If you wonder how to get rid of all intrusive ads displayed by GeoSmartDNS you have just landed on the right page. The content of this article aims to give insight on how to remove GeoSmartDNS infection from affected browser and system.
What is GeoSmartDNS? It is a nasty program of adware kind that affects system settings in order to become able to generate lots of aggressive ads during regular browsing sessions. The installation process of this undesired program usually happens without your knowledge. This is possible with the help of various shady techniques of distribution that are designed to drop it directly on the system.
Threat Summary
| Name | GeoSmartDNS |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | GeoSmartDNS is undesired program that alters system settings in order to inject lots of ads in the browser. |
| Symptoms | Many advertisements flood the browser and make it sluggish. Browsing sessions are interrupted by redirects to doubtful websites promoted by GeoSmartDNS adware. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss GeoSmartDNS. |
GeoSmartDNS Adware – Spread Techniques
A website with domain geosmartdns.com is considered to be the official website of this adware. And eventually, it is one of the channels used for the distribution of this undesired program.
However, this spread channel is rarely the one used for the delivery of GeoSmartDNS adware as it demands your personal desire to download the software. Oftentimes the program lands on computer systems along with other third-party apps. You could obtain such apps for free from across the net. They may seem useful and attractive but may also serve for the installation of undesired apps like GeoSmartDNS on your PC. In order to trick you into installing the extra programs, the installers of these apps do not reveal any information about all existing components or not in the regular configuration steps. How you can stop the installation of potentially unwanted programs and prevent them from infecting your device is by choosing the Advanced or Custom installer options. Once you enter them you could see whether some additional apps are going to be installed along with the primary one and then make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Another spread technique that may have provided for the unnoticed installation of GeoSmartDNS adware is malvertising. It provides bad intenders the possibility to clone legitimate web pages used in advertising campaigns in order to inject malicious code into their code. Then they release the URLs of corrupted web pages in various ad campaigns by posing as the legitimate distributor. A visit to such corrupted web page triggers the injected malicious code which could result in an automatic download of GeoSmartDNS adware directly on the computer.
URLs of corrupted web pages may be pushed by other harmful programs that reside on the system as well.
GeoSmartDNS Adware – More About Its Impact
The reason why you see all this annoying “Ads by GeoSmartDNS” is an adware program that is running on your PC. Even though, GeoSmartDNS pretends to be an app that provides proxy functions, its purpose is to alter essential network settings and start generating lots of annoying ads.
Frequently used web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari could be flooded with ads by GeoSmartDNS adware. The ads could behave aggressively in an attempt to leave you no other choice except visiting the promoted content. Some of the following phrases are traits of ads generated by this adware:
- Ads by GeoSmartDNS
- Advertisement by GeoSmartDNS
- Ad by GeoSmartDNS
- Advert from GeoSmartDNS
- Powered by GeoSmartDNS
- Brought to you by GeoSmartDNS
- Generated by GeoSmartDNS
- Pushed by GeoSmartDNS
All annoying pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, new tab pages and other kinds of online ads that are shown in the browser could redirect you to potentially harmful websites. These websites may offer you another rogue software or which is even worse activate malware download process on the background. So the sooner you remove GeoSmartDNS adware from your system the better.
GeoSmartDNS – Privacy Policy
At the bottom of GeoSmartDNS’ official website is stated that an organization with the name GreenTeam is the owner of this program. It seems that this is not the first time for this company to release undesired programs that harass online users. Other nasty adware associated with the same company appear to be GeoByPass and Zwhip.
At the moment of reporting this nasty adware there is no privacy policy section available on the official website. This is yet another proof that this program does more harm than good. Policy section should inform users about data collection practices implemented by the program. The lack of policy, however, does not mean that GeoSmartDNS keeps from spying on your online behavior. As of the collected details they may be all of the following:
- Geographical location
- IP address
- Hardware specifications
- Browser type
- Browser version
- Browsing history
- Search queries
- Operating system and version
- Language preferences
Since there is no privacy policy to reveal how owners plan to use all these sensitive details there is a significant risk of some privacy-related issues. The guesses are that they may disclose the data records to third-parties of unknown origin or even worse release them on dark web market forums.
How to Remove GeoSmartDNS Adware and Stop Ads
In order to remove GeoSmartDNS from your PC, you should complete all the steps listed in the removal that follows. It presents both manual and automatic removal approaches. Combined the two methods guarantee the complete removal of this nasty program. In case that you have further questions or need additional help, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us via email.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove GeoSmartDNS from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for GeoSmartDNS with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall GeoSmartDNS and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by GeoSmartDNS on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by GeoSmartDNS there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for GeoSmartDNS (Windows).
Get rid of GeoSmartDNS from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall GeoSmartDNS and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to GeoSmartDNS. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove GeoSmartDNS via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove GeoSmartDNS files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as GeoSmartDNS, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for GeoSmartDNS (Mac)
Remove GeoSmartDNS from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase GeoSmartDNS from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall GeoSmartDNS from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove GeoSmartDNS from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the GeoSmartDNS will be removed.
Eliminate GeoSmartDNS from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
GeoSmartDNS-FAQ
What Is GeoSmartDNS?
The GeoSmartDNS threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of GeoSmartDNS?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like GeoSmartDNS?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does GeoSmartDNS Work?
Once installed, GeoSmartDNS can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
GeoSmartDNS can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is GeoSmartDNS Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the GeoSmartDNS Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this GeoSmartDNS how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on GeoSmartDNS?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the GeoSmartDNS threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.