webpages, and they are pushed by scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects caused by spam browser notifications, websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Intrusive adverts proliferate browser-hijacking software as well. Some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations – upon being clicked.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is crucial to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. We advise downloading only from official and verified channels.

Furthermore, installation must be treated with caution. Therefore, it is important to read terms, inspect possible options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless, yet they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all dubious 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.

Appearance of the smartresultsnow.net redirect (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 smartresultsnow.net?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove smartresultsnow.net browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove smartresultsnow.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove smartresultsnow.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Smartresultsnow.net 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Smartresultsnow.net 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.smartresultsnow.net) 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 "smartresultsnow.net", 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 smartresultsnow.net 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://smartresultsnow.net 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 smartresultsnow.net 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 smartresultsnow.net 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit smartresultsnow.net website?

Redirects to websites like smartresultsnow.net are caused because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through them.

Is visiting smartresultsnow.net a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like smartresultsnow.net tend to gather (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used distribution methods include: deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, online scams, dubious download sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might not be ideal, especially in cases where multiple browser hijackers are present. In these instances, after one browser hijacker is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, this software might deny access to removal-related settings. Hence, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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