Solved How to Put Smarter Shopper Out of Biz

[gplea]

I'm as fervent believer in capitalism as anyone, but I want to put this adware Smarter Shopper into a bottomless abyss. Where can I go to bring the law down on them like a sledge-hammer. I went to the trouble of going to their website after trying to use their suggestion to uninstall their crap off my PC; which wasn't even a valid process, let alone did it work. So, when I lodged an official complaint, I had to wait at least a week for their response, which only said they had resolved the issue. THIS is my REAL, LEGIT complaint. I'm thinking of going to RipOff Report.com. Does anyone know any other effective resources?

Thanks,
GPL

 

[Computer0304]

You may be able to file a complaint to the FCC but I'm no expert in all these legal related things. And remember, the government is slowly closing down malicious companies.
Edit: Never mind I think CERT would be better. http://www.us-cert.gov

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I'm confused,
Are you needing removal process instructions ?
Search for "smart shopper" - MalwareTips.com

 

[gplea]

ThrashZone,
Thanks for the tip; however, the 1st step where it advises to uninstall Smart Shopper from your Cntrl Pnl is false. It's listed NOWHERE on the list of apps. Also, I am ALWAYS very cautious when installing stuff. Not to argue with you, and I'm running MalwareBytes as I type this. Ironically, there was a Smarter Shopper ad for MalwareBytes as I was downloading it.

 

[UsernameIssues]

ThrashZone,
Thanks for the tip; however, the 1st step where it advises to uninstall Smart Shopper from your Cntrl Pnl is false. It's listed NOWHERE on the list of apps. Also, I am ALWAYS very cautious when installing stuff. Not to argue with you, and I'm running MalwareBytes as I type this. Ironically, there was a Smarter Shopper ad for MalwareBytes as I was downloading it.

No, it is not false.

You need to understand that there are several ways for installers to install this junk.

Some installers do add the normal installation process to Control Panel > Programs and Features





Just because the installer that got by you (and your antivirus) did not happen to create the normal uninstall process - does not mean that the instructions to look there are wrong/bad/false!

By the way, if you use IE10 or IE11 with 64bit tabs enabled, then most of this junk won't run.

 

[Britton30]

I wonder why you'd install it? I've never installed something due to an ad of any kind. This is how they make money, preying on the uninformed.

More care is in order to avoid getting stuck with things like Smarter Shopper.

 

[UsernameIssues]

~~~
I'm thinking of going to RipOff Report.com. Does anyone know any other effective resources?
~~~

Don't waste your time with RipOff Report for things like this. People will be searching for ways to remove it. If they do research it, the top returns will be about how to remove the malware. That should be enough to prevent others from installing it. You are not going to harm this company's reputation by adding a rant to RipOff Reports because this is not an item that people research first before "buying".

~~~
Ironically, there was a Smarter Shopper ad for MalwareBytes as I was downloading it.

If you are visiting websites while the smart shopper add-on / tooolbar is active, then such adverts are to be expected. The add-on looks for key words on the page and presents related adverts.

I wonder why you'd install it? I've never installed something due to an ad......

I don't think that the OP said that it was installed because of an advert.

 

[gplea]

So, I read thru the entire article this time. I've run all 3 utils it recommended, as well as uninstalled any suspicious apps, and/or Extensions. I'm not seeing any ads or popups right now. Hopefully, I'm done.

 

[Britton30]

I'm as fervent believer in capitalism as anyone, but I want to put this adware Smarter Shopper into a bottomless abyss. Where can I go to bring the law down on them like a sledge-hammer. I went to the trouble of going to their website after trying to use their suggestion to uninstall their crap off my PC; which wasn't even a valid process, let alone did it work. So, when I lodged an official complaint, I had to wait at least a week for their response, which only said they had resolved the issue. THIS is my REAL, LEGIT complaint. I'm thinking of going to RipOff Report.com. Does anyone know any other effective resources?

Thanks,
GPL

I wonder why you'd install it? I've never installed something due to an ad......

I don't think that the OP said that it was installed because of an advert.

There. Not installed perhaps, but still used something from something he's trying to get rid of. Seems like throwing gas in a fire to put it out?

 

[UsernameIssues]

I'm as fervent believer in capitalism as anyone, but I want to put this adware Smarter Shopper into a bottomless abyss. Where can I go to bring the law down on them like a sledge-hammer. I went to the trouble of going to their website after trying to use their suggestion to uninstall their crap off my PC; which wasn't even a valid process, let alone did it work. So, when I lodged an official complaint, I had to wait at least a week for their response, which only said they had resolved the issue. THIS is my REAL, LEGIT complaint. I'm thinking of going to RipOff Report.com. Does anyone know any other effective resources?

Thanks,
GPL

I wonder why you'd install it? I've never installed something due to an ad......

I don't think that the OP said that it was installed because of an advert.

There. Not installed perhaps, but still used something from something he's trying to get rid of. Seems like throwing gas in a fire to put it out?

Ahh, I see how that could be interpreted that way now. Thanks.

I guessed that the Smart Shopper (SS) app was came in with some other install (hence, no clear uninstall named SS) & that the OP went to their website looking for help to get rid of the SS app.

Scanning with a barrage of tools might make the OP feel better/safer.

I too wish that there was a way to get at these companies...
...but I figure that plenty of people have tried/failed.

 

[ThrashZone]

So, I read thru the entire article this time. I've run all 3 utils it recommended, as well as uninstalled any suspicious apps, and/or Extensions. I'm not seeing any ads or popups right now. Hopefully, I'm done.

Hi,
Yea these items come from download sites adding them to the Free download, toolbars..........
Post where you usually download software CNet......
If you have an issue post/ ask where you downloaded from,
They usually will show in the advanced install options but often do not,
Cheers.

 

[Britton30]

This free program can monitor install and can UNcheck thing you might miss, it has saved me a couple of times.
Unchecky - Keeps your checkboxes clear

 

[gplea]

It's Baack. I'm running SAS, I've run adwcleaner, and Hitman Pro, and I'm still getting all the ads. Everytime I even click on anything while I'm in Chrome it throws up another tab with ads. Right now, I don't see any alternative but to reformat my HDD.

 

[ThrashZone]

I'm sure if you keep downloading from the same sites the issue will return even after format

 

[Britton30]

Yeah, that's very true, you can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

did you try Unchecky?

 

[Layback Bear]

Do you use P2P or a Torrent??

 

[andrew129260]

1.) Download herdprotect: (choose the portable version)

Download herdProtect - Free Anti-Malware Platform

2.) Run the scan.

3.) When the scan finishes, save the results per the screenshot below. Then upload the log here.

DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING YET. I will advise if anything needs removed when I receive the log.

Attached Images

 

[gplea]

Here's the log for the 1st scan.

 

[andrew129260]

Wow....you have a lot of junk here

Run the herdprotect scan again, this time clicking the items I have listed below and clicking action-remove

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\the wedownload manager\49074.xpi
Publisher: 		
MD5: 			c9cb2f0fc00a86c28cdb68e153b6b2ea
SHA-1: 			1e46cdd5d7ee0fd04c76b35e461b390a7dc82955
Created: 		4/6/2014 12:09:02 PM
Detections: 		4

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\the wedownload manager\49074.crx
Publisher: 		
MD5: 			cebbc24d84bda169f262e7c97a1fecea
SHA-1: 			7d798d77178f4ddddb417f24916e7457d18aee77
Created: 		4/6/2014 12:08:58 PM
Detections: 		3

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\the wedownload manager\the wedownload manager-bho64.dll
Publisher: 		weDownload
MD5: 			cbd0a348e3a35e69d7cc3ab816fdec7f
SHA-1: 			a486ef6700a7967a3f76ef069421cc7ef1c0793c
Created: 		4/6/2014 12:09:13 PM
Detections: 		6

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\hosts_anti_adwares_pups\hosts_anti-adware_main.exe
Publisher: 		
MD5: 			c1db9bdf885c2f1adc15264fbea2788f
SHA-1: 			938a71b4134de7f37b125ac48eac18a8a1db4085
Created: 		4/10/2014 7:29:01 PM
Detections: 		12

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\hosts_anti_adwares_pups\hosts_anti-adware.exe
Publisher: 		
MD5: 			59538d76ea7d0fe8283d72265833e0e4
SHA-1: 			724abd1ecb3a1cd566c57470a485a72f296dc2e4
Created: 		4/10/2014 7:28:57 PM
Detections: 		12

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\the wedownload manager\utils.exe
Publisher: 		
MD5: 			b6943df0c6d09b1e1846d5fec737a1da
SHA-1: 			d3d31fea9505b979ce71bd97827dc551de8e8421
Created: 		4/6/2014 12:08:55 PM
Detections: 		5

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\the wedownload manager\ea727281-8281-467f-bafd-cf5fb6f1777a-5.exe
Publisher: 		weDownload
MD5: 			f742c59be1a1554a73491540563e352b
SHA-1: 			801df77ee439dc2382ba385a200d73326d8eb6ec
Created: 		4/6/2014 12:09:18 PM
Detections: 		4

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\the wedownload manager\ea727281-8281-467f-bafd-cf5fb6f1777a-4.exe
Publisher: 		weDownload
MD5: 			a01ba938c93678f2e2aaae11df9259b8
SHA-1: 			69d8a3c4bc8e4847b1ee0a37c272b9302d62a55f
Created: 		4/6/2014 12:09:02 PM
Detections: 		4

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\the wedownload manager\ea727281-8281-467f-bafd-cf5fb6f1777a-3.exe
Publisher: 		weDownload
MD5: 			20f57566af85c315bed57667fea3c92e
SHA-1: 			66bccae5319e8cf7fed0a2c4711b114e2d74e20a
Created: 		4/6/2014 12:08:59 PM
Detections: 		4
Determination: 		Adware

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\the wedownload manager\ea727281-8281-467f-bafd-cf5fb6f1777a-2.exe
Publisher: 		weDownload
MD5: 			0239b4ad3709e58629390a4d934613ae
SHA-1: 			59a3aaf56e9f62b0c8834639651744f5889ac720
Created: 		4/6/2014 12:09:14 PM
Detections: 		5

File path: 		c:\users\trr-office\appdata\local\google\chrome\user data\default\extensions\ecoccdldklbjglocbgbfpmpehjegkode\1.26.56_0\manifest.json
Publisher: 		
MD5: 			4f86f1ca201c283eba119a668688ecf7
SHA-1: 			72b77cfb3acba85829c1f7dd02d174e085bc081b
Created: 		4/23/2014 8:14:15 PM
Detections: 		1
Determination: 		Adware

Uninstall any iobit products first (like driverbooster), before removing with herdprotect. If it still shows up in herdprotect.

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\iobit\driver booster\autoupdate.exe
Publisher: 		IObit
Signer: 		IObit Information Technology
MD5: 			498df557613771ecc3178a626d0c15f2
SHA-1: 			2f6a6423590ceb6a053e81e1c67474e82d01a305
Created: 		2/19/2014 11:21:56 AM
Detections: 		1

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\iobit\driver booster\scheduler.exe
Publisher: 		IObit
Signer: 		IObit Information Technology
MD5: 			0fea4f4248d0d1a1ab6c18007e982e0b
SHA-1: 			ca2493f36698e096a6b6b26ab92e742d8f85cd4a
Created: 		2/19/2014 11:21:56 AM
Detections: 		1

File path: 		c:\program files (x86)\iobit\driver booster\maddisasm_.bpl
Publisher: 		
Signer: 		IObit Information Technology
MD5: 			5c4debd7b96bbfa9b3c590d487558880
SHA-1: 			05f6a913004c78a6353a75aea5009ce59f4989f2
Created: 		2/19/2014 11:21:55 AM
Detections: 		1

Delete this folder:

c:\program files (x86)\the wedownload manager\

Once all this is complete, restart and post a new scan log.

 

[gplea]

The Herd Protector worked beautifully. Thanks guys.