Smartmediaconverter Virus
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Smartmediaconverter?
Created by Howard Software Ltd ("Applon"), the Smartmediaconverter app is a professional audio file converter for Windows. While the functionality of this app may seem legitimate, be aware that Smartmediaconverter is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application.
The developers of this app employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', thus, most computer users install this program inadvertently without their consent. Following successful infiltration, Smartmediaconverter generates intrusive banner, interstitial, full-screen, and text link ads.
Furthermore, this app records various software and hardware information including, for example, operating system type, Internet service provider (ISP), IP and MAC addresses, browser type, web pages visited, etc.
While this software is not a virus or malware, its presence on your system can lead to malware infections and privacy issues. Therefore, you are advised to eliminate Smartmediaconverter from your Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox).
At time of research, this potentially unwanted application was distributed using freeware downloads (via deceptive free software 'download clients') and fake downloads (via fake Java updates, browser updates, etc.)
Smartmediaconverter is similar to other adware, which infiltrates browsers through free software downloads including, for example, Remarkable, DealsFox, Media Buzz, and Rich Media View.
These applications install on users' Internet browsers when downloading or installing free software, and while they promise to enhance Internet browsing by adding various useful features, in fact, they add no real value. The purpose of these potential unwanted programs (PUPs) is to generate revenue from intrusive ads and user tracking.
To avoid installation of such adware, be attentive when downloading and installing freeware. When downloading free software, inspect each step and decline installation of any advertised browser extensions.
When installing downloaded free programs, choose the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any bundled adware listed for installation. Computer users who observe ads generated by Smartmediaconverter should use this removal guide to eliminate adware from their Internet browser/s.
Free software installer used in Smartmediaconverter adware distribution:
Intrusive online advertisements generated by Smartmediaconverter:
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Quick menu:
- What is Smartmediaconverter?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Smartmediaconverter application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Smartmediaconverter plug-in from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Smartmediaconverter add-on from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Smartmediaconverter extension from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Smartmediaconverter extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Smartmediaconverter 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 "SmartMediaConverter", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Smartmediaconverter ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Smartmediaconverter from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "Smartmediaconverter", select this entry and click "Remove". At time of testing, this potentially unwanted application installed with other adware, therefore, inspect all installed browser plug-ins and remove any which look suspicious. Note that by default there should be no browser extensions installed on Internet Explorer.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by smartmediaconverter, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: "Smartmediaconverter", select this entry and click the trash can icon. At time of testing, this potentially unwanted application installed with other adware, therefore, inspect all installed browser plug-ins and remove any which look suspicious. Note that by default there should be no browser extensions installed on Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by smartmediaconverter, 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 "Smartmediaconverter". At time of testing, this potentially unwanted application installed with other adware, therefore, inspect all installed browser plug-ins and remove any which look suspicious. Note that by default, there should be no browser extensions installed on Mozilla Firefox.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by smartmediaconverter 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 smartmediaconverter, 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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