In this article, we will reveal all important details related to the undesired appearance of Smashapps.net redirect in the browser. You will find out how to get rid of the Smashapps.net hoax search engine and stop redirects to other bogus websites.
Smashapps.net Browser Redirect
Smashapps.net is a strange search engine that hijacks the homepages of commonly used web browsers. It may also replace the new tab URL and the default search engine. The infection is classified as a browser hijacker as it alters main browser preferences without users’ permission. Its unwanted presence in the browser is most likely supported by a potentially unwanted program that has been installed on the system. The purpose of all redirects to Smashapps.net is to convince you to use its suspicious services so that you can provide certain details related to your online behavior and visit sponsored content.
The sooner you check the security of your system and ensure that no suspicious or potentially harmful files are running on it the better.
Smashapps.net redirect Summary
| Name | Smashapps.net |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUP |
| Short Description | Pretends to be an useful and reliable search engine. Applies modifications to browser homepage, new tab page and default search engine without asking for perission. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search enigne in preferred web browser are set to display the hoax search engine Smashapps.net Browser is slowed down by an increased number of online ads. |
| 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 Smashapps.net redirect. |
What Does Smashapps.net Search Engine Actually Do?
Smashapps.net is a browser redirect that pushes a questionable search engine. This search engine, in turn, pushes another bogus search engine called s3arch.page. As a result, you may be presented with irrelevant results or even poorly secured web pages.
The suspicious search engine is known to affect commonly used web browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Safari. It can hijack the homepages, new tabs, and default search engines.
All these annoying redirects to Smashapps.net and other bogus websites during your browsing are likely to occur as a result of an unnoticed installation of a potentially unwanted program – a browser hijacker to be more precise. A program of this kind may have landed on your device by being part of the installer of any desired software. It may deliver additional annoying ads in the affected browser in an attempt to monetize its presence on the device.
Yet another issue that may occur after the installation of a PUP on the computer is unsolicited data collection. By activating different tracking technologies, the app may collect the following:
- Search queries
- Browsing history
- Clicks on links
- Type of used browser
- Operating system type
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Geographic location
- The domain name of current Internet service provider (ISP)
Once knowing your online interests, the Smashapps.net redirect’s owners may configure their hijacker to deliver targeted adveritisements in the affected browser. Your affected browser could be inundated with many other redirects and ads, like:
- Pop-ups.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Ad-supported search results.
Beware with all these ads. For the sake of your online security refrain from clicking them. Oftentimes, ads pushed by PUPs open phishing sites, scam pages and malicious pages that may attempt to trick you into installing malware on your system.
Remove Smashapps.net Redirect from Affected Browser and Secure PC
In order to remove Smashapps.net redirect along with all files established to support its activities, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen PC security, we recommend that you combine the steps. Some of the files associated with the hijacker may not be removed manually except you are an experienced computer user. So the manual removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Smashapps.net redirect from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Smashapps.net redirect from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Smashapps.net redirect from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Smashapps.net redirect from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Smashapps.net redirect from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Smashapps.net redirect from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Smashapps.net redirect from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Smashapps.net redirect from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Smashapps.net redirect
Step 2: Uninstall Smashapps.net redirect 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Smashapps.net redirect 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 Smashapps.net redirect 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.
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Smashapps.net redirect from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Smashapps.net redirect and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 Smashapps.net redirect 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 Smashapps.net redirect files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Smashapps.net redirect, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Smashapps.net redirect 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
Erase Smashapps.net redirect 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
Uninstall Smashapps.net redirect 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
Remove Smashapps.net redirect 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 Smashapps.net redirect will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Smashapps.net redirect 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.
