Sweetpacks Toolbar and Search

Last Update: April 21, 2013 webmaster 3

Sweetpacks Search (search.sweetpacks.com) and Sweetpacks Toolbar is a typical adware program that may come bundled with other software you may download from distrusted server. Installing the preferred program also loads Sweetpacks Toolbar without asking for your consent. This approach allows the toolbar to be integrated to your Internet browser. Moreover, the adware will place some icons on the menu bar that may look useful, when in fact; you do not need them at all. It serves redundant function on the browser.

Aside from toolbar, Sweetpacks Search will override your existing home page. The adware places a search box that resolves to search.sweetpacks.com. It contains own search engine that many users described as worthless. Using Sweetpacks Search gives undesirable results. It reveals irrelevant links that are way beyond the search term. Along with the useless result is too much display of advertisements aiming to earn a pay-per-click revenue for the site owner.

To remove Sweetpacks Toolbar and Sweetpacks Search from the affected browser, you need to remove add-ons and extensions individually. Running a scan of effective anti-malware program also helps in finding and deleting components that are hidden in the system. See the Sweetpacks removal section below for complete instructions.

Type	Adware
Sub-Type	Toolbar
OS Affected	Windows

What are the Symptoms of Sweetpacks Toolbar and Search Infection?

Sweetpacks Search replaces the home page with its own search box. It usually use the search engine from address http://search.sweetpacks.com

Sweetpacks Toolbar adds many useless toolbar icons on the affected Internet browser.

Follow these Procedures to Remove Sweetpacks

Procedure 1: Uninstall Sweetpacks from Windows Control Panel

1. To adjust computer settings, please click Start button located on the left part of taskbar. Select Control Panel from the list of programs.

2. Under Programs, click on Uninstall a program. It will open a program and features window where-in you can uninstall, change, or repair installed software. Please refer to the image below.

3. Look for the name Sweetpacks or any related term. Please note that the adware may change the title anytime. In such cases, locate any suspicious name from the list. Once found, please select the item you wanted to remove.

4. Click on Uninstall button to remove the program automatically.
5. If it prompts for confirmation, please click OK to proceed.

Procedure 1: Start Windows in Safe Mode with Networking

Restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking

- After turning On the power of the computer, just before Windows start, press F8.
- From the selections, choose Safe Mode with Networking. Please use keyboard's arrow up/down to navigate between selections and press Enter to proceed.

Procedure 2: Scan and remove Sweetpacks files with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware

To remove Sweetpacks, download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware by clicking on the button below. This tool is effective in getting rid of Trojans, viruses and malware.

1. After downloading, please install the program using the default settings.
2. At the end of the installation, please make sure that it will download necessary updates.
3. Once update has completed. The tool will launch.
4. Thoroughly scan the computer and remove all threats detected by this anti-malware program.

Procedure 3.A : INTERNET EXPLORER - Sweetpacks removal procedure

If the hijacker was not removed properly during the scan, you can use this guide to uninstall it from the computer. We prepared procedures to remove this unknown search program from various Internet browsers including Internet Explorer 8/9, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.

Instructions for Internet Explorer 8:

1. Launch the program Internet Explorer 8.
2. On top menu, please navigate to Tools > Internet Options.

3. It will open the options window; make sure that you are viewing the General tab. Look for the area that says "Search" and click the Settings button.

4. You will see a list of search providers. Select your preferred search provider and click the button Set as default to replace Sweetpacks.

5. You may now remove Sweetpacks from the list. Highlight the item and click on Remove button.

Instructions for Internet Explorer 9:

1. Launch the program Internet Explorer 9.
2. On top menu, please navigate to Tools > Internet Options.
3. On General tab, proceed to Change search defaults and click the Settings button.
4. You will see a list of search providers. Select your desired search provider and click the button Set as default to replace Sweetpacks.
5. You may now remove Sweetpacks from the list.

Guide to remove Sweetpacks Add-ons and Extensions from Internet Explorer

1. Launch the program Internet Explorer.
2. On top menu, please navigate to Tools > Manage add-ons. It will open a window where in you can view and manage Internet Explorer add-ons.
3. Select Toolbars and Extensions on left panel. Go to right panel and look for Sweetpacks related item.

4. Select the unwanted toolbar and extensions and click on Disable.
5. Close the existing window and restart Internet Explorer.

Procedure 3.B : MOZILLA FIREFOX - Sweetpacks removal guide

1. Launch the program Mozilla Firefox.
2. On Google's Search box, click the arrow down sitting right beside the 'G' logo.

3. Click on Manage Search Engines... from the drop-down list to see all search engines installed in Firefox.
4. Choose your preferred default search provider by placing it at the top most position. Highlight the item and click on Move up until it reaches the first spot.

5. To remove Sweetpacks from Firefox, highlight on its name and click the Remove button. Then, click OK.
6. Back at Firefox main screen, type about:config in the address bar. If it shows a warning, "This might void your warranty!" please click "I'll be carefull, I promise!"
7. Firefox will display a list of entire preferences including those that were modified by Sweetpacks.

8. In the Search field, type the name of malware. Then, right-click and Reset values for found Preferences.

9. Navigate to top menu and click on Tools, the click Options.
10. On General Tab, under Home Page, type the desired address or simply click Restore to Default. Click OK to save the settings. This will reverse the changes made by Sweetpacks on your home page.

Procedures to delete Sweetpacks Extensions from Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox Internet browser.
2. On top menu, click on Tools and select Add-ons from the list. You can also press CtrlShift+A on your keyboard to access this option.
3. Once the Add-ons manager is open, select Extensions from the sidebar.

4. Find the unknown add-on and click on Remove button. Click OK to save the settings.
5. Please restart Firefox to complete the process.

Procedure 3.C : GOOGLE CHROME - Sweetpacks removal procedure

1. Launch the program Google Chrome.
2. Click on the Wrench or 3-Bars icon on top right corner of the browser.

3. Choose Settings from the drop down list. It will open a window containing Google Chrome settings.
4. Find the area that says "Search". This is located in the middle part of the page.

5. Click on Manage search engines. It will show a list of Search engines including the default one.
6. Mouse-over to your preferred search engine and click Make default.

7. Then, to remove Sweetpacks from Google Chrome, mouse-over to that item and click on the X mark.

Delete Sweetpacks extension from Google Chrome:

1. Launch the program Google Chrome.
2. Click on the Wrench or 3-Bars icon on top right corner of the browser.
3. Choose Settings from the drop down list. It will open a window containing Google Chrome settings.
4. Click on Extensions of the left side bar to display all installed extensions.

5. On the right panel of the window, Disable/Delete (Trash) Sweetpacks extensions.
6. Close the current window and restart Google Chrome.

Remove Sweetpacks from Google Chrome's home page:

1. Open Google Chrome Internet browser.
2. Click on the Wrench or 3-Bars icon on top right corner of the browser.
3. Choose Settings from the drop down list. It will open a window containing Google Chrome settings.
4. Navigate to On startup area and click on Open a specific page or set of pages.

5. On Add a new page box, please type your desired home page address if you wishes to.

6. Remove Sweetpacks startup page by highlighting the item, then click on the X mark beside it. Click OK.
7. On the same page, go to Appearance section. Check the settings on New Tab page, click Change to display the default home page address. Then, click OK to save the setting.

8. Remove the malware entry in 'Open this page' box. You can replace it with any desired home page address. See the image for your reference.

Protect your PC from Sweetpacks or Similar Attack

Turn On Safe Browsing Features

Internet Explorer - Activate SmartScreen Filter

Internet Explorer versions 8 and 9 has this feature called SmartScreen Filter. It helps detect phishing web sites and protect you from downloading malicious files online. To turn on SmartScreen Filter, follow these steps:

1. Please open Internet Explorer.
2. On top menu, select Tools (IE 9). For IE 8, please look for Safety menu.
3. Select SmartScreen Filter from the drop-down list and click on Turn on SmartScreen Filter.

4. Please restart Internet Explorer.

Google Chrome's Enable Phishing and Malware Protection

With Google Chrome's Phishing and Malware Detection feature, you will have lesser risks browsing the web. It will display a warning when the site you are trying to visit is suspicious. To enable Phishing and Malware Protection, please do these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click on the Customize and control Google Chrome (3-Bars Icon) located on top right corner of the browser.
3. Select Settings from the drop-down list.
4. Once on the settings page, click on Show advanced settings... at the bottom of the page to see the rest of the Chrome setup.
5. Locate Privacy section and mark 'Enable phishing and malware protection'.

6. Please restart Google Chrome. New settings keep your browser safe while surfing the web.

Mozilla Firefox - Block Attack Sites and Web Forgeries

Phishing and Malware Protection is a built-in feature on Firefox version 3 or later. It warns you when a page you are trying to visit contains phishing content or an attack site designed to drop threats on the computer. To help you keep safe while browsing the Internet using Firefox, please follow this guide:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. On top menu, click on Tools. Then select Options from the list.
3. Select Security and put a check mark on the following items:

• Warn me when sites try to install add-ons
• Block reported attack sites
• Block reported web forgeries

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