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Smartest.click POP-UP Redirect

Also Known As: smartest.click pop-up
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is smartest.click?

smartest.click is a rogue website designed to force users to visit various other untrustworthy sites. There are many websites such as this available.

Some examples are pusshnetwork.com, valusc.com, and objectdexchange.com Generally, users visit smartest.click inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that are installed inadvertently. In addition to unwanted redirects, PUPs affect computer performance, deliver intrusive advertisements, and record user-system information.

smartest.click pop-up

As soon as a potentially unwanted program is installed, it forces browsers to open new tabs or windows and redirects users to the smartest.click website, which then causes extra (about 2-3) redirects to other untrustworthy (potentially malicious) sites. Visiting these websites could result in high-risk computer infections.

Furthermore, PUPs deliver intrusive ads (banners, coupons, pop-ups, surveys, etc.) that are usually displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site (and conceal underlying content).

If an intrusive ad of this type is clicked, it will redirect users to a potentially malicious website (or websites), or could execute a script that downloads and installs potentially unwanted programs.

Furthermore, potentially unwanted programs collect information such as IP addresses, keystrokes, search queries, visited websites, geo-locations, and other data, some of which will contain sensitive or personally identifiable information that is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) and used to generate revenue.

These actions can lead to privacy issues or even more serious problems such as identity theft. Some potentially unwanted programs also run various background tasks that use a varying amount of system resources (depending on the process), and thus users might experience reduced computer performance.

These are the main reasons why you should uninstall all potentially unwanted programs from your computer immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name smartest.click pop-up
Threat Type Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Symptoms Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
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To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are many potentially unwanted programs, all of which are very similar (or identical) and cause more or less identical problems. Developers offer "useful" features, however, there is no real value in this software. PUPs of this type are designed only to generate revenue by delivering advertisements, causing unwanted redirects, and collecting (and sharing) user information.

How did adware install on my computer?

Potentially unwanted programs can often be downloaded from their official websites, however, many users are tricked into downloading and installing them unwillingly. Programs of this type are installed when software developers use the "bundling" method or through intrusive ads.

"Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party programs with regular software (applications) downloaded from the Internet. Developers hide them in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar options/settings of the installation (or download) processes.

Furthermore, users tend to skip installation steps without first checking these settings and developers do not disclose "bundled" PUP installations properly. This combination can result in inadvertent installations of PUPs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Install software carefully - do not skip installation steps without studying them carefully, especially if the downloaded software is free. Check installation settings and options (such as the aforementioned "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings). Opt-out of unwanted offers/software and only then finish the installation.

Do not download software from untrustworthy/unofficial websites (or other sources) or torrents - use only official sources. Do not click suspicious intrusive ads or buttons, especially if you are on an untrustworthy/unofficial website.

If you happen to click intrusive ads that redirect you to pornography, adult dating, gambling, or other websites of this type, close them immediately and remove any unwanted or suspicious extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins from your browser, or programs from your computer.

If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

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Quick menu:

Adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

smartest.click adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for any potentially unwanted programs, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes smartest.click redirects, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing smartest.click ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removing smartest.click ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smartest.click pop-up, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing smartest.click  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.

Removing smartest.click ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smartest.click pop-up, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing smartest.click ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Removing smartest.click ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with smartest.click pop-up removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smartest.click pop-up, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

Post a comment:
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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
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