How To Remove SmartQuestSearch browser hijacker

Easy Guide To Delete SmartQuestSearch from PC

SmartQuestSearch is an annoying program that is classified as an adware or potentially Unwanted Program by the security expert. It was developed by the team of cyber hacker with the main target to makes illegal money through scam innocent users. It gets installed into the target System without any your knowledge. Once installed first of all it instantly takes control over the target Web browsers like as Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari, Edge and others. It also changes the default web browser homepage, search engine and DNS setting etc. It replaces the homepage and default search engine with malicious codes or fake search engine. While users visit on the provided search engine which shows unwanted or unrelated searching results as well as redirect users to questionable site without any your permission.

It is able to show third party unwanted and annoying advertisements into various forms like as  commercial ads, pop-up ads, coupons, banners, discounts etc on the running webpage with the aim to diminishes the browsing   experience as well as  generates illegal revenue on pay per click methods. Sometimes clicking on those adverts might cause the installation of potentially unwanted program. It also creates new files and Windows registries as well as deletes all useful files. It creates various copies itself and spreads then to all on your system in different location with different names. So it is hard to detect and eliminate from normal antimalware tool.

How SmartQuestSearch gets installed into the PC?

SmartQuestSearch can make the PC highly risky by inactivate firewall, task manager,   control panel and real antivirus program. In this way it make loop hole to gets installed other harmful infections like as malware, Spyware, Adware and other harmful threats. It can gather user’s online browsing habits to collect personal and confidential information like as email-id, password, bank account details, IP address etc which later forwarded them to the cyber offender for illegal use. It also generates web traffic on the running webpage to downpour surfing speed and makes your browser totally useless. Thus it is highly advice to delete SmartQuestSearch as quickly as possible.

 How SmartQuestSearch spreads into the System:

SmartQuestSearch mostly spreads into the System through the bundled of freeware program, spam email attachments, fake updates Software, porn sites, and phishing website.  Bundling is a deceptive marketing method that is only a trick user into download and installing third party software which contains additional harmful files. Mostly users download and installed freeware from third party webpage without read their terms and license agreements which cause the installation of execution of malicious script that may install harmful infections. Spam email contains malicious attachments and embedded links. Opening files and click on embedded links might cause the installation of malicious infections. Updating System software from unknown sources like as download.com, download 32.com etc.

 How To Avoiding the installation of SmartQuestSearch:

It is highly advice ignore the installation of freeware program from third party webpage. Use the official and trustworthy site while download and installing especially freeware program. Users must be read the installation guide carefully till the end. Always select custom or advance options as well as other similar setting. Use official or direct links while update System Software.

How To Remove SmartQuestSearch Automatically:

SmartQuestSearch is a highly notorious infection that spreads its copies at different locations on your PC. So it is hard to detect and eliminate from normal antimalware tool. we are highly recommended use Automatic Removal Tool to remove SmartQuestSearch easily and completely from your PC.

 Threat Summary:

Name : SmartQuestSearch

Threat Type: Browser Hijacker, Adware

Threat Level: High level

Descriptions: It is able to show unwanted ads, redirect your browser on phishing webpage.

Distribution Methods: It mostly spreads with the spam email attachments, freeware installation, Updating System Software, and other tricky ways.

Removal Tool: In order to keep the PC safe and secure from more issues then you are highly advice to delete SmartQuestSearch as soon as possible by using reputable antimalware tool.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove SmartQuestSearch:

Remove the related items of SmartQuestSearch using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing SmartQuestSearch issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (SmartQuestSearch) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to SmartQuestSearch removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter. In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to SmartQuestSearch still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove SmartQuestSearch plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in SmartQuestSearch removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete SmartQuestSearch (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.