Remove RapidFixer and PUP.Optional.SmartInstall

by Milena Dimitrova | October 14, 2015 | 0 Comments adware, PUP

RapidFixer Description and Distribution What Is SmartWallet?Should RapidFixer Be Removed from the System?

RapidFixer is advertised as maintenance sotftware that should provide a variety of optimization features, including registry repair and PC security.

Name	RapidFixer
Type	PUP, bundleware
Short Description	The software is advertised as a PC optimizer.
Symptoms	Unwanted advertisements, changes to the browser’s settings and registry.
Distribution Method	The official website, possibly in bundled installers.
Detection tool	Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By RapidFixer

RapidFixer is available for download on its official website and it can be tried for free for 30 days. After the end of the trial and according to the Terms of use, a fee has to be paid. However, as of the time of the article being written, we couldn’t locate the amount of the fee anywhere on the official website. Users should also note that RapidFixer has been flagged as a potentially unwanted program that does more harm than good to the computer.

RapidFixer Description and Distribution

The program is promoted as a PC optimizer utility but may not meet the expectations of the user. Even if the program does what it promises, it may endanger the system by dropping adware programs and adding registry entries.

Important

According to our own research, RapidFixer employs a bundled installer. This is how the program’s installation platform looks like:

As visible, two installation options are given to the user – easy (recommended) and advanced. If the user doesn’t pay attention and skips this step, he will download additional pieces of ad-supported software. One of the programs installed by RapidFixer is SmartWallet. However, the other one is not properly disclosed and may be anything from an ad-supported browser extension, to a spyware program designed to harvest sensitive information.

What Is SmartWallet?

SmartWallet is an ad-supported program that is most likely located in C:\Program Files\SmartWallet\SmartWalletUninstaller.exe. All of the features of adware apply to the application:

SmartWallet may be detected as PUP.Optional.SmartInstall.
SmartWallet may collect PII and non-PII and use it for marketing purposes.
SmartWallet may employ various tracking technologies like cookies and beacons, and may not support Do Not Track browsing preferences.
SmartWallet may alter the Windows Registry and add a new registry key.

A running AV program can detect or block SmartWallet:

Now, let’s go back to the primary application that installed SmartWallet and another, unknown piece of riskware onto the system – RapidFixer. When users plan to download and use third party software, they often forget how important it is to read the

Terms and conditions
End User License Agreement
Download Agreement
Privacy Policy

and any other section that provides information about the software provider and his intentions.

The STF team has analyzed the EULA available on the official website of RapidFixer. What our team of researchers found troublesome about the software is:

The price of the product is not known and if the user has given away his banking information, he may end up being charged an enormous amount of money.
The software provider has the right to change the price of the product at any time. A notification about the change will be displayed on the website, but no further notice will be given to the user.

Have a look at the image:

Does RapidFixer Affect the Browser?

Yes. The program is designed to change the default browser settings. As a result of the changes, the browser’s search page, home page and new tab page may be changed. Here is the place to remind users that software providers such as the developers of RapidFixer cooperate with affiliate partners and third parties. The changes to the browser may occur after an additional download of a product, promoted in RapidFixer’s installer, takes place. Such browser alterations are typical for browser hijackers, often employed to:

Redirect users to predefined pages.
Generate pay-per-click revenue.
Collect sensitive user information.

Should RapidFixer Be Removed from the System?

Due to its dubious download agreement and bundling policy, RapidFixer has been classified as a potentially unwanted program. Users, who find the program useful and don’t mind having it installed on their machines, shouldn’t disregard the fact that their online activities may be monitored. Furthermore, the bundled installer of RapidFixer may open the door to other unknown and potentially harmful programs. To completely eradicate all traces of RapidFixer and its affiliate software, an AV scanner is recommended, if not required.

A removal guide is provided just below, may it be suitable for tech-savvy users only.

Step 1: Remove/Uninstall RapidFixer in Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:

Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).

In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).

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

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall RapidFixer.

Step 2: Remove RapidFixer from your browser

Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox

Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome

Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer

Remove a toolbar from Safari

Start Mozilla Firefox Open the menu window

Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu

Select RapidFixer and click “Remove”

After RapidFixer is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Google Chrome and Open the drop menu

Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“

From the opened “Extensions” menu locate RapidFixer and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.

After RapidFixer is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Internet Explorer:

Click “‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’

In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window, make sure that in the first window ‘Add-on Types’, the drop menu ‘Show’ is on ‘All add-ons’

Select RapidFixer to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.

After RapidFixer has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Safari

Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.

From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on RapidFixer
Click ‘Uninstall’

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall RapidFixer. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the RapidFixer will be removed.

In order to remove any associated objects that are left after uninstall and detect any other threats, you should:

Step 3: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove RapidFixer.

Removing RapidFixer from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

Removing RapidFixer from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:

Substep 1:

Open the Start Menu

Substep 2:

Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.

Substep 3:

After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Substep 4:

You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Substep 5:

After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Substep 6:

Click on Restart.

Substep 7:

A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove RapidFixer.

Step 4: Remove RapidFixer automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.

To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all RapidFixer associated objects.

NOTE! Substantial notification about the RapidFixer threat: Manual removal of RapidFixer requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

Milena Dimitrova

An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim

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

Guide 4: Erase RapidFixer from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall RapidFixer from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove RapidFixer from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate RapidFixer from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove RapidFixer

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 RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer:

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 RapidFixer. 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 RapidFixer. 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 RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer. 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 RapidFixer files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as RapidFixer, 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 RapidFixer:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer 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 RapidFixer 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.