Sweetpacks-search.com is a browser hijacker that infiltrates the computer in various ways. Most common method used by attacker is to wrap it to freeware or shareware and made it available online. To attract visitors, it will disguise as vital tools or software update. Another way to distribute Sweetpacks-search.com adware is through malicious advertisements that will appear on unwanted web sites where your browser will get diverted after being infected with Trojan.
Known browsers like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome are the main target of Sweetpacks-search.com. Once you execute its code, there is great chance that your home page will be replaced with the said search engine. Moreover, it may add other features like toolbar and pop-up ads.
The start-up page of Sweetpacks-search.com may look like a normal online search provider, however, it is surprising to see that mix of ad links and search result link on a single page. This confuses users and most of the time may click on the ads instead of a useful link. At any rate, you must understand that main concern of author behind this program is to gain monetary profit through pay-per-click scheme. Thus, putting ads along with the search results is intentional.
Basically, you can avoid having the Sweetpacks-search.com hijacker if you only pay attention on programs you have been downloading and installing. Adware like this one may only offer annoyances when installed on the browser.
Online Security Scanner Report for sweetpacks-search.com:
 | No Issues | Community Rating: 1.3/5.0 | Updated: July 28, 2016 |
 | Not yet rated | Feedback: No data | Updated: July 28, 2016 |
 | Currently Safe | Feedback: No data | Updated: July 28, 2016 |
Sweetpacks-search.com Removal Procedure
Browser redirects and hijacking issues takes place if browser settings may have been altered by malware.
To get rid of this threat, a number of scanner and tools are suggested. Please run all these tools to ensure that no more malicious files will be left on the computer.
Stage 1: Scan the Computer with Sophos Virus Removal Tool
This rootkit and virus removal tool is free and easy to use. It scans, detects and removes any rootkit, malware as well as threat like Sweetpacks-search.com. The tool is powerful enough to find malicious items that are hidden on the computer.
1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file to your Desktop so that we can access the file easily.
Sophos Virus Removal Tool Download Link
2. After downloading, navigate to the file location and double-click it. This will start the installation procedure. User Account Control will prompt if you want to run the program, click Yes to continue.
3. On initial launch of the program, it will display a welcome screen as shown in the image below. Click Next to start the installation procedure.
4. Next, you need to accept the license agreement before Sophos Virus Removal Tool can be installed onto the computer. Choose ‘I accept the terms in the license agreement’. Then, click Next button.
5. On the next prompts, please click appropriate button to proceed. At the end of the installation process, it will display InstallShield Wizard Completed. Just leave the Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool with a check mark. Then, click Finish.
6. The tool will download necessary updates so Internet connection is required at this point. Lastly, Sophos Virus Removal Tool displays the welcome screen.
7. Click on Start Scanning button to begin checking the system for presence of rootkit and virus. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Sweetpacks-search.com. It also detects and removes other malicious files.
Stage 2: Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner
1. Download the tool called AdwCleaner from the location stated below.
Click here to download AdwCleaner (this will open a new window)
2. Once you have completed the download, please close all running programs on the computer.
3. Locate the file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on Scan button.
4. It searches for presence of harmful programs, plug-ins, add-ons, or any data that were found malicious and linked to Sweetpacks-search.com. You need to Clean all items detected by this tool.
5. Once scan is done, the tool may need to reboot your computer to finalize the cleaning process.
6. After reboot, AdwCleaner will display the log file of the recent scan.
Stage 3: Remove Sweetpacks-search.com Add-on and Cleanup the Browser
After the previous scans, you may have deleted Sweetpacks-search.com from the affected browser. This next step will ensure that no more module of adware will be left on the browser. This free tool scans and checks the browser for unwanted add-on and extension, and if found, Avast Browser Cleanup will give you a report and suggestion.
1. Download this free tool and save it to your desktop.
Avast Browser Cleanup Download Link (This will open in a new window)
2. Please install the program. Start the process by double-clicking on the executable file avast-browser-cleanup-sfx.exe.
3. When run, Avast Browser Cleanup performs a test on the browser. If unwanted entries were found, it will display a button ‘Remove all add-ons listed below and cleanup browser.’ You may remove all or delete one entry at a time.
4. Avast Browser Cleanup will confirm before it permanently deletes the add-on. Please click Yes to proceed with the removal of Sweetpacks-search.com on the affected browser.
Option: Alternative Method to Clean Up Internet Browser from Sweetpacks-search.com
Cleaning your internet browser from clutter and unwanted add-on/extension is a must when dealing with Sweetpacks-search.com. The procedure below discuss on resetting various browsers to its default state.
Remove Sweetpacks-search.com from Google Chrome
1. Open Google Chrome application.
2. In the address bar please type this string: chrome://settings/ and then, press Enter on keyboard.
3. Scroll down to bottom, then click Advanced…
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page until you see Reset and Clean Up section.
5. Click on Restore settings to their original defaults. If it prompts for confirmation, please click Reset Settings button to proceed.
This function will reset your home page, new tab page, search engine, and other areas affected by Sweetpacks-search.com. Unwanted extensions will also be removed from the browser. This will not affect your bookmarks, history, and other saved data. You may also run Chrome Cleanup function from this page. An integrated tool from Google Chrome but with more advanced Adware scanner feature.
Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default
This section describes how to remove unwanted extension from Firefox that may be related to Sweetpacks-search.com.. 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 specific extension, please see manual removal of add-on from Firefox.
1. Navigate to Firefox menu at the top of the browser and access the Help area. Click on Troubleshooting Information.
2. A new tab will appear. You will notice a section on upper-right corner of the screen stating Give Firefox a tuneup. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
3. If confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
4. Firefox browser will close and start the resetting process. When done, it will display a list of restored data. Sweetpacks-search.com should be gone by now. Click Finish to open a fresh version of Firefox.
Restore Internet Explorer to Default Settings
1. Open Internet Explorer and navigate to top menu. Click Tools, and then Internet Options.
2. Select Advanced tab on Internet Options window.
3. On lower part of the window, under Reset Internet Explorer Settings area, click the Reset button. Please see image for reference.
Your data like favorites, bookmark, and history will remain it the browser. However, this process may delete add-ons by Sweetpacks-search.com and other unknown objects. If you prefer to carry out the procedure manually, please add-on removal from Internet Explorer.
