Adware.Smartsearch - Removal

The following instructions pertain to all Symantec antivirus products that support Security Risk detection.

1. Update the definitions.
2. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Adware.SmartSearch.
3. Reset the Internet Explorer Home and Search pages.
4. Delete the values that were added to the registry.
   

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. Updating the definitions
To obtain the most recent definitions, start your Symantec program and run LiveUpdate.

2. Scanning for and deleting the files

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and run a full system scan.
2. If any files are detected as Adware.SmartSearch, note their names (which will be helpful in step 3), and then click Delete.
   
   

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   Note: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, write down the path and file name. Then use Windows Explorer to locate and delete the file.

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3. Resetting the Internet Explorer Home and Search pages

1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
2. Click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
3. Select the Programs tab.
4. Click Reset Web Settings.
5. Make sure that the "Also reset my home page" option is checked.
6. Click Yes.
7. Click OK, and then click OK again.
   
   This will reset the Internet Explorer Home and Search pages to their default settings.

4. Deleting the values from the registry

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WARNING: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.

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1. Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
2. Type regedit
   
   Then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
   
   
3. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   
4. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "SystemEmergency"="<path to file detected as Adware.SmartSearch>"
   
   
5. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
   
   
6. In the right pane, delete the value:
   
   "SystemEmergency"="<path to file detected as Adware.SmartSearch>"
   
   
7. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\DefaultPrefix
   
   
8. In the right pane, restore the value:
   
   "(Default)"
   
   to its correct value. This value is normally "http://" (without quotes).
   
   
9. Navigate to the key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\Prefixes
   
   
10. In the right pane, restore the value:
    
    "www"
    
    to its correct value. This is normally "http://" (without quotes).
    
    
11. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
    
    
12. In the right pane, restore the values:
    
    • "Search"
    • "SearchURL"
      
      to their correct values or delete them.
      
      
13. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    
    
14. In the right pane, restore the values:
    
    "Start Page"
    
    to its correct values or delete them.
    
    
15. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer
    
    
16. In the right pane, restore the values:
    
    • "Search"
    • "SearchURL"
      
      to their correct values or delete them.
      
      
17. Navigate to the key:
    
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    
    
18. In the right pane, restore the values:
    
    • "Default_Page_URL"
    • "Default_Search_URL"
    • "Search Bar"
      
      to their correct values or delete them.
      
      
19. Exit the Registry Editor.

Technical Details