What is SMedia?
Did Smedia attract you with its claims to provide you with a search tool that, allegedly, can find relevant results quicker? If that is not the case, it is then likely that you did not install this extension intentionally, or you might not even know how it was installed at all. Cybersecurity experts at Anti-Spyware-101.com have tested the extension in our internal lab, and it is clear that it is not a useful extension. That said, some users might be fooled or confused, and that is because the extension employs Yahoo Search. Keep reading to learn why this search engine cannot be trusted in this case. You also should continue reading to learn how to delete Smedia from Google Chrome. At the time of analysis, this appeared to be the only web browser compatible with the PUP (potentially unwanted program). Why is the extension identified as a PUP? That is another thing you can learn by reading this article.
How does Smedia work?
Although it does not look like Smedia has a website set up to promote it or its installer, our researchers have found that it is still represented via the Chrome Web Store, a platform that promotes all legitimate and popular Chrome-compatible extensions. Unfortunately, because PUPs are in the gray zone, they are not always taken down or taken down quickly enough. Of course, it is better if you downloaded the PUP from chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/smedia/hmpmalngfnhbmbdkdnlehcfpdmpaidim rather than some random websites that could use Smedia as bait to represent malware. Software bundles are quite common, and you might have even encountered harmless ones. However, if you executed a bundle that introduced you to the PUP, perhaps you installed it along with other unwanted and even malicious extensions or programs? If you are not sure about that, employ a malware scanner that you know is trustworthy. This scanner will determine if there is anything besides the PUP that you must remove. Obviously, whatever is found, you want to eliminate it as soon as possible.
The screenshot we have added to this article represents smedia.xyz, which is a search engine that offers easy-access links to popular websites. That said, it is unlikely that you have encountered the search engine in this form. More likely, you encountered search.smedia.xyz/chrome/newtab/search.aspx?q=, which should take over as your default search provider. Wasn’t it Yahoo Search that the PUP introduced? Well, here’s the catch, search.smedia.xyz/chrome/newtab/search.aspx?q= redirects to search.yahoo.com. When you are redirected, your search results are modified as well, and instead of normal Yahoo Search results, you are introduced to sponsored content. We do not know whose advertisements can be injected by the PUP, but if you think that you can benefit from the service, you have to think again. It is the creator of the PUP and the associated advertisers who benefit from it. Can you turn the situation around and make the extension work for you? From what we have seen, that is unlikely, and for the sake of clearing space and distancing from useless tools/services, we suggest removing Smedia.
How to delete Smedia
If you have yet to scan your system, this is the time to do it. Hopefully, Smedia entered your system on its own, but if additional threats were downloaded, you have to make sure that you eradicate them quickly. How can you do it? You can identify every threat individually and then look up manual removal guides on our website. Or you can install an anti-malware program that will delete everything at once. An anti-malware tool is what you need, and once it removes Smedia along with all other threats, it can ensure full-time protection against PUPs and more serious infections. If you are not prepared for this move yet, follow the instructions below. They show how to delete unwanted extensions from Chrome and also how to clear browsing data from the same browser.
Removal Instructions
- Launch Google Chrome and tap keys Alt+F on the keyboard both at the same time.
- In the Chrome menu at the top, click More tools and then Extensions.
- Identify the extension that you want to get rid of and then click Remove.
- Tap keys Ctrl+Shift+Delete on the keyboard to open the Clear browsing data menu.
- In the Advanced menu, select the appropriate time range and boxes and click Clear data.
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