Sweetpacks Toolbar

PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks is a potentially unwanted application that injects ads into Chrome or another web browser

Sweetpacks, otherwise known as PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks, is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) developed by SweetIM. Once the standalone application is installed on the system, it will also download and append a browser toolbar, compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another web browser. Additionally, users will also see changes to their homepages and search page, as these are set to start.sweetpacks.com and mysearch.sweetpacks.com.

While Sweetpacks generally works as a browser hijacker,^[1] (main problems initiated by this toolbar are system changes and additional redirects to sponsored websites), several features of this program have also been attributed to adware.^[2] Besides, the app works much more aggressively than a regular browser-hijacking toolbar, as it also alters Windows system settings, so security applications often mark it as PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks.

Sweetpacks has mostly been spreading with the help of software bundles. While you can easily download it from its official website as a useful browser add-on, the main way used to spread it is related to third party software. If the program manages to sneak into the system unnoticed, it initiates the following tasks:

• modifies Windows Registry;
• alters the settings of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer or other installed browsers on the affected device;
• sets search.sweetpacks.com as default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL;
• displays intrusive web advertisements whenever you browse the web;
• tracks information about user’s browsing activities and interests.

The main aim pf Sweet packs is to make the computer user click on the content it presents so that it would be able to reroute the user to particular Internet sites. To achieve this goal, it suggests using a vague search engine and also serves ads during each browsing session.

The PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks hijacker is designed to reject user’s attempts to replace its search engine with a credible search provider. Therefore, this shady website, full of ads and other commercial content, appears every time you open an infected web browser. However, the worst part is that developers aim to control the user’s visited websites.

Sweetpacks Toolbar is a potentially unwanted program that replaces browser’s startup page and floods it with shady ads

Sweetpacks Toolbar is a potentially unwanted program that replaces browser’s startup page and floods it with shady ads

Sweetpacks redirect tendencies are not only annoying but might also be dangerous. These redirects can lead you to high-risk Internet pages, phishing^[3] websites, or pages that promote bogus software updates^[4] that carry possibly malicious files. Therefore, you can easily experience malware attacks or privacy-related issues.

Therefore, if you want your computer to stay safe and sound, stay clear of any content powered by this questionable toolbar. However, if it was installed without your knowledge, you have to obtain reputable anti-malware and remove Sweetpacks virus with the help of it. Additionally, after elimination, we suggest you scan the system with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego to fix issues with the Windows registry.

However, if you prefer eliminating the hijacker without installing security software, you can do it as well. You can find a manual Sweetpacks removal guide at the end of the article.

PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks – a term used to describe a particular set of unwanted apps

PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks is a detection name that is used by Malwarebytes security software to detect potentially unwanted programs that install Sweetpacks adware and hijack all web browsers with a specially crafted toolbar. In most cases, users who would download the application unintentionally would see the pop-up that informs about the infection and that it was stopped successfully.

Additionally, the security app will also prevent the PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks to alter the web browser settings, and append the unwanted URLs to the homepage, start page, and the new tab address.

PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks might represent a variety of apps, however, since detection is generic. Therefore, some users might not have the same application installed and would still receive the same pop-up.

We highly recommend protecting every machine with sophisticated security software, as it stops not only potentially unwanted programs but also malware from accessing vital parts of Windows/Mac systems and making malicious changes to them.

PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks is a detection name used by Malwarebytes security software

PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks is a detection name used by Malwarebytes security software

Sneaky way to spread the hijacker

Unwanted apps like PUP.Optional.Sweetpacks hijack computers in a legitimate way. It might sound a bit ridiculous, but unfortunately, that is a complete truth. Such programs spread via freeware and shareware programs, and computer users often install them if they fail to notice such and similar statements during the installation process:

• “Yes, I agree to install Sweetpacks Toolbar.”
• “I agree to set my homepage, new tab page and default search to search.sweetpacks.com.”

You can find and deny these pre-selected permissions via Advanced or Custom settings in the installation wizard. You should opt for these installation modes at all times. Security experts from Bedynet.ru^[5] remind that Default and Standard installation options often conceal these permissions without even revealing them to you.

Uninstall Sweetpacks for good

We have prepared an informative Sweetpacks Toolbar removal guide below, which will help you to locate all components of this PC parasite and remove them in a correct order. You must eliminate all files that are related to the browser hijacker to keep your computer safe.

However, considering the fact that PUPs usually do not spread alone, we strongly recommend you to scan your computer with a strong anti-malware software to see if there are no other possibly dangerous programs left on the system. Your preferred tool will remove Sweetpacks and other entries related to it.

You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. 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.

Get rid of Sweetpacks Toolbar from Windows systems

Open Control Panel and access Uninstall a Program option. There look up for Sweetpacks Toolbar and uninstall it along with other PUPs.

1. Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
2. Uninstall Sweetpacks Toolbar and related programs
   Here, look for Sweetpacks Toolbar or any other recently installed suspicious programs.
3. Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
4. Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar from Windows shortcuts
   Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties.
5. Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.

Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers’ shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.

Uninstall Sweetpacks Toolbar from Mac OS X system

If you found the suspicious add-on installed on the browser or homepage set to search.sweetpacks.com, follow the guide to look up for hijacker-related entires:

1. If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
2. Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Sweetpacks Toolbar or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.

Erase Sweetpacks Toolbar from Internet Explorer (IE)

Uninstall suspicious add-ons and reset Internet Explorer as shown below:

1. Remove dangerous add-ons
   Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons.
2. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Sweetpacks Toolbar and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab.
4. Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
5. Reset Internet Explorer
   Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab.
6. Here, select Reset.
7. When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Sweetpacks Toolbar removal.

Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar from Microsoft Edge

After the hijack, Microsoft Edge reset is needed:

Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):

1. Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
2. Click Settings to open more options.
3. Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
4. Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
5. Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
6. When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
7. Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
8. When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.

Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):

If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.

1. Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
2. Find this folder on your computer: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
3. Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
4. Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
5. Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
6. Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
   

   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}

   

Once these steps are finished, Sweetpacks Toolbar should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.

Delete Sweetpacks Toolbar from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Uninstall Sweetpacks extension from Firefox and reset the browser:

1. Remove dangerous extensions
   Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
2. Here, select Sweetpacks Toolbar and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General.
4. Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
5. Click OK to save these changes.
6. Reset Mozilla Firefox
   Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
7. Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Sweetpacks Toolbar removal.

Eliminate Sweetpacks Toolbar from Google Chrome

Follow the guide to wipe out all components related to Sweetpacks Toolbar:

1. Delete malicious plugins
   Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
2. Here, select Sweetpacks Toolbar and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
3. Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
   Click on menu icon and choose Settings.
4. Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
5. Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
6. Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
7. When in Search Engines…, remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
8. Reset Google Chrome
   Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings.
9. Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
10. Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Sweetpacks Toolbar removal.

Get rid of Sweetpacks Toolbar from Safari

Reset Safari once you uninstall questionable browser extensions.

1. Remove dangerous extensions
   Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences.
2. Here, select Extensions and look for Sweetpacks Toolbar or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General.
4. Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Sweetpacks Toolbar, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the “http://” before typing in the address of the page.
5. Reset Safari
   Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari….
6. Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Sweetpacks Toolbar removal process.