SmartWeb Ads

What is SmartWeb?

Created by SoftBrain Technologies Ltd, the SmartWeb browser add-on claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience by displaying coupon ads when users visit online shopping websites. While this functionality may seem legitimate, be aware that the SmartWeb add-on is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application.

This plug-in infiltrates browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) through free software downloads using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. SmartWeb also causes diminished browser performance and intrusive ads.

At time of research, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) was distributed using various free software 'download clients' via fake downloads such as Internet browser updates, hacking tools, etc.

After successful infiltration, SmartWeb generates coupon and full screen pop-up ads and tracks users' Internet browsing activity by recording IP addresses, URLs of websites visited, general browser and operating system details, product information as extracted from the product HTML page, and other software and hardware information.

If you observe SmartWeb coupon ads when surfing the Internet, your browsers are infiltrated with SmartWeb adware, and therefore, you are advised to eliminate this software from your computer.

The SmartWeb browser extension is similar to other adware that infiltrates browsers using free software downloads. Examples include PassWizard, Coupon Amazing, All Day Savings, and HypeNet. These browser plug-ins add no real value and often cause serious malware infections and privacy issues.

To avoid installation of SmartWeb, or other potentially unwanted applications, express caution when downloading and installing freeware. Today, most free software download websites employ 'download clients' - small programs offering installation of advertised browser extensions together with the chosen free software.

Thus, reckless freeware downloading can result in adware infections. When downloading free software, check each step and decline installation of any promoted browser plug-ins. Internet users who observe SmartWeb ads whilst surfing the Internet, should use this removal guide to eliminate this adware from their computers.

Deceptive free software installers used in SmartWeb adware distribution:

SmartWeb adware generating intrusive online ads ('Powered by SmartWeb'):

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Quick menu:

• What is SmartWeb?
• STEP 1. Uninstall SmartWeb application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SmartWeb ads from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove SmartWeb adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove Ads By SmartWeb from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove SmartWeb extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

SmartWeb 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 "SmartWeb", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes SmartWeb ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove SmartWeb adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

At time of research, SmartWeb did not install browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. You are advised to eliminate these potentially unwanted applications from your Internet browsers.

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 recently-installed potentially unwanted plug-ins, select them and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smartweb adware, 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 recently-installed potentially unwanted plugins, select them and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smartweb adware, 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 recently-installed potentially unwanted plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with smartweb adware 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 smartweb adware, 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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