SmartSearch is promoted as a useful extension but is classified as a browser hijacker. Once installed, it will hijack the browser and make unwanted changes to settings. This is done to redirect users to sponsored websites to generate revenue. It’s not a dangerous infection but you should get rid of it as soon as possible if you find it on your computer.
Browser hijackers are very noticeable infections because they make changes to the browser’s settings. As soon as SmartSearch browser hijacker is installed, it will set boyu.com.tr as your homepage, new tabs, and default search engine. boyu.com.tr is a questionable site and a fake search engine. These changes can affect all popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. It should be mentioned that you will not be able to undo the changes to your browser’s settings until you remove SmartSearch browser hijacker from your computer.
Browser hijackers like SmartSearch are not dangerous infections and generally do not cause harm to the computer directly. However, they do try to redirect users to sponsored websites, which is their main purpose. This is done by pushing users to use dubious search engines, in this case boyu.com.tr. These search engines insert sponsored content into search results to trick users into visiting them. Keep in mind that not all of those sites will be safe. Some sponsored results could expose you to scams and malware. Thus, browser hijackers are not entirely harmless.
It’s important to mention that browser hijackers are quite intrusive when it comes to collecting data. The SmartSearch browser hijacker may track your browsing and collect certain data, particularly what sites you visit, what you search for, and your IP address. It’s also common for this information to be shared with third parties. SmartSearch has no redeemable features so there’s no reason to tolerate any kind of data collection.
If you notice that SmartSearch has hijacked your browser, remove it right away. It’s not a dangerous infection but there is no reason why you should put up with it. You should be able to remove SmartSearch browser hijacker both using an anti-virus program and manually. However, using an anti-virus program is the recommended option because it would be easier as the program would take care of everything. As soon as you remove the hijacker, your browser will go back to normal and you will be able to change your browser’s settings as usual.
How do browser hijackers install on a computer?
Infections like browser hijackers and adware are often disguised as legitimate and useful programs and promoted on various popular program download websites. To prevent unwanted and even potentially dangerous installations, we recommend you always research programs before downloading them. A quick search with Google is often enough to determine whether a program is safe to download/install.
Browser hijackers are also installed via what’s called the software bundling method. It’s a method that allows infections like adware and hijackers to be added to free programs as extra offers. These offers are authorized to be installed alongside the programs they’re attached to automatically.
While the offers are technically optional, users need to manually deselect them to prevent their installations. This is made difficult by the fact that the offers are hidden in settings users don’t normally use. Users can’t deselect what they don’t notice. This is why software bundling is considered to be a controversial installation method.
The additional offers are always optional so their installations can be prevented quite easily. As long as you pay attention when installing programs, there should be no issues. When installing a program, make sure to use Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default (Basic). The installation window will recommend using Default settings but if you do that, all added offers will be authorized to install alongside without your explicit permission.
Advanced (Custom) settings not only make all added offers visible but also give the option to deselect all of them. It’s a good idea to deselect all added offers as no legitimate program will use this method to install. Programs that do use it are classified as potential threats by anti-virus programs.
We don’t recommend you allow any additional offers to install. The added offers are usually junk that will only take up space on your computer and cause all kinds of issues. They can also be troublesome to get rid of once fully installed. It’s considerably easier to deselect a couple of boxes when installing programs.
How to remove SmartSearch browser hijacker
Browser hijackers are not serious infections so you can delete SmartSearch both manually and using an anti-virus program. The latter is recommended because hijackers can be troublesome to get rid of. If you decide to remove SmartSearch manually and need help, you can find the instructions below. Once the hijacker is no longer present, your browsing will go back to normal.
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2-remove-virus.com is not sponsored, owned, affiliated, or linked to malware developers or distributors that are referenced in this article. The article does not promote or endorse any type of malware. We aim at providing useful information that will help computer users to detect and eliminate the unwanted malicious programs from their computers. This can be done manually by following the instructions presented in the article or automatically by implementing the suggested anti-malware tools.
The article is only meant to be used for educational purposes. If you follow the instructions given in the article, you agree to be contracted by the disclaimer. We do not guarantee that the artcile will present you with a solution that removes the malign threats completely. Malware changes constantly, which is why, in some cases, it may be difficult to clean the computer fully by using only the manual removal instructions.