Look Smart Secure Search

Look Smart Secure Search is a browser extension offering you Google-based search results. The extension, replaces the home page of the browser so that all your search terms are redirected through my.looksmart.me, which not only retrieved Google search results but also records your search queries. Moreover, the extension may use your computer's resources to mine a digital currency and change your browser's proxy settings. Due to these and some other properties, which are discussed further in the text, Look Smart Secure Search is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP), and our advice is to remove this extension.

Look Smart Secure Search is available in the Chrome Web Store where it is presented as a tool enabling you to search the web safely. As for the very source of the application, bear in mind that the Chrome page is not a fully reliable software sharing website. The page has been hacked several times to spread malware, so now you should be very attentive to details when browsing this websites. Reading reviews on this website is not sufficient because they may be faked, especially if you find that the majority of comments are written on the same day. It is highly advisable to search for other reviews and commends on your selected software so that you can be certain that the program of your choice will not cause you any problems.

Look Smart Secure Search could be bundled with other programs, which is a typical feature of PUP distribution. A click on a link or a pop-up warning could initiate the download of a bundle, and in some cases you may not even be notified about it. If you want to prevent similar instances, simply avoid questionable websites. Bypass online gaming websites, dating websites, and freeware sharing websites, which are usually supported by advertising servers displaying advertisements of different types.

No other significant features are publicly offered by Look Smart Secure Search, so, if you like the Google service, you can set this search provider as your default search engine without Look Smart Secure Search on your computer.

The extension may monitor your online behavior to determine your browsing habits and interests. For example, your search terms, clicks, time spent on different websites, and other web browsing-related information is likely to be recorded, and even shared with affiliated third parties.

Another important issue is that Looks Smart Secure Search could use a malicious script to mine a digital currency. Browser extensions injects their malicious codes into browsers so that a cryptocurrencty is generate while the user is browsing the Internet. The same practice is known to be used by multiple websites. However, if it is done without your permission, such a practice is illegal, so you should put an end to it as soon as you can. To avoid in-browser mining, you can use a browser add-ons blocking currency miners. As for browser add-ons generating coins, they should be removed once spotted.

If you notice that the computer has become slower or that some programs are no longer as responsive as they used to be, it is a sign that some malicious program could be running in the background and using your device's resources for illegal activities.

Malicious programs that could cause problems can be averted by keeping the operating system protected. So-called PUPs are usually blacklisted by our recommended security tool, so, if you want to prevent similar application in the future, do not hesitate to implement a reputable malware and spyware removal tool. There are many other types of malware, and even though those threats differ in complexity and performance, they all are aimed at taking advantage of you. Some may be aimed at recording your keyboard input so that login details such as usernames and passwords can be recorded. Some threats may be used to corrupt or permanently delete your files. All of this can be prevented if a professional security tool is running on the PC.

Below you will find our removal guide which should help you remove Look Smart Secure Search and also restore your proxy settings, which are changed surreptitiously by this PUP. However, even if you decide to remove the unwanted extension manually, do not hesitate scan the system afterwards to find out the actual condition of the system.

How to remove Look Smart Secure Search

1. Open the browser.
2. Click the three-dot icon and click More tools.
3. Click Extensions.
4. Uninstall the unwanted extension.

How to fix proxy settings

1. Click the three-dot icon and select Settings.
2. Scroll down and click Advanced.
3. Under System, select the option Open proxy settings.
4. By default, the Connections tab should open. Click the button LAN settings.
5. Uncheck the box under Proxy server and click OK.