How to Remove Ad.smartwebads.com Browser Hijacker?

I recently found Ad.smartwebads.com on my Microsoft Edge browser. I thought it was a normal website program. It turned out I was wrong. It replaces my homepage and changes my settings. Many strange things are installed without my approval. Did it change the settings to allow all software to be installed without asking for my permission? It is very dangerous then. It may install virus and Trojan on my computer in any minute. My Microsoft Edge is out of control. It can launch itself randomly and redirects me to unknown websites. I think my computer is infected with virus already as it runs very slow and freezes now and then. How can I get rid of this virus? Please help me. Thanks in advance.

Brief Description of Ad.smartwebads.com Browser Hijacker

Ad.smartwebads.com is identified as one of the most dangerous browser hijackers which has the capability to damage your computer system to a very large extent. It is an ad-supported program to promote the third party product. A large number of ads will be released on your computer. In order to support its evil task, it changes your homepage and settings. It is trying to generate pay-per-click revenue by redirecting you to certain websites. Besides, various plug-ins and extensions are installed to exploit vulnerability on your computer. Unfortunately, no uninstall option is provided. They will not go away though you reset your browser. We have to tell you that the related files of Ad.smartwebads.com browser hijacker are a bit complicated hiding deep in your system. To avoid being detected and removed, it stops your anti-virus from working properly. Therefore, you have to remove this browser hijacker manually.

It is very important for you to note that Ad.smartwebads.com browser hijacker is bundled with third party software. As the marketing competition becomes fierce nowadays, various adware have been designed and spread widely. Commonly, ad-supported program like this browser hijacker is bundled with free regular software from unknown websites. It will be installed along with this kind of software as a plug-in. Do not download unreliable software next time. Though it is convenient to download free software from any available website, it may bring you potential unwanted programs. In addition, when you are reading news, searching for goods or playing games, a link which looks attractive and beneficial may appear and invite you to click on it. In fact, this kind of link usually leads you to download unnecessary and harmful program. To keep your computer away from malicious program, be cautious when dealing with those unknown pop-ups on the Internet.

According the computer experts, this Ad.smartwebads.com browser hijacker is installed to collect related information for marketing purpose. It monitors your online activities as soon as it sneaks into your system. The search terms you used, websites you visited the most, account information you used on your browser will be collected. So far, we can’t tell that if it can access your financial information when you make payment online. Annoying ads supported by this browser hijacker will pop up now and then when you are trying to pick up new clothes, purses or any other goods. Even more aggressive, it hijacks the information you want and injects ads to your search results. It redirects you to its sponsored websites when you click on the search result. Viruses can hide on those suspicious websites waiting for you. Sometimes, it opens a tab automatically to display its ads. It definitely interferes with your work badly. You may want to change your browser settings to get rid of those annoying things. However, it is difficult to do this as it changes your homepage and settings with a specific code. But, do not worry. You can remove it manually.

Removal Guide

1. Clean Add-ons and Extensions

* Internet Explorer:

(1). Click Tools in the Menu bar and then click Internet Options

(2). Click Programs tab, click Manage add-ons and disable the suspicious add-ons

* Firefox:

(1). Click Tools in the Menu bar and then click Add-ons

(2). Click Extensions, select the related browser add-ons and click Disable

* Google Chrome:

(1). Click Customize and control Google Chrome button → Tools → Extensions

(2). Disable the extensions of Ad.smartwebads.com

2. End Relevant Processes

(1). Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc together to pop up Windows Task Manager, click Processes tab

*For Win 8 Users:

Click More details when you see the Task Manager box

And then click Details tab

(2). Find out and end Ad.smartwebads.com’s processes

3. Show Hidden Files

(1). Click on Start button and then on Control Panel

(2). Click on Appearance and Personalization

(3). Click on Folder Options

(4). Click on the View tab in the Folder Options window

(5). Choose Show hidden files, folders, and drives under the Hidden files and folders category

(6). Click OK at the bottom of the Folder Options window

*For Win 8 Users:

Press Win+E together to open Computer window, click View and then click Options

Click View tab in the Folder Options window, choose Show hidden files, folders, and drives under the Hidden files and folders category

4. Delete Relevant Registry Entries and Files

(1). Delete the registry entries related to Ad.smartwebads.com through Registry Editor

Press Win+R to bring up the Run window, type “regedit” and click “OK”

While the Registry Editor is open, search and delete its registry entries

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].exe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run ‘Random’

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Random

(2). Find out and remove the associated files

%AllUsersProfile%\random.exe

%AppData%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\random.exe

%Temp%\random.exe

Video Shows You How to Safely Modify Windows Registry Editor:

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Ad.smartwebads.com browser hijacker is an unwanted program. According to the recent research, many computers had been infected viruses, Trojans and other powerful threat when being redirected by browser hijacker. Therefore, do not ignore this program though it looks normal in a way. Besides, protect your credit card information in case the cyber criminals target on your money. You may find unknown icons of applications on your desktop while you did not install them before. Those applications will run automatically when you start your computer which takes up much space of your CPU. Your computer will run slow and fail to work properly. Do not allow this nasty browser hijacker ruin your computer further. Stop its evil activities right now!

Published by & last updated on May 22, 2016 5:32 am