SmashApp

SmashApp

The alteration of the homepage into an unfamiliar website and the substitution of the default search engine without consent are observable modifications typically instigated by SmashApp. Additionally, an influx of intrusive pop-up ads and banners may deluge users’ browsing sessions, causing irritation and impeding seamless navigation. Undesired browser extensions or toolbars associated with SmashApp may also surface, modifying the browser’s interface. Furthermore, attempts to access familiar websites could result in unforeseen redirections to unfamiliar or suspicious domains. These changes collectively signify a browser hijacking, necessitating immediate action to reinstate normal web browsing.

SmashApp virus
When you use Google to search the page is redirected by the SmashApp virus to another unknown search page with limited results

Is SmashApp safe?

In some instances, users may only encounter minor inconveniences, such as alterations in search results and an uptick in advertisements. However, at times, a browser hijacker like SmashApp can lead to issues like system instability, diminished browser performance, and potential exposure to more severe security threats.

SmashApp Virus

While traversing the web, the SmashApp virus can be quite assertive. It possesses the ability to direct you to websites that were not part of your plans. These websites often promote products or services for which you have no interest. To exacerbate matters, it bombards you with ads that persistently linger, resisting any attempts to make them vanish. If you’re contemplating restoring your web browser to its customary settings, unfortunately, the answer is no. The sole effective solution to regain command of your online activities is to eradicate the SmashApp virus from your computer.

What is SmashApp?

SmashApp is categorized as a browser hijacker because it alters a user’s web browser settings without seeking permission. These alterations may involve redirecting the user to undesirable websites, modifying the homepage, search engine, or introducing unfamiliar toolbars and extensions. The creators of SmashApp typically engage in such activities to generate revenue through methods like pay-per-click advertising or other intrusive means. While it’s not as detrimental as viruses or malware, SmashApp can still compromise users’ privacy and diminish overall satisfaction. That’s why it’s crucial to identify and remove it promptly to maintain a secure online environment.

SmashApp Pop-ups

When unexpected SmashApp pop-up advertisements suddenly manifest all over your screen, this can understandably raise concerns. Although these pop-ups aren’t inherently harmful, they can inadvertently expose users to various risks. They might entice users to click on misleading or malicious content, potentially resulting in issues like downloading malware, falling for phishing scams, or experiencing data theft. Engaging with these SmashApp pop-ups could redirect users to deceitful websites, persuade them to share sensitive information, or even trigger the installation of unwarranted and potentially harmful software. This interaction can put both online security and privacy at risk, potentially causing financial loss, identity theft, and unauthorized access to personal data.

SmashApp on Chrome

If you discover SmashApp or Ssj4.io on a popular web browser like Chrome and encounter difficulties in eliminating it, do not hesitate to uninstall any suspicious applications that you cannot recall installing and remove any new extensions that lack your approval. Subsequently, access your browser’s settings to manually reinstate your preferred homepage and default search engine settings. This should aid in eradicating SmashApp on Chrome. For added assurance, consider conducting a comprehensive scan of your system using trusted antivirus software capable of identifying and removing potential threats linked to the browser hijacker.

Smash App

A clear indication that your browser has been hijacked is when it starts redirecting you to the Smash App without your consent. Your browser typically navigates to this site on its own, and you may not have intended to visit it. This occurs because the hijacker has tampered with your browser’s settings, and the primary motive behind these automatic redirects is financial gain for the hijacker’s operators. They exploit your web browsing for profit, leading you to websites you never intended to visit.

SUMMARY:

NameSmashApp
TypeBrowser Hijacker
Detection Tool

How to Remove SmashApp

To try and remove SmashApp quickly you can try this:

  1. Go to your browser’s settings and select More Tools (or Add-ons, depending on your browser).
  2. Then click on the Extensions tab.
  3. Look for the SmashApp extension (as well as any other unfamiliar ones).
  4. Remove SmashApp by clicking on the Trash Bin icon next to its name.
  5. Confirm and get rid of SmashApp and any other suspicious items.

If this does not work as described please follow our more detailed SmashApp removal guide below.

If you have a Windows virus, continue with the guide below.

If you have a Mac virus, please use our How to remove Ads on Mac guide.

If you have an Android virus, please use our Android Malware Removal guide.

If you have an iPhone virus, please use our iPhone Virus Removal guide.


Some of the steps may require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.
Next, Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).

Step1 Uninstall the SmashApp app and kill its processes

The first thing you must try to do is look for any sketchy installs on your computer and uninstall anything you think may come from SmashApp. After that, you’ll also need to get rid of any processes that may be related to the unwanted app by searching for them in the Task Manager.

Note that sometimes an app, especially a rogue one, may ask you to install something else or keep some of its data (such as settings files) on your PC – never agree to that when trying to delete a potentially rogue software. You need to make sure that everything is removed from your PC to get rid of the malware. Also, if you aren’t allowed to go through with the uninstallation, proceed with the guide, and try again after you’ve completed everything else.

  • Uninstalling the rogue app
  • Killing any rogue processes

Type Apps & Features in the Start Menu, open the first result, sort the list of apps by date, and look for suspicious recently installed entries.

Click on anything you think could be linked to SmashApp, then select uninstall, and follow the prompts to delete the app.

delete suspicious SmashApp apps

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, click More Details (if it’s not already clicked), and look for suspicious entries that may be linked to SmashApp.

If you come across a questionable process, right-click it, click Open File Location, scan the files with the free online malware scanner shown below, and then delete anything that gets flagged as a threat.

Each file will be scanned with up to 64 antivirus programs to ensure maximum accuracy
This scanner is free and will always remain free for our website's users.
This file is not matched with any known malware in the database. You can either do a full real-time scan of the file or skip it to upload a new file. Doing a full scan with 64 antivirus programs can take up to 3-4 minutes per file.
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    Delete SmashApp files and quit its processes.

    After that, if the rogue process is still visible in the Task Manager, right-click it again and select End Process.

    Step2 Undo SmashApp changes made to different system settings

    It’s possible that SmashApp has affected various parts of your system, making changes to their settings. This can enable the malware to stay on the computer or automatically reinstall itself after you’ve seemingly deleted it. Therefore, you need to check the following elements by going to the Start Menu, searching for specific system elements that may have been affected, and pressing Enter to open them and see if anything has been changed there without your approval. Then you must undo any unwanted changes made to these settings in the way shown below:

    • DNS
    • Hosts
    • Startup
    • Task
      Scheduler
    • Services
    • Registry

    Type in Start Menu: View network connections

    Right-click on your primary network, go to Properties, and do this:

    Undo DNS changes made by SmashApp

    Type in Start Menu: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

    Delete SmashApp IPs from Hosts

    Type in the Start Menu: Startup apps

    Disable SmashApp startup apps

    Type in the Start Menu: Task Scheduler

    Delete SmashApp scheduled tasks

    Type in the Start Menu: Services

    Disable SmashApp services

    Type in the Start Menu: Registry Editor

    Press Ctrl + F to open the search window

    Clear the Registry from SmashApp items

    Step3 Remove SmashApp from your browsers

    • Delete SmashApp from Chrome
    • Delete SmashApp from Firefox
    • Delete SmashApp from Edge
    1. Go to the Chrome menu > More tools > Extensions, and toggle off and Remove any unwanted extensions.
    2. Next, in the Chrome Menu, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data > Advanced. Tick everything except Passwords and click OK.
    3. Go to Privacy & Security > Site Settings > Notifications and delete any suspicious sites that are allowed to send you notifications. Do the same in Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
    4. Go to Appearance and if there’s a suspicious URL in the Custom web address field, delete it.
    1. Firefox menu, go to Add-ons and themes > Extensions, toggle off any questionable extensions, click their three-dots menu, and click Remove.
    2. Open Settings from the Firefox menu, go to Privacy & Security > Clear Data, and click Clear.
    3. Scroll down to Permissions, click Settings on each permission, and delete from it any questionable sites.
    4. Go to the Home tab, see if there’s a suspicious URL in the Homepage and new windows field, and delete it.
    1. Open the browser menu, go to Extensions, click Manage Extensions, and Disable and Remove any rogue items.
    2. From the browser menu, click Settings > Privacy, searches, and services > Choose what to clear, check all boxes except Passwords, and click Clear now.
    3. Go to the Cookies and site permissions tab, check each type of permission for permitted rogue sites, and delete them.
    4. Open the Start, home, and new tabs section, and if there’s a rogue URL under Home button, delete it.


    About the author

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    Lidia Howler

    Lidia is a web content creator with years of experience in the cyber-security sector. She helps readers with articles on malware removal and online security. Her strive for simplicity and well-researched information provides users with easy-to-follow It-related tips and step-by-step tutorials.

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