SmartApp Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SmartApp?
SmartApp is an updated variant of an adware-type application called PQwick. This app usually infiltrates systems without users’ permission. In addition, SmartApp delivers intrusive advertisements and gathers various information. Therefore, as with PQwick, SmartApp is also categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted application (PUA).
This adware delivers various intrusive ads, such as coupons, banners, pop-ups, and so on. To achieve this, developers use tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, intrusive ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
Furthermore, intrusive ads often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience. They can also redirect to malicious sites and even execute scripts that download/install malware. Therefore, even a single accidental click can result in high-risk computer infections.
Another significant downside is information tracking, which is a common behavior to adware-type apps. In most cases, adware gathers information such as queries entered into search engines, website URLs visited, pages viewed, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, geo-locations, and so on.
Furthermore, this information might include personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate SmartApp adware immediately.
| Name | Ads by SmartApp |
| 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. |
All adware-type applications are very similar and, thus, SmartApp is virtually identical to KraKraGames, ExpressDirections, MyPersonalPDF, and many others. Most offer useful features, however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy and to trick users to install.
Few PUAs provide the functions promised and most are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, apps such as SmartApp deliver advertisements and record information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a threat to your privacy, and browsing safety.
How did SmartApp install on my computer?
Some potentially unwanted applications have official download websites, however, due to the lack of knowledge of these threats and careless behavior of many users, these programs often infiltrate computers without permission. Developers proliferate them using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods.
"Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party apps together with regular software. Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.
Furthermore, many users often rush these procedures, click advertisements, and skip download/installation steps. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUAs, such as SmartApp.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUAs, be very cautious when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design. Note that most lead to dubious websites (such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
If you experience these ads and redirects, immediately check the list of installed applications/browser plug-ins and eliminate any suspicious entries. Carefully analyze each download/installation step using the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them.
Avoid using third party download/installation tools, since these are used to proliferate malware. Download software from official sources only, using direct download links. If your computer is already infected with SmartApp, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of SmartApp adware application:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is SmartApp?
- STEP 1. Uninstall SmartApp application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove SmartApp adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove SmartApp ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by SmartApp' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove SmartApp extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
SmartApp adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
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:
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:
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:
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.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "SmartApp", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes SmartApp ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove SmartApp adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, SmartApp did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" 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".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by smartapp, 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.
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.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the 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.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by smartapp, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by smartapp removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
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...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge 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.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by smartapp, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
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.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, 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.
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Outstanding!
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