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Remove CWS.Smartsearch from Chrome, Firefox, IE



Threat's profile Threat indicator: HIGH

Name of the threat:CWS.Smartsearch

Command or file name:winlogin.exe

Threat type:Hijacker

Affected OS:Win32/Win64 (Windows XP, Vista/7, 8/8.1, Windows 10)

Affected browsers:Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari

After gathering this information, the CWS.Smartsearch then transfers that data to another PC, usually for commersializing purposes. CWS.Smartsearch is draft your machine when user unknowingly install the creation when they install something else. It's often when CWS.Smartsearch display advertisings. Wheen CWS.Smartsearch display advertisings pop-ups when a buyer fails to remove CWS.Smartsearch. A lot of users habitually ignore licenses of software allowing CWS.Smartsearch installing on their PCs. CWS.Smartsearch that comes bundled with shareware products programs may be described in the agreements text, especially in case with CWS.Smartsearch removal tools when consumer wants to remove CWS.Smartsearch.


CWS.Smartsearch intrusion method

Usually CWS.Smartsearch comes bundled with freeware downloads. During installation you can be offered to change default homepage and search engine to CWS.Smartsearch. CWS.Smartsearch copies its file(s) to your hard disk. Its typical file name is winlogin.exe. Then it creates new startup key with name CWS.Smartsearch and value winlogin.exe. You can also find it in your processes list with name winlogin.exe or CWS.Smartsearch. Also, it can create folder with name CWS.Smartsearch under C:\Program Files\ or C:\ProgramData. If you have further questions about CWS.Smartsearch, please ask below. You can use programs to remove CWS.Smartsearch from your browsers below.


Download Removal Tool

Download this advanced removal tool and solve problems with CWS.Smartsearch and winlogin.exe (download of fix will start immediately):

Download WiperSoft Antispyware to remove CWS.Smartsearch

* WiperSoft Antispyware was developed to remove threats like CWS.Smartsearch in automatic mode. Remover has active module to protect PC from hijackers, trojans, ransomware and other viruses. Trial version of Wipersoft provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Wipersoft.


Features of WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool

  • Removes all files created by viruses.
  • Removes all registry entries created by viruses.
  • You can activate System and Network Guards and forget about malware.
  • Can fix browser problems and protect browser settings.
  • Removal is guaranteed - if Removal Tool fails ask for FREE support.
  • 24/7 Spyware Helpdesk Support included into the package.

    • Download Spyhunter Remediation Tool by Enigma Software

    Download antimalware designed specifically to remove threats like CWS.Smartsearch and winlogin.exe (download of fix will start immediately):

    Download AntiMalware to remove CWS.Smartsearch

    Features of Spyhunter Remediation Tool

    • Removes all files created by CWS.Smartsearch.
    • Removes all registry entries created by CWS.Smartsearch.
    • Fixes browser redirection and hijack if needed.
    • "Toolbar Remover" tool will help you get rid of unwanted browser extensions.
    • Removal is guaranteed - if Spyhunter Remediation Tool fails ask for FREE support.
    • 24/7 Helpdesk Support and 5 hours of Remote Support via GoToAssist included into the package.


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Software Industry Professionals Member Threat's description and solution are developed by Security Stronghold security team.

Here you can also learn:


How to remove CWS.Smartsearch manually

This problem can be solved manually by deleting all registry keys and files connected with CWS.Smartsearch, removing it from startup list and unregistering all corresponding DLLs. Additionally missing DLL's should be restored from distribution in case they are corrupted by CWS.Smartsearch.

To get rid of CWS.Smartsearch, you should:

1. Kill the following processes and delete the appropriate files:

  • msxmlfilt.dll
  • critical.exe
  • directx32.exe
  • exploreer.exe
  • iiexplorer.exe
  • notepad32.exe
  • win32e.exe
  • winmgnt.exe

Warning: you should delete only those files which checksums are listed as malicious. There may be valid files with the same names in your system. We recommend you to use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool for safe problem solution.

**Trial version of Wipersoft provides detection of computer viruses for FREE. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Wipersoft.

2. Delete the following malicious folders:

  • %programfiles%\Common Files\Services\

3. Delete the following malicious registry entries and\or values:

  • Key: software\microsoft\internet explorerinternet0%\Main
    Value: Default_Page_URL
    Data: http://smartsearch.ws
  • Key: software\microsoft\internet explorerinternet0%\Main
    Value: Default_Search_URL
    Data: http://smartsearch.ws/?q=
  • Key: software\microsoft\internet explorerinternet0%\Main
    Value: Search Bar
    Data: http://smartsearch.ws/?q=
  • Key: software\microsoft\internet explorerinternet0%\Main
    Value: Search Page
    Data: http://smartsearch.ws/?q=
  • Key: software\microsoft\internet explorerinternet0%\Main
    Value: Start Page
    Data: http://smartsearch.ws
  • Key: software\microsoft\internet explorerinternet0%\Search
    Value: SearchAssistant
    Data: http://smartsearch.ws/?q=
  • Key: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL
    Value: DefaultPrefix
    Data: ~~~http.cc
  • Key: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL
    Value: DefaultPrefix
    Data: http://smartsearch.ws/?q=

Warning: if value is listed for some registry entries, you should only clear these values and leave keys with such values untouched. We recommend you to use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool for safe problem solution.


Uninstall CWS.Smartsearch related programs from Control Panel

We recommend you to check list of installed programs and search for CWS.Smartsearch entry or other unknown and suspicious programs. Below are instructions for different version if Windows. In some cases adware programs are protected by malicious service or process and it will not allow you to uninstall it. If CWS.Smartsearch won't uninstall or gives you error message that you do not have sufficient rights to do this perform below instructions in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking or use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool.


Windows 10

  • Click on the Start menu and choose Settings
  • Then click on System and choose Apps & Features in the left column
  • Find CWS.Smartsearch under in the list and click Uninstall button near it.
  • Confirm by clicking Uninstall button in opened window if necessary.

Windows 8/8.1

  • Right click on the bottom left corner of the screen (while on your desktop)
  • In the menu choose Control Panel
  • Click Uninstall a program under Programs and Features.
  • Locate programs that can be connected with CWS.Smartsearch or other related suspicious program.
  • Click Uninstall button.
  • Wait until uninstall process is complete.

Windows 7/Vista

  • Click Start and choose Control Panel.
  • Choose Programs and Features and Uninstall a program.
  • In the list of installed programs find entries related to CWS.Smartsearch
  • Click Uninstall button.

Windows XP

  • Click Start
  • In the menu choose Control Panel
  • Choose Add / Remove Programs.
  • Find CWS.Smartsearch related entries.
  • Click Remove button.

Remove CWS.Smartsearch related extensions from your browsers

CWS.Smartsearch in some cases can be accompanied with browsers extension. We recommend you to use free option Toolbar Remover under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool to remove unwanted browser extensions related to CWS.Smartsearch. We recommend you to perform scan your PC with Removal Tool or Spyhunter Remediation Tool. To remove extenions from your browsers manually do the following:

Internet Explorer

  • While in Internet Explorer click cogwheel icon in the top right corner
  • In the menu choose the Manage Add-ons
  • Select Toolbar and Extension tab.
  • Choose add-on possibly related to CWS.Smartsearch or other related adware BHO.
  • Click Disable button.

Warning: This option will only disable unwanted plugin. For effective CWS.Smartsearch removal use WiperSoft Antispyware Malware Remediation Tool.

Google Chrome

  • Start Google Chrome.
  • In the address bar type chrome://extensions/
  • In the list of add-ons find related to CWS.Smartsearch and click recycle bin icon.
  • Confirm CWS.Smartsearch removal.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open Firefox
  • In the address bar type about:addons
  • Click Extensions tab.
  • In the list of extension locate ones related to CWS.Smartsearch.
  • Click Remove button near it.

Reset browsers search and homepage settings

CWS.Smartsearch can affect your browsers which results in browser redirection or search hijack. We recommend you to use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool to reset all the browsers at once. Mention that you need to remove all files and kill all processes belonging to CWS.Smartsearch before doing this. To reset your browsers manually and restore your homepage perform the following steps:

Internet Explorer

  • If you use Windows XP, click Start, and then click Run. Type the following in the Open box without quotes, and press Enter: "inetcpl.cpl"
  • If you use Windows 7 or Windows Vista, click Start. Type the following in the Search box without quotes, and press Enter: "inetcpl.cpl"
  • Click the Advanced tab
  • In Reset Internet Explorer settings, click Reset. Click Reset in opened window again.
  • Select Delete personal settings checkbox to remove browsing history, search providers, homepage
  • After Internet Explorer finishes resetting, click Close in the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box

Warning: In case this option will not work use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool.

Google Chrome

  • Go to the installation folder of Google Chrome: C:\Users\"your username"\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\User Data.
  • In the User Data folder, look for a file named as Default and rename it to DefaultBackup.
  • Launch Google Chrome and a new clean Default file will be created.

Warning: This option might not work if in Google Chrome you use online synchronization between PCs. In this case use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open Firefox

  • Go to Help > Troubleshooting Information in menu.
  • Click the Reset Firefox button.
  • After Firefox is done, it will show a window and create folder on the desktop. Click Finish.

Warning: This option will also clean all your account passwords for all websites. If you don't want it use free option Reset Browsers under Tools in Spyhunter Remediation Tool.


Here are the descriptions of problems connected with CWS.Smartsearch and winlogin.exe we received earlier:

Problem Summary: How to clear smart search contacts manually without installimg any softwares in sony ericsson w995

How to clear smart search contacts manually without installimg any softwares in sony ericsson w995.

Problem was successfully solved. Ticket was closed.

Problem Summary: CWS Smartsearch prevents my Antrivirus SW to update

Hello,

I have a virus which is detected by my anti-virus SW. The SW says it has removed the CWS Smartsearch, but when I scan the computer again, then it is still there. Furthermore, the virus seems to prevent me to connect to any of the Antivirus www sites. When I try to connect to the virus SW homepage it cannot be found. And it also prevents my SW to update its anti-virus sw. And from time to time my PC just "freezes" and a hard re-boot is needed to get it start.

Problem was successfully solved. Ticket was closed.

Related pest: vundo removal tool

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