Smart Application Controller (Removal Guide) - Free Instructions
Smart Application Controller Removal Guide
What is Smart Application Controller?
Smart Application Controller is an unwanted program that seems legitimate but must be avoided
Smart Application Controller is a high suspicious application which can be called as “potentially unwanted.” According to its developers, its aim is to improve the performance of your device by helping you to update software without much effort. However, in reality, this app is a silent intruder which can be added to adware[1] and similar categories. Once installed, the PUP launches its main file smappscontroller.exe and starts interrupting its victims with pop-up ads, in-text links, and similar content. Just like tens of other unwanted programs, Smart Application Controller PUP can infiltrate the system without the user's knowledge or permission, and start acting as an old system tool. However, this program shouldn't be kept on the device as it can cause intrusive advertisements and start collecting various information about the user.
| Name | Smart Application Controller |
|---|---|
| Type | Adware/a fake system tool |
| Sub-type | Potentially unwanted program (PUP) |
| main file | smappscontroller.exe |
| Promoted as | Tool that allows users to update installed programs |
| Distribution | Software bundling |
| Symptoms | Delivers intrusive ads, causes redirects to suspicious sites |
| Elimination | Download and use FortectIntego for Smart Application Controller removal |
Potentially unwanted programs have lots of “useful” features. That's how they spread around after convincing their victims that they are worth being added to the system. Smart Application Controller virus is claiming that it can easily provide all missing updates to the user. Unfortunately, we have to warn you that updates should be downloaded only from official websites and that all third-party sources can lead you to different problems. Besides, the tool which has been categorized as adware can infiltrate your system together with other third-party installers. This distribution technique is known as bundling because it connects two different apps into one.
Once inside, Smart Application Controller adware starts working each time the PC is rebooted. The PUP starts delivering numerous advertisements and causes redirects to sponsored sites that are typically filled with more commercial content. Every click on these ads creates revenue[2] for virus developers. These ads mostly promote rogue tools similar to this one and typically have no real value to their users. These advertisements can also cause redirects to dubious sites can also be malicious and execute malicious scripts designed to spread various malware or other PUAs.
These are the main indications that you have Smart Application Controller on your device:
- Advertisements in various forms fill up the screen.
- Browser delivers pop-up windows with the fake update suggestions.
- Browser extensions or toolbars get installed without the user's consent.
- Smappscontroller.exe automatically runs each time the device is launched.
- This application appears running in the background.
- The random text turns into active hyperlinks.
You should perform Smart Application Controller removal immediately after noticing similar features because these silent infections can collect information about your browsing habits, location, and details about the device. This data tracking is an important issue because the information may be shared with third-parties.
In most cases, this information is used by third-party advertisers to generate ads more geared towards you. This may lead to an excessive amount of intrusive ads, and this activity diminishes your time online. In addition, this background activity affects the overall performance of the device. Remove Smart Application Controller as soon as possible.
Researchers[3] advise that the best solution for virus removal are anti-malware tools like FortectIntego. These programs can detect various types of malware and eliminate them from your device, along with other silent intruders. Since PUPs can install other unwanted programs, a full system scan is beneficial for the security of a system and the performance of your device.
Choose reputable sources for your downloads to avoid additional intruders
Potentially unwanted applications can be promoted as useful, and people are willing to get them knowingly. However, these programs tend to be bundled with freeware and provided for people via freeware downloads and installations. Virus developers widely use bundling technique, since people tend to rush through important steps of software installations. During these processes, you can choose Advanced/Custom or Default/Quick options.
If you select the second one, you are getting everything that provider offered and that may include additional programs or tools. Choosing Advanced options while installing your freeware or updates allows you to see the full list of suggested programs and possibly de-select unwanted ones. It is essential and not so time-consuming as you may think, so pay more attention during these processes on your computer.
Perform Smart Application Controller removal with the help of proper tools
To remove Smart Application Controller and get rid of related issues, you need a full system scan. This can be achieved with anti-malware tools. Our team prepared a few suggestions, and you can find them below. But feel free to choose any other programs, remember to use the reputable provider. Trustworthy anti-malware can detect and remove various cyber infections, including potentially unwanted applications.
Smart Application Controller removal using anti-malware program can be beneficial for the whole system of your device. A full system scan means that every little intruder is eliminated from your PC. This means that all those redirects and intrusive ads come to an end. If the program seems persistent, use another anti-malware and clean your system again.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Smart Application Controller. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
If you got Smart Application Controller infection on Windows OS supporting device, follow these steps:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Get your Firefox to a normal working state again by following this guide:
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
Remove Smart Application Controller from your Chrome:
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Smart Application Controller registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.