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Smart Security

For Information and Removal of Smart Security

Smart Security

Despite its name, Smart Security is not a program that you want on your computer.  It is a rogue antivirus program designed to convince you that you have security threats and that you need to buy their software.  How do you recognize a rogue antivirus program?  And most importantly, how can you remove Smart Security and keep your computer running optimally?

The Rogue Antivirus Program Smart Security

There is a host of rogue antivirus programs in the virtual world, and Smart Security, which is related to Security Tool or SecurityTool, behaves like the majority of them.  The goal is to convince you to purchase their software.  To do this, they issue pop-up after pop-up and false scan results indicating that there are several risks to your system.  The hope is that you will see these alerts, and then opt to buy their software in order to resolve the issues before considering it too thoroughly.  They want a spontaneous and quick reaction borne out of your need and desire to protect your computer and data.  Learning to recognize the signs that a rogue antivirus program like Smart Security is in your system can help prevent that. 

Smart Security in Your System

Immediately upon entering your computer, Smart Security goes into a dormancy stage.  It flies under the radar, so to speak, in order to evade detection by legitimate antivirus programs.  During this time, the program can alter your security settings so it can run unhindered.  After that point, Smart Security will launch itself each time you boot up your computer so it can run its security scans. It displays a list of either legitimate files or harmless files it has created and indicates that they are corrupt.  These scans are nothing more than advertisements; Smart Security does not and cannot conduct a scan of your system, but it does hope to create that impression through false scan results and copious amounts of pop-up warning messages.

A typical scan results window issued by Smart Security will mimic those of legitimate programs.  Looking carefully, however, you will see that the name is clearly printed at the top.  It is not the name of the legitimate antivirus program you have installed, so this is a clear and definitive sign that Smart Security has gained access to your system.  Again, the program hopes to look urgent enough with its list of "corrupted files" and "security threats" for you to act quickly. 

You will also notice a flood of security alerts, whether you are online or off.  These can appear randomly as you browse online, or Smart Security can create flashing icons on your system tray and/or desktop.  When you click on such an icon, a warning message is opened.  These warnings are typically worded very strongly and center around threats people are more apt to act on immediately, such as password stealing, data loss, system instability, and remote attacks.  Here are two common Smart Security alerts:

Smart Security Warning

Some critical system files of your computer were modified by a malicious program. It may cause system instability and data loss.  Click here to block unauthorised modification by removing threats (Recommended).

Smart Security Warning

Spyware.IEMonster activity detected.  This is spyware that attempts to steal passwords from Internet Explorer, Mozilla Foxfire, Outlook and other programs.  Click here to remove it immediately with SecurityTool.

These are false alarms; there are no password stealers or malicious programs.  These are ads created by Smart Security to persuade you to buy their useless software. 

Smart Security, like many rogue antivirus programs, can alter your browser settings.  When you attempt to navigate to your home page, conduct a search, or visit another address, you will often be redirected to a rogue website designed to persuade you to buy Smart Security.  It further builds the illusion of security threats and the urgency to purchase the software.  Another change that Smart Security can make is to block you from running your legitimate security programs.  This allows the program to continue running and bolsters their claim that there are ongoing issues with your system. 

Finally, rogue antivirus programs create a slowdown in your computer's operation.  It runs in the background every time you start your computer, which diverts necessary resources from your programs. 

If left in your system, Smart Security may eventually make it very difficult for you to navigate online.  It may also exploit security vulnerabilities, which leaves a door through which other forms of malware may enter. 

How Smart Security Gains Access to Your System

Two of the most common ways that rogue antivirus programs enter your computer are by user-installation and by Trojans.  User-installation is just that: the computer user, persuaded by unceasing pop-ups, opts to buy what turns out to be ineffective software.  This happens because people understandably want to protect their computers and personal data from security risks.  Unfortunately, not only does the program not work to remove threats, they have spent money on it. 

But Smart Security can access your system without your knowledge through Trojans.  These are most commonly associated with adult sites, but they are also known to affect sites offering free videos or shareware, as well as spam email attachments.  Downloading an affected video, clicking on an ad, or simply visiting such a site can allow the Trojans to come in and bring Smart Security and other forms of malware along with them.

Smart Security Removal

Many computer owners' first instinct is to use their current antivirus program to eliminate Smart Security or simply uninstall it.  The first course of action is not effective because rogue antivirus programs are not viruses and they are designed to evade the detection and removal efforts of these programs.  The second may remove surface traces of Smart Security but it is adept at hiding in your system registry and replicating after removal attempts.

This leaves you with two options: manual or automatic removal.  Automatic removal is recommended for everyone, especially those with limited technical experience.  A program like Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes has free malware removal) is designed to detect and remove rogue antivirus programs so you can be sure every trace will be removed quickly, safely, and effectively. 

Manual removal is more complex, and it is recommended only for those with extensive knowledge of computers and their systems.  You have to make sure to remove every trace of Smart Security while not removing a necessary, legitimate file.  This can be tedious work.  If you have the time and expertise, try the following:

Stop Processes:

SmartSecurity.exe
Unins000.exe

Delete Files and folders:

%Documents and Settings%All UsersDesktopSmart Security.lnk
%Documents and Settings%All UsersStart MenuProgramsSmart Security
%Documents and Settings%All UsersStart MenuProgramsSmart SecurityUninstall Smart Security.lnk
%Documents and Settings%All UsersStart MenuProgramsSmart SecuritySmart Security.lnk
%Program Files%Smart Security
%Program Files%Smart SecuritySmartSecurity.exe
%Program Files%Smart Securityunins000.dat
%Program Files%Smart Securityunins000.exe

Remove Registry Keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallSmart Security_is1
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun "SmartSecurity"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun "SmartSecurity"

Removing Smart Security Automatically/Safely

For free automatic removal we recommend using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. This program is widely recommended by reputable third-party sites, so you can be reasonably confident of its ability to safely get rid of Smart Security and any hidden Trojans. As a precaution we recommend double checking your system with Spyware Doctor. This program requires paid registration to enable deletions, however it has a money back guaranteed and is the top of the line in malware removal. It should catch malware that evades Malwarebytes and block anything that tries to reinstal itself.

Remove Smart Security Now:

1. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Spyware Doctor  
2. Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
3. Remove all the detected infections (free).
4. Run a scan with Spyware Doctor
5. Remove any remaining infections
6. Reboot and rescan with Spyware Doctor. Your computer should now be clean.

Important note: If Malwarebytes is blocked by malware then run Chameleon (Start Menu → All Programs → MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware → Tools → Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Chameleon). If you need further help removing Smart Security please email us at info@removeadware.com.au or call for personal assistance on toll-free number 888-655-3453, within the USA and Canada.

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