Ads by SmileysWeLove

What is SmileysWeLove?

Developed by Popajar Inc, SmileysWeLove is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to allow the use of additional smiles and memes when chatting on various social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. While this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that SmileysWeLove is categorized as adware.

The developers of this rogue application employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install SmileysWeLove on Internet browsers without users' permission.

After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, SmileysWeLove generates various intrusive online advertisements including banner, pop-up, in-text, transitional, and interstitial ads. There is a high probability that clicking advertisements generated by SmileysWeLove will cause high-risk adware or malware infections.

In addition, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored, since this rogue browser plug-in records various software and hardware information such as IP addresses (to determine users' geographic locations), website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines, unique identifier numbers generated by installed applications, and other similar details that may be personally identifiable.

This behavior could result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. SmileysWeLove is similar to other PUPs that employ bundling as an installation method.

Examples include Insta Share, AlgoChord, and Middle Pages. None of these applications are useful to the user - their purpose is to generate income by the display of intrusive online ads and sharing collected information with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate SmileysWeLove from your Internet browsers.

Research shows that most adware is distributed via small programs called 'download managers' on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, download.com, and soft32.com among many others.

Download managers are used by these websites as free service monetization tools, since they offer installation of promoted (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 prevent installation of SmileysWeLove, or other similar adware, pay close attention during download of free software and click 'Decline' if installation of any additional applications is offered.

Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Regular' - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them. If your computer is infected with SmileysWeLove adware, follow this removal guide to eliminate it from your Internet browsers.

Deceptive free software installers used in SmileysWeLove adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

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

SmileysWeLove 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 "Smileys We Love Toolbar for IE", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove SmileysWeLove 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 "SmileysWeLove" and "SmileysWeLoveToolbar", select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smileyswelove 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: "Free Smileys & Emoticons", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smileyswelove 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 "SmileysWeLove".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with smileyswelove 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 smileyswelove 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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