How to remove Smart Search (smartersearches.net) from the browser

What kind of extension is Smart Search?

We investigated Smart Search and found that it is a browser extension with the traits of a browser hijacker. Once installed, it modifies browser settings to promote smartersearches.net, a fake search engine.

Smart Search markets itself as a multi-language search tool. In practice, smartersearches.net has no homepage of its own - it simply performs a chain redirect that ends on Yahoo. Users are advised to remove this extension from any browser it has been added to.

Smart Search browser hijacker overview

After installation, Smart Search changes the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL to smartersearches.net. Every search or new tab is then routed through this fake search engine rather than the one the user prefers.

Smartersearches.net has no actual homepage. Rather than displaying a search interface, the site performs a chain redirect that ultimately lands on search.yahoo.com. Since smartersearches.net cannot generate results of its own, Yahoo handles all the search output.

The redirect destination is not fixed. The user's geolocation and other factors can influence where the chain ultimately leads, so some users may end up on a different search engine or website.

Like most browser hijackers, Smart Search likely uses persistence mechanisms - restricting access to removal-related settings or reversing any changes the user makes - to keep itself installed.

Software in this category typically tracks browsing activity. Smart Search may collect visited URLs, search queries, browser cookies, IP addresses, geolocation data, and other user details.

Collected data can be sold to third parties or misused in other ways. Browser-hijacking software is associated with privacy risks, financial harm, and potential identity theft.

Browser hijacker examples

We have examined numerous browser hijackers; Get Maps & Driving Directions, Freshy Search, and Video Search Extension are merely a few of our most recently published articles.

Remember that even if a browser extension functions exactly as its promotional material describes - that alone does not prove it is safe. Smart Search is a fitting example: it promises multi-language search while quietly hijacking browser settings.

How did Smart Search install on my computer?

Smart Search has an official promotional website as well as a dedicated offer page designed to direct users to the Chrome Web Store. Both serve as distribution channels, reaching users who may not realize they are installing a browser hijacker.

This extension also spreads through bundled free software installers. Downloads from unofficial sources - freeware sites, peer-to-peer sharing networks, or third-party portals - sometimes include Smart Search as an optional extra. Rushing through "Quick" or "Express" install options without reviewing the terms makes these additions easy to miss.

Intrusive ads and spam browser notifications from questionable websites are another delivery channel. Some ads can trigger automatic download scripts simply by being clicked.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise downloading software only from official or verified sources. When installing any program, read the terms, choose "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and deselect any supplementary apps, extensions, or features you did not request.

Stay cautious while browsing. Ads that seem harmless can redirect users to questionable websites when clicked. Avoid granting notification permissions to sites you are not fully confident in - these are frequently abused to deliver unwanted browser extensions.

If your computer is already affected by Smart Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically remove this browser hijacker and any remaining unwanted components.

Appearance of smartersearches.net redirecting to Yahoo (GIF):

Permissions asked by Smart Search browser hijacker:

Smart Search browser hijacker's promotional websites:

Sample 1:

Sample 2:

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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.

Quick menu:

• What is Smart Search?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Smart Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove smartersearches.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove smartersearches.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Smart Search browser hijacker 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 any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Smart Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Smart Search" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Smart Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.smartersearches.net) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "smartersearches.net", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smart search browser hijacker, 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Smart Search", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Smart Search", remove hxxp://smartersearches.net and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with smart search browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

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.

If you continue having problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smart search browser hijacker, 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:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit websites like smartersearches.net?

Smart Search's developers profit by routing search traffic through smartersearches.net. Each query that passes through the domain generates revenue for its operators - typically through advertising or referral arrangements with search engines like Yahoo.

Is visiting smartersearches.net a threat to my privacy?

To some extent, yes. Fake search engines like smartersearches.net can gather visitor data - including search queries and browsing details - and share it with third parties. Using the site carries a genuine privacy risk as a result.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers typically spread through bundled software installers, official and deceptive promotional pages, freeware and file-hosting sites, peer-to-peer networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads that trigger downloads when clicked.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Smart Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove Smart Search. Keep in mind that when multiple hijackers are present, manual removal is risky - removing one may allow others to reinstall it. Removal-related settings can also be restricted while the hijacker is active.

Using Combo Cleaner ensures the cleanup is thorough and all browser hijackers are removed at once.