I’ve run MalwareBytes scan a million times and it keeps showing PUP.Optional.SmartBar.Avirus on my computer. I tried to remove it but it didn’t go away. Every time I remove it and restart the computer, this virus keeps recurring. That is really annoying and frustrating. Why this virus cannot be caught by Malwarebytes? How do I remove such nasty PUP virus from the computer?
PUP.Optional.SmartBar.A is categorized as a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that can sneak into your operating system without your consent. Technically speaking, it doesn’t belong to a virus, but it acts as similar as a virus. Most users have no idea about how this threat comes to their computer and what it is, until MalwareBytes Anti-Malware detects it as a malicious threat. Generally speaking, this unwanted program always gets installed when users download various freeware from the Internet. It can be bundled to free PDF creators, music and video players, recorders and so on and it doesn’t require users’ authorization to be added to your browser.
PUPs have undesirable effects on a user’s computer and they are used for boosting advertising revenue. Once downloaded, it may add unwanted toolbar on your web browsers and slow down your computer speed. If your computer is running with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, then it can easily be the target of this threat. Once inside, it may hijack your browser and record all your browsing activity that may include your financial data such as banking info, credit card details and many more, eventually it could transfer the collected information to remote hackers without your knowledge. In addition, you will have a sea of unwanted pop up ads that are impossible to stop. They keep popping up as soon as you try to get online. An adware can’t be detected and removed from your PC because you won’t find it in the Add/Remove Programs. Instead, use the manual removal instructions below to remove it completely and permanently.
It can bypass the legit security tools and destroy your computer secretly.
It prevents you from opening some application because the files are corrupted.
It can make your browser redirected to all kinds of malicious websites.
It is able to allow remote hacker access the compromised system for illicit purpose.
From malicious drive-by-download scripts from corrupted porn and shareware / freeware websites.
Through spam email attachments, media downloads and social networks.
When clicking suspicious pop-ups or malicious links.
Open unknown email or download media files that contain the activation code of the virus.
Note: No matter how PUP.Optional.SmartBar.A accesses your PC, users should know that there are no tools can be able to remove this pesky adware automatically at this moment, it is suggested users not spend much time in downloading or paying any security software which claims can delete this stubborn virus. It is totally useless. To completely get rid of it, professional manual guide is needed.
Currently many computer users had the same experience that this virus couldn’t be removed by any anti-virus applications. So the manual approach is always required to combat this virus. And here is the step-by-step removal guide for all computer users.
1. End the malicious process from Task Manager.
Once PUP.Optional.SmartBar.A is installed, computer user may notice that CPU usage randomly jumps to 100 percent. At any time Windows always has many running processes. A process is an individual task that the computer runs. In general, the more processes, the more work the computer has to do and the slower it will run. If your system’s CPU spike is constant and remain at a constant 90-95%, users should check from Task Manager and see if there is a suspicious process occupying system resources and then end it immediately.
(The name of the virus process can be random.)
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to quickly bring up Task Manager Window：
2. Show hidden files and folders.
Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files and folders, uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and then click OK.
3. Open Registry entries. Find out the malicious files and entries and then delete all.
Attention: Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.
a. Press Windows key + R to open Run box. In the “Open” field, type “regedit” and click the “OK” button.
Then a Registry Editor window will pop up as the following picture shows:
b. Search malicious files and registry entries related to PUP.Optional.SmartBar.A Virus and then remove all of them:
%AllUsersProfile%\[random]
%AppData%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\[random]
%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\[random]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Temp
PUP.Optional.SmartBar.A is a detection by Malwarebytes Anti-Malware that primarily installs on a computer along with third-party software and files such as freeware, shareware, torrents, and codecs. It disguises itself as a legit process in order to prevent the detection of antivirus software. Once it is running in the background, it may track (aka spy) surfing habits, collect data and then send the collected information to a third party, even though some claim to gather non-evasive data. Don’t give any chance for someone you don’t know to access your computer or collect your information. It can threaten security of your identity and financial stability. All you need to do is to remove PUP.Optional.SmartBar.A without any hesitation.
Note: If you are not knowledgeable enough to be able to distinguish the location of this virus, or you are afraid of making mistake during the manual removal, please contact experts from Yoocare Online Tech Support for further help.
Published by & last updated on April 26, 2014 10:09 am
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