How to remove Smart Searching Tab

Smart Searching Tab is a browser extension, which official website Smartsearching.net is endorsing as a tool that enhances internet browsing and searching experience of online users especially if they utilized the dedicated search engine at Hp.hsmartsearching.net.

It is considered as browser hijacker because of its malicious behavior on injecting itself into computers without knowledge of web users. Developers of Smart Searching Tab execute a deceptive marketing technique to spread this invasive program. Through freeware “bundling”, installation of Smart Searching Tab is possible. There are software bundles available on the internet free of charge, which includes Smart Searching Tab on the package. Online users do not really notice the penetration of unwanted application like Smart Searching Tab. Typically, software bundles do not reveal that there is Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) or adware included on the package. It will be too late for online users to see the unsolicited installation of PUP when it starts to exhibit suspicious behaviors on the browser.

Smart Searching Tab begins its operations by making alterations on web browser settings. The usual homepage, new tab page, and search engine will show the unwanted Hp.hsmartsearching.net homepage. Results provided by this questionable web address could be unreliable and inaccurate. Furthermore, Smart Searching Tab can present internet users with questionable web pages, containing unexpected and undesirable subjects. It can also generate intrusive advertisements and pop-ups that connect to dubious websites such as mature-oriented sites, illegal streaming platforms, or intrusive promotional sites, which are unsuitable for web visitors. Furthermore, ads by Smart Searching Tab can install similar-unwanted program into computer, to cause more damage in the operating system.

Image of Hp.hsmartsearching.net

Infections of Smart Searching Tab on the computers could also lead to privacy issues. This unwanted program and its search engine Hp.hsmartsearching.net are able to track browsing activities and confidential information of web users. Such private data can be exposed to cyber criminals and use it for generating income by blackmailing, or exploiting money from their victims. Note that, a simple installation of an unwanted program could result into petty problems that may become serious in the future. It is better to remove Smart Searching Tab from computers as soon as possible to avoid further adware or malware infection.

Smart Searching Tab Removal Procedure

Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the potentially unwanted program (PUP) from compromised Windows computer. Aside from removing the malicious browser extension, this guide is also helpful in deleting Hsmartsearching.net hijacker and pop-ups.

In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner.

Step 1 : Delete Smart Searching Tab Browser Extension

Most adware and unwanted programs use an application called a "browser extension" to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend checking and removing the extension that is closely related to Smart Searching Tab. If it is not present, look for and delete any suspicious browser extension.

Remove the Smart Searching Tab Extension from Google Chrome

1. Open your Google Chrome browser.

2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

Chrome URL

3. Find Smart Searching Tab or any relevant entry and remove it from the Google Chrome browser.

Uninstall the Smart Searching Tab Extension from Mozilla Firefox

1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.

2. Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

Firefox URL

3. Choose Extensions from the sidebar menu.

4. Look for an object that pertains to Smart Searching Tab and remove it from the browser.

After deleting the malicious browser extension, it is expected that pop-ups and other troubles will be gone from the internet browser.

Remove Smart Searching Tab from Microsoft Windows and Edge Browser

1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key + R and then, type the appwiz.cpl command.

2. The Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in a chronological manner, with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on the 'Installed On' column.

Add-Remove Malware

3. Select Smart Searching Tab or a recently installed unwanted entry. Then, click on Uninstall to remove it from the Windows system.

If Smart Searching Tab is still present on the browser and there are still homepage and pop-ups, another option is to remove the adware from the browser settings.

4. Open the Microsoft Edge program.

5. Input edge://extensions/ in the URL bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

6. Look for and Remove or Disable entries for Smart Searching Tab from the Installed Extensions area. Additionally, delete the same object from the Search Providers section by executing the Hijacker Removal Procedure for Edge.

7. Close the window and restart Microsoft Edge.

Step 2 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus

To remove Smart Searching Tab automatically, checking the computer with this powerful malware scanner recommended. This security application does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware, it is also effective in discovering browser hijacker that assigns Hsmartsearching.net as the homepage URL.

1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.

2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the install process.

Screnshot of Sophos Installer

3. On first windows of installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.

Screenshot of Sophos EULA Page

4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool.

5. Internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove malicious program like Smart Searching Tab.

6. Click the  button to  carry out the Scan. This will check the system for presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Smart Searching Tab and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.

Screenshot of Sophos Virus Scan

The above procedures should have totally eliminated the Smart Searching Tab browser hijacker. However, if you found that there are still remnants of the threat and Hsmartsearching.net still exists on internet application, please proceed to manual removal of associated objects as outlined below.

Step 3 : Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner

In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of Smart Searching Tab on the browser that was not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for presence of malicious applications as well as invalid browser entries that produces Hsmartsearching.net pop-ups.

1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.

2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer especially browsers affected by Smart Searching Tab.

3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on Scan button.

AdwCleaner

4. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated to Smart Searching Tab. It will also check for suspicious entries on browser settings that is associated with Hsmartsearching.net.

5. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.

6. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of detected threats.

Check if your internet browser application is no longer being bothered by Hsmartsearching.net. If the browser hijacker still persists, please continue with the steps below to reset internet programs to default settings.

Optional : Reset Internet Browser Program

Cleaning your internet browser from clutter and unwanted add-on/extension is a must when dealing with Smart Searching Tab. The procedure below discusses on resetting various browsers to their default state.

Restore Google Chrome to Default Settings

Resetting Google Chrome to its default settings is helpful in deleting hard-to-remove extensions, such as Smart Searching Tab. This method is highly advisable to perform if you have difficulty removing unwanted extensions.

1. Open the Google Chrome internet browser.
2. On the address bar, type chrome://settings/reset and press the Enter key.
3. Click on Reset Settings on the sidebar and choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. On the confirmation window, click the Reset settings button to clear all entries for Smart Searching Tab.
5. Close the existing tab and restart Google Chrome. That should have removed the Smart Searching Tab extension and associated objects.

Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default

This section describes how to remove unwanted extensions from Firefox that may be related to Smart Searching Tab. This process can fix many browser issues by restoring Firefox to factory settings without affecting your essential information (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and Internet cookies) on the browser. If you desire to remove only a specific extension, please see the manual removal of add-ons from Firefox.

1. Input the string about:support on the Firefox web address and press Enter on the keyboard.
2. You will now see the Troubleshooting Information page of Mozilla Firefox.
3. You will notice a section in the upper-right corner of the screen stating, Give Firefox a tune-up. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
4. If a confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
5. Firefox browser will close and start the resetting process. When done, it will display a list of restored data. Smart Searching Tab should be gone by now. Click Finish to open a fresh version of Firefox.

Restore Microsoft Edge to Default Settings

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. On the address bar, please input edge://settings/reset and press Enter on the keyboard.
3. Once you are on the Reset Settings page, click on Restore settings to their default values.
4. A confirmation window will appear; click on the Reset button to continue.

Your data, like favorites, bookmarks, and history, will remain in the browser. However, this process will delete add-ons by Smart Searching Tab and other unknown objects.

How to remove Hsmartsearching.net Pop-ups (Notification)

Most of the time, browser hijackers are combined with intrusive pop-up ads originating from the source website Hsmartsearching.net. It is taking advantage of push notification feature of popular internet programs like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Edge. These pop-up ads from Hsmartsearching.net are extra ordinary as it exceeds the normal display volume and they are certainly annoying.

Normally, Hsmartsearching.net pop-ups will start to bombard internet browser screen with pop-ups if web user was deceived to click “Allow” button that triggers the said website to send push notification. To stop Hsmartsearching.net from showing the pop-ups, please execute the procedures below. Remember, these steps may only be successful after the removal of the main component or dubious browser extension.

Google Chrome

1. On Google Chrome browser, input the following in the address bar and press Enter:

chrome://settings/content/notifications

2. Navigate to the list under "Allow" section and look for Hsmartsearching.net.

3. Click the ellipses (3 dots) beside Hsmartsearching.net list to reveal the options.

Chrome Push Notification

4. Click on Block or Remove to stop Hsmartsearching.net from displaying pop-up ads on Google Chrome browser.

6. Please restart Google Chrome browser.

Mozilla Firefox

1. On Mozilla Firefox browser, type the following in the address bar and press Enter key:

about:preferences#privacy

2. Navigate below to Permission area and look for Notifications.

Firefox Notification Settings

3. Click the Settings button aligned with the Notifications.

4. Look for Hsmartsearching.net entry and change the Status to Block.

Block Notification from Firefox

5. Click on Save Changes and restart Mozilla Firefox and check if Hsmartsearching.net pop-up is gone.

Safari (Mac)

1. On top menu, click on Safari and then, select Preferences from the drop-down list.

2. Click on Websites tab to open its settings.

3. Select Notifications from the left sidebar.

Safari Push Notification

4. On right panel, it will display a list of websites with "Allow" attribute.

5. Find and click on Hsmartsearching.net.

6. You may choose to Deny or Remove it from the notification list.

7. You may now restart Safari browser and see if Hsmartsearching.net pop-up is gone.

Microsoft Edge

1. Assuming that Edge browser is open, click on the ellipses (3 dots) on upper right corner to open the Settings. Alternatively, you can press Alt + X on the keyboard.

2. Select Settings from the drop-down list.

3. Click on Advanced.

4. Under Website Permissions area, click on Manage Permissions button.

Edge Push Notification

4. Find and select Hsmartsearching.net from the list. Click on X button to stop it from showing pop-up ads or notifications.

Edge Notification Removal

5. You may now restart Edge browser.

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