What Is Smart HDD?
Smart HDD is rogue security software, member of the Win32 / FakeSysdefdefragment group. Smart HDD pretends to be a legitimate program alerting you for different hard drive inefficiencies, and malware but what it actually does is damaging various features from your system. Although such scareware programs are circulating the virtual space since 2010, Smart HDD appears to have additional features built into it, and has changed its interface recently, becoming bigger threat these days. Smart HDD is considered to have a middle to high-risk level for your computer. The rogue software can block different applications on your machine, change your wallpaper, hijack your web browser and even turn off some security features of your Windows system.
What Does Smart HDD Rogue Security Software Do?
Smart HDD can be looked at as a clone to the some well-known rogue security software like Computer Fix, Data Repair, Disk OK, Disk Recovery, Disk Repair, Fast Disk, Good Memory, HDD Diagnostic, HDD Fix, HDD Low, HDD Plus, HDD Repair, HDD Rescue, HDD Tools, Memory Fixer, Memory Optimizer, PC Cleaner Pro 2012, Rogue.Data Recovery, Rogue.File Integrity Checker, Rogue.File Recovery, Rogue.File Restore, Rogue.PC Repair, Rogue.System Recovery, Rogue.Windows Error Recovery, Rogue.Windows Fix, Scanner, Smart Data Recovery, Smart Defragmenter, System Defragmenter, System Restore, Ultra Defragger, Win Disk, Win HDD, Windows Diagnostic, Windows Disk, Windows Fix Disk, Windows Restore, Windows Safemode, Windows Scan, Windows XP Fix, WindowsTool, Windows Repair, etc.
Similar to them, Smart HDD does not have diagnostic possibilities at all. It just pops up false message warnings for system threats.
Despite the rogue software similarities to other from its kind, Smart HDD is known to have two versions of its own. The earlier version contains several false functions like “System Status”, “System Diagnostics” and a defragmentation scanner, most of the rogue software interface being controlled by the visual aspects of this scanner exactly.
The newer version of Smart HDD however has a new, more professional looking interface and new false features as well – SMART fixes, self-observation function, analysis and reporting of the technology review, and others. There is an “Advanced” section, replacing the features that were once implemented in a “Smart HDD” button. All these features present false information and should be ignored completely. The newer versions also have an alert slogan reminding you to register them online, and pay for the service of course.
Both of the Smart HDD rogue security software can cause different troubles for your system, however. Below are the most common threats which might put your computer at risk:
- Malware injection of standard Windows processes, so Smart HDD can automatically start upon system startup.
- Jeopardizing browser security by encrypted connections and security certificates deactivation. Smart HDD can also spy on your personal data, having the ability to resign it to third-party softwares thus eventually being the reason for attacks.
- System errors false alerts
- Disabling or blocking applications, including Windows Task Manager, which is the tool helping you to remove Smart HDD from your computer actually.
- Security settings changes, thus making your machine vulnerable to attacks. The changes can appear as different system behavior or anti-virus file scan deactivation.
All of the above clearly states that Smart HDD rogue security software can be of great danger to your system. It is highly advisable for you to remove it as quickly as possible. This may include having to turn it off before removal; otherwise it may prevent your system of doing so.
How Is Smart HDD Rogue Security Software Distributed?
Smart HDD scareware uses different misleading methods spreading under the cover of optimizing software in order to be installed from unsuspecting customers. Smart HDD tries to convince the users that their computer software or hardware is damaged or vulnerable so they can install Smart HDD on their machines. The most common ways it spreads out is through email spam campaigns, hijacked websites or Trojans.
How to Remove Smart HDD Rogue Software?
As said above, it is highly advisable to remove the rogue security software from your system as soon as possible. Here’s a guide for users:
Spy Hunter FREE scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the malware tool.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Smart HDD from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Smart HDD from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Smart HDD from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Smart HDD from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Smart HDD from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Smart HDD from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Smart HDD from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Smart HDD from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Smart HDD





Step 2: Uninstall Smart HDD 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:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Smart HDD 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 Smart HDD there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



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 Smart HDD from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Smart HDD 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 Smart HDD 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 Smart HDD files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Smart HDD, 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 Smart HDD 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 Smart HDD 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 Smart HDD 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 Smart HDD 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 Smart HDD will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Smart HDD 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.