Navsmart(.)info is reportedly the home page of an unwanted program that assumes partial control of web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and others. When the malware hits your computer, it changes your browser’s settings, default home page, and new tab page. The malicious application could also be considered malware, as its search engine displays a massive amount of junk advertisements. Navsmart(.)info also collects personal information from those unfortunate enough to use it. That can sometimes lead to disastrous consequences.
| Name | |
| Main Domain Address | Navsmart.info |
| Solution #1 | The easiest way to remove and other browser hijackers from your computer is with the help of an anti-malware tool. This software will also protect your computer from severe cyber threats like ransomware |
| Solution #2 | You can remove the browser hijacker by hand by carefully following all the guidelines of our step-by-step guide below. |
| Distribution | PUPs, malicious ads, bundle packs. |
Navsmart(.)info browser hijacker – How Does it Spread?
Navsmart(.)info is most likely distributed through bundled packs stored in freeware install programs. Some shady download sites would offer you to install a download application in the form of an .exe file. Once you start the installation, the app would have other programs bundled into the installer. You should avoid doing that, as they’re most likely PUPs or even worse – viruses or malware. To deny these installs, check the Advanced or Custom options while installing any program on your computer. Once there, make sure to deselect the installation of any software you don’t want on your computer. It’s the best course of action while installing any programs, even if they’re published by a big name company. It’s especially important to be extra vigilant while installing files from third-party sources.
Navsmart(.)info – Detailed Analysis
After it’s installed, Navsmart(.)info may be plugged into your browser as an extension. It may also create its system file folder in %Program Files% folder of Windows. Another trick that Navsmart(.)info can pull is to modify the Windows Registry Editor to run active process into the Windows Task Manager. If that wasn’t enough, the hijacker could even escalate its privileges, to the point where it has access to some administrative functions, like the ability to download even more adware on the infected system.
Once infected, your browser’s main page will be switched to Navsmart(.)info. The page has all the markings of a hoax search engine, a vague Privacy Policy, lack of encryption, redirection to another tab when searching. Navsmart(.)info isn’t a secure page, the connection is not private and could be modified.
That can lead to phishing and even insertion of malicious code if the crooks get the opportunity:
Navsmart(.)info also situates cookies linked to a domain which redirects to a Chinese website and to itself as well.
All of these factors can lead to data theft. The crooks can get access to the user’s;
- Browsing history
- Online Clicks
- Online Purchases
- Online searches
- Banners
- Pop-ups
- Browser redirects
- Highlighted text on real websites, leading to custom search results by third party engines.
This information can potentially be used to display different advertisements like;
- Banners
- Pop-ups
- Browser redirects
- Highlighted text on real websites, leading to custom search results by third party engines
The biggest security risk of this type of internet ads is the viruses and malware they often link to. Legitimate businesses seldom rely on adware to promote their products.
Remove Navsmart(.)info Browser Hijacker
To do that, you’ll first need to find all the things Navsmart(.)info has meddled with. They’re often located in the registry keys of your browser. But even when you delete the registry keys, the hijacker still has ways to restore the malicious files. That’s why the best option is to download an anti-malware program, which can make the removal process much easier. You can find more information on how to remove Navsmart(.)info in the guide bellow.
How to Enter Safe Mode
Booting Into Safe Mode in the Windows XP, Vista, 7 operating systems
- Unplug devices such as USB flash drives, Memory Sticks, DVD’s, CD’s, anything that can be bootable
- Now you have to decide which of the following methods is right for your computer. If you have:
- –One operating system on your PC, then press F8 repeatedly when you see the first boot screen after restarting your computer. If the Windows logo appears, repeat the same action until you enter the
–Multiple operating systems on your computer. This is very similar to booting with a single operating system. Press F8 repeatedly when you see the first boot screen. You just have to use the arrow keys to choose which system you should boot. - When the Advanced Boot Options appear, you should select the Safe Mode option with the arrow keys. Confirm the selection by pressing Enter
- Log into your computer using the Administrator account
While you’re in safe mode, your screen will be windowed.
Booting into Safe Mode on the Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 Operating Systems
- Open the Start menu
- Hold down the Shift button and left-click on the Power icon, then click Restart
- After the reboot, the Startup menu will appear. From there, choose Troubleshoot
- From the Troubleshoot menu choose Advanced Options
- Once you’re in Advanced Options, click on Startup Settings
- Click Restart
- A menu should appear after the reboot. Choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding key number. The PC will restart and boot into Safe Mode.
Remove/Uninstall Navsmart(.)info from Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to Uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
- Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R.” You’ll see a pop-up window
- In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press “Enter.”
- The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press Uninstall.
Follow these instructions and you’ll be able to uninstall it successfully.
How to Remove Navsmart(.)info from Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way
Internet Explorer
- Start Internet Explorer
- Go to the Tools menu and click on Manage add-ons.
- In the Manage add-ons window, bellow Add-on Types, select Toolbars and Extensions
- If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click Disable
- In Manage Add-ons window, in Add-on Types, Select Search Providers
- Chose a search engine and click Set as default
- Select the unknown search engine and click Remove and Close
- Open the Tools menu, select Internet Options
- In the General tab, in Home page, enter your preferred page
- Click Apply and OK
- On the desktop, right-click on Internet Explorer icon and select Properties
- In the Properties window, under the Shortcut tab, in Target delete the text after iexplore.exe
- Click Apply, click OK to save
- Click Close
- Start Google Chrome
- On the upper-right corner, there a Customize and Control Google Chrome menu icon. Click on it, then click on Settings
- Click Extension under Chrome
- In the Extensions menu, click on the unknown extensions, then click on the trash bin icon
- Under Chrome, Click on Settings
- In Settings, under on Startup click Set pages
- In the Startup pages menu, select the suspicious entries and click on X
- Click OK
- In Settings, under Appearance select the Show home button and click Change
- In the Home page menu, click Use New Tab page and press OK
- In the Settings window under Search, click on Manage search engines
- Once you enter Search engines, select your search engine of choice and click Make default
- In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on X
- Click Done
- Start Mozilla Firefox
- In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select Add-ons
- Inside the Add-ons Manager select Extensions
- Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click Disable
- Click on the Open menu icon, then click Options
- In the Options window, under General tab, Click Restore to Default
- Click OK
- In the Firefox window, right next to the URL field, click the down arrow icon. Select Manage Search Engines
- In Manage Search Engines List window, select the unknown search engine and press Remove
- Click OK
