How to eliminate the Smiley Pop Search browser hijacker

What kind of software is Smiley Pop Search?

Smiley Pop Search is a browser extension that displays smileys/emojis whenever a search query is entered. However, after examining Smiley Pop Search – we determined that it is browser-hijacking software. This extension makes changes to browser settings in order to generate redirects.

Smiley Pop Search browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites. Smiley Pop Search also makes these alterations.

With a browser extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – result in redirects to the endorsed site. Typically, software within this classification pushes fake search engines in this fashion.

These illegitimate webpages cannot generate search results, so they land on genuine search engines. However, Smiley Pop Search redirected straight to Bing (bing.com) without an intermediary. It is noteworthy that this extension could cause different redirects, as they may be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

Browser-hijacking software often utilizes persistence-ensuring mechanisms to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Furthermore, Smiley Pop Search likely has data-tracking abilities. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like Smiley Pop Search on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Smiley Pop Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Smiley Pop Search
Supposed Functionality	Displaying smileys upon entering search queries
Promoted URL	bing.com
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).
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; Escape the Alien Extension, The Vegan Advice, Galaxy Tab, Traveling Tab – are merely some examples. This software typically appears legitimate and harmless. It entices users into download/installation by promising various functionalities. However, these functions are rarely operational.

It must be stressed that even if a piece of software works as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Smiley Pop Search install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are pushed through "official" promotional pages and deceptive/scam websites. Users primarily enter these webpages via redirects generated by mistyped URLs, sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements may look innocuous – yet they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

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

Permissions asked by Smiley Pop Search browser hijacker:

Appearance of Smiley Pop Search browser hijacker redirecting to the Bing 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 Smiley Pop Search?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Smiley Pop Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove bing.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove rogue redirects from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Smiley Pop Search 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, 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.

Smiley Pop Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Smiley Pop Search 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Smiley Pop Search" and other 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 "Smiley Pop Search", look for the promoted URL (hxxp://www.bing.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 "bing.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 smiley pop search 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 extensions 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 "Smiley Pop Search", as well as 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 "Smiley Pop Search", remove hxxp://bing.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 smiley pop search 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 smiley pop search 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 bing.com website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) profit through redirects. In cases where the promoted content is genuine, the endorsement is undertaken by criminals with the goal of acquiring illegitimate commissions through the abuse of the website's affiliate programs.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution methods include: deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Smiley Pop Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without the aid of security tools) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings or undo user-made changes. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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