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Ads by SmileysWeLove

Also Known As: SmileysWeLove Adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is SmileysWeLove?

Developed by Popajar Inc, SmileysWeLove is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to allow the use of additional smiles and memes when chatting on various social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. While this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that SmileysWeLove is categorized as adware.

The developers of this rogue application employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install SmileysWeLove on Internet browsers without users' permission.

After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, SmileysWeLove generates various intrusive online advertisements including banner, pop-up, in-text, transitional, and interstitial ads. There is a high probability that clicking advertisements generated by SmileysWeLove will cause high-risk adware or malware infections.

smileyswelove adware

In addition, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored, since this rogue browser plug-in records various software and hardware information such as IP addresses (to determine users' geographic locations), website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines, unique identifier numbers generated by installed applications, and other similar details that may be personally identifiable.

This behavior could result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. SmileysWeLove is similar to other PUPs that employ bundling as an installation method.

Examples include Insta ShareAlgoChord, and Middle Pages. None of these applications are useful to the user - their purpose is to generate income by the display of intrusive online ads and sharing collected information with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate SmileysWeLove from your Internet browsers.

Research shows that most adware is distributed via small programs called 'download managers' on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, download.com, and soft32.com among many others.

Download managers are used by these websites as free service monetization tools, since they offer installation of promoted (according to the developers, '100% virus-free') browser plug-ins together with the chosen free software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

To prevent installation of SmileysWeLove, or other similar adware, pay close attention during download of free software and click 'Decline' if installation of any additional applications is offered.

Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Regular' - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them. If your computer is infected with SmileysWeLove adware, follow this removal guide to eliminate it from your Internet browsers.

Deceptive free software installers used in SmileysWeLove adware distribution:

smileyswelove adware installer sample 2 Deceptive installer used in SmileysWeLove distribution

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Quick menu:

SmileysWeLove 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.

SmileysWeLove adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Smileys We Love Toolbar for IE", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes SmileysWeLove ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove SmileysWeLove adware from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing SmileysWeLove 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 "SmileysWeLove" and "SmileysWeLoveToolbar", select these entries and click "Remove".

Removing SmileysWeLove ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smileyswelove adware, 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 SmileysWeLove ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: "Free Smileys & Emoticons", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing SmileysWeLove ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the smileyswelove adware, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing SmileysWeLove 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "SmileysWeLove".

Removing SmileysWeLove ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with smileyswelove adware 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 smileyswelove adware, 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
SmileysWeLove Adware QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of SmileysWeLove Adware on your mobile device.
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