Ads by SmootherWeb

What is SmootherWeb?

SmootherWeb is a rogue browser extension claiming to increase Internet browsing speed.

On initial inspection, this may appear to be legitimate and useful functionality, however, be aware that SmootherWeb is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP), since it employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers without users' consent.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, SmootherWeb generates numerous intrusive online advertisements that include (but are not limited to) banner, inline text, search, and transitional ads. There is a high probability that clicking these advertisements will lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored, since this potentially unwanted program collects various software and hardware information including unique identifier numbers, IP addresses (used to determine users' geographic locations), search queries entered into search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.), URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar details that may be personally identifiable.

Information tracking such as this may result in serious privacy issues or identity theft. SmootherWeb is similar to other PUPs that use bundling as an installation method. For example: StormWatch, Boost, GoSave, and LookThisUp among many others.

Neither SmootherWeb, nor any of these other rogue browser extensions provide any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online advertisements. For the above reasons, you are strongly advised to eliminate SmootherWeb from your Internet browsers.

Close examination of SmootherWeb reveals that it is mostly distributed via small download programs (called 'download clients', 'installers', 'download managers', etc.) on freeware download websites such as download.com, softonic.com, and soft32.com.

Download programs are used to monetize these websites' free services and traffic by offering installation of advertised (according to the developers, '100% virus-free') browser plug-ins together with the chosen free software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

To avoid installation of SmootherWeb, or other similar PUPs, pay close attention during the download of free software and never accept installation of any additional applications offered.

Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. If your system is infected with SmootherWeb, read the removal instructions provided to eliminate this adware.

Deceptive free software installers used in SmootherWeb adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

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

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

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

Remove SmootherWeb adware 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 "SmootherWeb", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smootherweb 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: "SmootherWeb", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smootherweb 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 "SmootherWeb".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with smootherweb 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 smootherweb 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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