Remove m.smartsrch.com Redirect

by Gergana Ivanova | May 8, 2018 | 0 Comments browser redirect, removal guide

Threat Summary M.smartsrch.com – Spread Techniques M.smartsrch.com – More About Its Impact M.smartsrch.com – Privacy Policy How to Remove М.smartsrch.com Redirect

This article aims to help you with the removal of m.smartsrch.com redirect from affected browser and system. Follow the detailed guide at the end to get rid of this annoying website in full.

M.smartsrch.com is a browser redirect that could make you use its suspicious services by hijacking basic browser settings. After infection, its main page starts to appear as browser homepage and new tab page while its deceptive search engine is the default one. The website could also redirect you to websites of unknown origin where a lot of sponsored content is displayed.

Threat Summary

Name	m.smartsrch.com
Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUP
Short Description	M.smartsrch.com is the domain of browser redirect that affects commonly used web browsers by modifying their settigns. It pushes a deceptive search engine.
Symptoms	The homepage and new tab page of affected browsers redirect to the domain of the suspicious m.smartsrch.com. Many advertisements can make the affected browser sluggish and unresponsive.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss m.smartsrch.com.

M.smartsrch.com – Spread Techniques

M.smartsrch.com redirect is likely to land on computer systems along with other desired third-party freeware. As a typical potentially unwanted program it aims to sneak into the system unnoticeably. This is easily achievable with the help of third-party apps because their installers could be set to install the redirect by default. In order that m.smartsrch.com’s presence remains unseen the regular configuration steps do not provide any information about it. The majority of online users prefer to follow the regular steps instead of configuring the installation process through the Advanced or Custom steps. And that’s how infections like m.smartsrch.com take place on computer and mobile systems. So be advised to reveal the information on the Advanced/Custom installation steps each time you decide to install a new app on your PC. They could help you to avoid infections with nasty programs like m.smartsrch.com.

Misleading browser extensions that pretend to enhance your browsing experience may also be used for the distribution of Mmsmartsrch.com. They could be offered on Chrome Web Store or pushed by web pages that contain malicious scripts. Such scripts are able to trigger drive-by download attacks which deliver the infection code unnoticeably on the computer.

Frequently used web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari could be hijacked by m.smartsrch.com redirect.

M.smartsrch.com – More About Its Impact

M.smartsrch.com redirect is able to hijack essential browser settings after it lands on the system. It is known to modify the settings of the homepage, new tab page and default search engine. As a result, the redirect starts to appear during each browsing session. And you are forced to use its deceptive services. Below you can see a picture of the main page of this nasty redirect:

The primary goal of this dubious website is to generate revenue to its owners. For the purpose, its search engine is set to flood search results with links to sponsored content and redirect your browsing sessions to websites of unknown origin where lots of online ads appear as well. Thus, your access to websites that provide the most adequate information for your search queries is limited and you risk being misinformed. In addition, all intrusive ads could slow down browser loads or even cause crashes at times. You need to be careful with all the ads that appear as a click on the wrong one could land you on a corrupted web page that is set to deliver and install malicious code directly on your system.

Even though this dubious search engine website resembles a lot the look of some of the most reliable search engines, it lowers the security of system and browser. As long as its files are available on your system, they could be used as a gateway by malicious intenders. They may compromise the whole system and steal the data you keep on the hard drives.

M.smartsrch.com is also known to obtain various details from the affected browser and keeps a record of them on its servers. In the next paragraph, you could find more information about data collection practices utilized by the redirect.

M.smartsrch.com – Privacy Policy

You can access the Privacy Policy page associated with m.smartsrch.com redirect by clicking on the link presented in the footer of its main page. As found in the policy the website is owned by a company called AirFind. Its products are known to invade computer and mobile systems in order to deliver sponsored content and spy on users’ activities. Other hijacking websites owned by AirFind are Mobisearch.co and MyPortal.us, as detected by our team.

Their Policy page reveals all data collection practices done by their browser hijackers. Below, you can see exactly what information can be obtained from you when you are using any of the m.smartsrch.com services, according to its Policy:

Your full name
E-mail address
Phone number
Your physical address
Your online contacts
Your social networks’ data
Cookies data
Information you provide directly or via 3rd parties

More details related to your internet activities are acquired via cookies and additional tracking technologies. Eventually, m.smartsrch.com service could collect even more data which identifies you. Thus, you should be careful what kind of information you enter in the affected browser as the nasty redirect could send it to its servers and keeps records of it there. In case that you want to prevent m.smartsrch.com from collecting all the details mentioned above you should consider removing it.

How to Remove М.smartsrch.com Redirect

The steps listed below will help you to remove m.smartsrch.com redirect completely from affected Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, or Safari web browser. The guide that follows will also be helpful for the removal of this nasty program from your Windows system. You will find two removal approaches – manual and automatic. Have in mind that the manual removal steps may not reveal all harmful files dropped on the system. If these files remain on the system you can still experience redirects to m.smartsrch.com during browsing sessions. For maximum protection, it is good to scan the system for some leftovers with certified anti-malware tool.

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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Guide 1: How to Remove m.smartsrch.com from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of m.smartsrch.com on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove m.smartsrch.com in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase m.smartsrch.com from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall m.smartsrch.com from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove m.smartsrch.com from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate m.smartsrch.com from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable m.smartsrch.com Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove m.smartsrch.com from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove m.smartsrch.com

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall m.smartsrch.com and related software from Windows

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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by m.smartsrch.com on your computer.

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 m.smartsrch.com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for m.smartsrch.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of m.smartsrch.com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall m.smartsrch.com and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to m.smartsrch.com:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to m.smartsrch.com. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. 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 m.smartsrch.com. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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 m.smartsrch.com 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as m.smartsrch.com. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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 m.smartsrch.com files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as m.smartsrch.com, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for m.smartsrch.com:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove m.smartsrch.com 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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase m.smartsrch.com 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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall m.smartsrch.com 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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove m.smartsrch.com 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 m.smartsrch.com will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate m.smartsrch.com 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.