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What is Clever Search?

Clever Search attempts to give the impression of being a legitimate app by offering some useful features (text search and translation) - "Clever Search is an ad-supported software utility that makes searching and translating information you find online easy."

Some users may believe that this application is legitimate and useful, however, Clever Search is adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

These negative associations are made for two main reasons. Firstly, Clever Search usually infiltrates systems without users' permission. Secondly, this application displays various types of intrusive online advertisements and collects Internet browsing-related information.

After infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, Clever Search employs a virtual layer to display intrusive online advertisements such as transitional, coupons, comparison, and in-text ads. In some instances, ads are opened in new browser tabs/windows.

The virtual layer allows placement of graphical content on any website, however, note that the displayed content does not originate from the visited webpage. The displayed ads diminish the Internet browsing experience by concealing underlying content and redirecting users to various webpages that might be infectious.

Therefore, clicking these advertisements may cause further computer infections. Furthermore, Clever Search monitors users' Internet browsing activity and collects various information that is, according to the Privacy Policy of Clever Search, not personally identifiable.

This claim is false, since collected data includes browser type, browsing details (websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, cookies, etc.), computer type, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, geographic locations, language settings, time zone, etc. There is no doubt that this information will contain personally identifiable details (such as PayPal or bank account logins/passwords).

Gathered information is later shared with third parties who can misuse it to generate revenue, thereby causing serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you are worried about your privacy and Internet browsing safety, eliminate Clever Search immediately.

In addition to the uses described above, we also share, transfer, or license your user and use information to third parties to store and analyze the data, provide search results and associated advertising, provide hosting services and customer support services.

Clever Search is identical to other variants (including WordShark, Quick Surf, and WordAnchor) that display intrusive online ads and collect private information. As with most regular adware, Clever Search is also similar to other applications of the same type. There are hundreds of examples such as Provider, SuperAdRemove, OptiSpace, etc.

These applications provide no significant value for the user. Clever Search, and other adware-type applications, are developed to generate revenue by displaying advertisements and collecting personally identifiable information.

How did Clever Search install on my computer?

Although Clever Search has an official website, it is usually distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party apps together with regular software.

Research shows that most users do not pay enough attention when downloading/installing software, and by skipping the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings (where additional applications are usually hidden), they inadvertently install bogus applications.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

When downloading from a freeware download website, select the direct download link (if provided). Most freeware download websites enforce use of a 'download manager' (to monetize download websites' traffic and free services).

In this case, closely analyze each step of the free software download procedure and decline all offers to install third party software. Finally, downloaded applications should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any bundled apps listed for installation and allow you to cancel them.

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Quick menu:

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

Clever Search 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 "Clever Search", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Clever Search ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove CS ads from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Clever Search did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the clever search 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 "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the clever search 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with clever search 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 clever search 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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