How To Remove The SmileBox EN Toolbar Hijacker And Redirection Virus (Mystart.Smilebox, Search.Smilebox)

What is Smilebox (Mystart.Smilebox, Search.Smilebox)?

Smilebox is a dangerous (yet popular) application for PC and Mac that is voluntarily installed or bundled with third party adware, spyware, and Trojans (Web Assistant Toolbar by IB/Podnova Windows Library). Smilebox is often referred to as malware, a browser hijacker (Smilebox Toolbar, Smilebox EN Toolbar), a scam, and redirection virus (Search.smilebox.com, Mystart.smilebox.com) because it shares many similarities and utilizes the same platforms and techniques to extract information.

Smilebox is a free or paid service with a bad online and business rating used to create slide shows, invitations, cards, collages, scrapbooks, and photo albums on your computer and iPhone.  These creations can be used to share on Facebook, by email, blogs, and more.

The risk in using Smilebox is that Smilebox may bundle with adware and spyware, collect personal information, trace and track internet browser activity, can harm computer and internet browser functionality, and they do not offer refunds, nor sufficient documentation and support.

How did Smilebox get on my computer?

If Smilebox is active on your computer and internet browser without you knowledge of installing the software, it may have bundled with third party malware.

If your internet browser is redirecting to Search.Smilebox.com, Mystart.Smilebox.com., or any unwanted search engine without your consent it is strongly suggested to remove/uninstall Smillebox, the Smilebox Tool bar, and any malware and viruses that have affected your system.

What is Smilebox EN Toolbar?

Smilebox Toolbar (Smilebox EN Toolbar)  is an add-on and extension for Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Firefox.

Is Smilebox and Smilebox Toolbar Safe?

No. Smilebox is not safe. Smilebox, associated, and similar websites and tools are considered dangerous for many reasons concerning invasion of privacy and cyber criminal activity. Though the Smilebox app will allow you to use their templates correctly, your privacy, wallet, and computer are at a high risk. Please read about the dangers and symptoms of using Smilebox or becoming infected by Smilebox below.

Smilebox Toolbar Dangers and Symptoms

• Smilebox changes (hijacks)  home page settings causing an internet browser to direct to Search.Smilebox, Mystart.Smilebox, or other websites upon start up.

• Smilebox changes search engine providers (managed search engines) which causes internet searches and URLs to redirect to Search.Smilebox, Mystart.Smilebox, or other websites.

• Smilebox websites use cookies to trace and track internet activity and computer location, etc.
• Smilebox may bundle with third party malware such as adware and spyware causing many issues with computer systems, internet browsers, identity theft, and other cyber criminal activity.
• Smilebox and the Smilebox Toolbar may bundle with and install Web Assistant Toolbar by IB. Web Assistant by IB is a adware/spyware toolbar by Podnova Window’s Library.
• Smilebox does not provide sufficient contact and support for their product.
• Smilebox does not offer refunds and noes this in their policy and terms.

Smilebox is an invasion of privacy and is capable of harming you, your family, and computer. If Smilebox is on your system, remove the application immediately. If you are thinking about purchasing or using Smilebox, do not. Do not use Smilebox.

How to remove Smilebox

A recommendation is to first clear your internet browser cache and cookie files. You can do this in your internet browser settings, options, and preference locations. It is often titled “browsing data” and in some internet browsers can be access by typing Ctrl+Shift+Delete.

The options to remove/uninstall Smilebox and the Smilebox Toolbar (Smilebox EN Toolbar) are below. After removal of Smilebox is complete proceed to repair internet browser settings to normal. In some instances Smilebox will not be installed onto your system though the Smilebox Toolbar is present on your internet browser.

If Smilebox was installed onto your system without your consent it is recommend to search for third party malware, viruses, and Trojans which may have infected your system and bundled with Smilebox and the Smilebox Toolbar.

Removal Options

1. Uninstall Smilebox (Windows and Mac)
2. Manual Removal: Kill process and remove  files (,folders), and registry entries.
3. Restore computer to a date and time before Smilebox infection/install

Internet Browser Settings Repair Options

1. Remove Smilebox Toolbar Add-on and Extensions (Smilebox EN Toolbar or related)
2. Remove Web Assistant by IB Toolbar, Home page protector extension (Web Assistant)
3. Repair Home Page Settings (start up page)
4. Repair Provided Search Engines (stop redirecting to Smilebox, etc)

strong>Other options to remove Smilebox, malware, and viruses is using Antivirus or Anti-Malware software.

If you suspect your system is infected with malware or viruses, look up the infection name on Botcrawl.com or any search engine for steps to troubleshoot. Another option is to use popular Antivirus or Anti-Malware software (explained above). I recommend using the free version of Mawlarebytes to scan for, detect, and remove any malware and viruses affecting your system.

1. Uninstall Smilebox (Windows and Mac)

Follow the directions below to uninstall Smilebox from Windows or Mac operating systems.

Windows

Smilebox can easily be uninstalled by using Window’s Uninstaller. Follow the steps below per Window’s systems.

1. Depending on your version of Windows, go to:
   • Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs
   • Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features
2. Select Smilebox from the list of Applications
3. Click the Uninstall button and the uninstall process will begin.

Mac

1. Visit to the folder containing Smilebox.
2. If you have a Smilebox Tray Icon in your upper right menu: Click and select Quit.
3. Drag Smilebox from your install location to the Trash icon in the Dock. You’ll need administrative rights if it’s installed in your Applications folder.
4. To remove the Smilebox icon from your Dock, simply drag it out of the Dock with your mouse.

2. Manually Remove Smilebox

Manually removing Smilebox may be difficult. It is recommended to Uninstall the application, remove the Smilebox Toolbar, and repair internet browser settings.

The directions below details how to end the Smilebox process, detect and remove associated Smilebox files, and detect and remove Smilebox registry entries.

Kill Smilebox Process (end)

The process of Smilebox may be difficult to identify or in some cases Smilebox.exe.

Access Windows Task Manager by typing Ctrl+Shift+ESC. Navigate to the Processes Tab, find the Smilebox process, right click, and end it.

[random name].exe

Remove Smilebox Files

The known associated files of Smilebox are detailed below. Search for the files and delete them. Do not remove necessary System32 files.

C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe
C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k secsvcs
C:\Windows\system32\atieclxx.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
c:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys
C:\WINDOWS\_VOID\_VOIDd.sys
C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAC.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAC.db
C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAC.dat
C:\WINDOWS\Temp\_VOIDtmp
C:\WINDOWS\Temp\UAC.tmp

Remove Smilebox Registry Entries

Access Windows Start menu and type regedit into the search field and press Enter (XP: Run, Type regedit).

Remove Smilebox registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\_VOIDd.sys
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\_VOID
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UACd.sys
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\4DW4R3

1. Remove Smilebox Toolbar Extension

Remove the Smilebox EN Toolbar (Smilebox Toolbar), and Web Assistant by IB Toolbar, and/or other third party toolbars (add-ons or extensions) from each internet browser installed on your system.

Internet Explorer

Windows XP

1. Click the Windows ‘Start’ menu, then click ‘Control Panel’.
2. Click ‘Add or Remove Programs’.
3. Select ‘Smilebox EN Toolbar’.
4. Click ‘Change/Remove’.
5. Select “Yes” when asked if you are sure you want to uninstall.
6. If your Internet Explorer browser was open, close and reopen now.

Windows Vista

1. Click the Windows ‘Start’ menu, then click ‘Control Panel’.
2. Click ‘Programs and Features’.
3. Find ‘Smilebox EN Toolbar’ and then click ‘Uninstall’.
4. Follow the instructions to remove the Toolbar.
5. If your Internet Explorer browser was open, close and reopen now.

Windows 7

1. Click the Windows ‘Start’ menu, then click ‘Control Panel’.
2. Click ‘Uninstall a Program’ under the ‘Programs’ category.
3. In the ‘Programs and Features’ window, find ‘Smilebox EN Toolbar’ in the list, select it, and then click ‘Uninstall’.
4. Follow the instructions to remove the Toolbar.
5. If your Internet Explorer browser was open, close and reopen now.

Firefox

1. Open your Firefox browser. If your menu bar is not visible, press the “Alt” key on your keyboard.
2. Click ‘Tools’ on the main menu and then click ‘Add-Ons’.
3. Click the ‘Extensions’ tab, find ‘Smilebox EN Toolbar’ and click ‘Remove’.
4. Confirm the uninstallation by clicking ‘OK’ in the Toolbar Uninstall dialog box.
5. Click ‘Restart Now’ at the top of the dialog box.

Chrome

1. Open Chrome, click on the wrench icon in the top right corner, and select ‘Settings’.
2. Click ‘Extensions’.
3. Find ‘Smilebox EN’ and hover over it with your cursor.
4. Click on the Trash Can icon that shows up on the right side.
5. A dialog box confirming your removal will show up, Click ‘Remove’.
6. Close the browser and reopen.

2. Remove Home Page Protector (Web Assistant)

Smilebox and Smilebox Toolbar may also install Web Assistant by IB. Remove Web Assistant by IB using the directions below.

If Web Assistant Toolbar is not located in your list of extensions, proceed to 3. Repair Home Page Settings

Internet Explorer

1. Click the Windows ‘Start’ menu, then click ‘Control Panel’.
2. Click ‘Add or Remove Programs’.
3. Select ‘Web Assistant by IB’.
4. Click ‘Remove’.
5. If your Internet Explorer browser was open, close and reopen now.

Firefox

1. Open your Firefox browser. If your menu bar is not visible, press the “Alt” key on your keyboard.
2. Click ‘Tools’ on the main menu and then click ‘Add-Ons’.
3. Click the ‘Extensions’ tab, find ‘Web Assistant by IB’ and click ‘Remove’.
4. Confirm the uninstallation by clicking ‘OK’ in the dialog box.
5. Click ‘Restart Now’ at the top of the dialog box.

Chrome

1. Open Chrome, click on the wrench icon in the top right corner, and select ‘Settings’.
2. Click ‘Extensions’.
3. Find ‘Web Assistant by IB’ and click ‘Remove’.
4. Click Remove in the pop-up dialog box.
5. Close the browser and reopen.

3. Repair Home Page Settings (start up page)

To remove MyStart.Smilebox, Search.Smilebox, Smilebox.com, or related websites  as your home page, remove them by fovllowing these steps per each internet browser installed on your system:

Internet Explorer 9

1. Open Internet Explorer and search for the page you want to use as your home page.
2. When the page opens, click the Tools icon (it looks like a cog wheel) in the top left corner and select ‘Internet Options’.
3. In the dialog that opens, click ‘Use current’, then click ‘OK’.
4. Close the browser and reopen.
5. You have now reset your homepage..

Internet Explorer 8

1. Open Internet Explorer and search for the page you want to use as your home page.
2. When the page opens, click ‘Tools’ in the menu bar and select ‘Internet Options’.
3. In the dialog that opens, click ‘Use current’, then click ‘OK’.
4. Close the browser and reopen.
5. You have now reset your home page.

Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox and search for the page you want to use as a home page.
2. When the page opens, click ‘Tools’ in the menu bar, and select ‘Options’.
3. In the dialog that opens, click ‘Use Current Page’, and then click ‘OK’.
4. Close the browser and reopen.
5. You have now reset your home page.

Chrome

1. Open Chrome, click on the wrench icon in the top right corner, and select Settings.
2. Select ‘Open this page’ in the ‘Home page’ section and type the web address of the page you want to use as your home page.
3. Close the browser and reopen.
4. You have now reset your home page.

4. Repair Provided Search Engines (redirection)

Internet Explorer 9

If you don’t want MyStart as your default search provider, remove it by following these simple steps:

1. Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools icon (it looks like a cog wheel) in the top left corner. Select ‘Internet Options’.
2. In the dialog that opens, click ‘Settings’ in the ‘Search’ section.
3. Select “MyStart Search” and click ‘Remove’.
4. Close the browser and reopen.
5. You have now reset your default search provider.

Internet Explorer 8

If you don’t want MyStart as your default search provider, remove it by following these simple steps:

1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the small arrow in the top right corner of the browser, and then click on ‘Manage Search Providers’.
2. In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window, you will see search providers.
3. Select your preferred search provider, click ‘Set as default’, and then click ‘Close’.
4. Close the browser and reopen.
5. You have now reset your default search provider.

Firefox

If you don’t want MyStart as your default search provider, please follow these steps:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox and click on the small arrow in the top right of the browser. Click on your preferred search provider.
2. Close the browser and reopen.
3. You have now reset your default search provider.

Chrome

If you don’t want MyStart as your default search provider, remove it by following these simple steps:

1. Open Google Chrome, click on the wrench icon in the top right corner, and select Settings.
2. In the ‘Search’ section, click on the drop-down menu and click on your preferred search provider.
3. Close the browser and reopen.
4. You have now reset your default search provider.