Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar (Removal Guide)

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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Sweetpacks is an adware program, which is promoted via other free downloads, and once installed it will add to your browser the Sweetpacks Toolbar, change your homepage to start.sweetpacks.com and set your browser default search engine to search.sweetpacks.com.

Sweetpacks search will display advertisements and sponsored links in your search results, and may collect search terms from your search queries.
[Image: Sweetpacks search virus]

Sweetpacks Toolbar got on your computer after you have installed another free software or add-on that had bundled into their installer this browser hijacker.
For example, when you install SweetIM, SweetPCFix or GamePacks, you will also agree to install the Sweetpacks Toolbar, change your browser homepage to start.sweetpacks.com , and default search engine to search.sweetpacks.com .
However, when you uninstall these programs from your computer, your web browser’s default settings will not be restored. This means that you’ll have to remove from your favorite web browser manually.

You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this Sweetpacks adware. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.

How to remove Sweetpacks Toolbar (Virus Removal Guide)

This page is a comprehensive guide, which will remove Sweetpacks from your Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.
STEP 1: Uninstall Sweetpacks Toolbar from Windows
STEP 2: STEP 2: Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar browser hijacker from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome with AdwCleaner

STEP 3: Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
STEP 4: Double-check for the Sweetpacks Toolbar with HitmanPro
(OPTIONAL) STEP 5: Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar and Ask Search from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome

STEP 1 : Uninstall Sweetpacks malicious programs from your computer

In this first step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious program that might be installed on your computer.

  1. To uninstall a program from Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, click the “Start” button, then click on the “Control Panel” menu option.
    [Image: Control Panel in Windows Start Menu]
    If you are using Windows 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for “control panel” .Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control Panel from there.
    [Image: Type Control Panel in Windows 8 search box]
  2. When the “Control Panel” window opens click on the “Uninstall a program” option under “Programs” category. This option is shown by the arrow in the image below. If you are using the “Classic View” of the Control Panel, then you would double-click on the “Programs and Features” icon instead.
    [Image: Uninstall a program]
  3. When the “Programs and Features” or the “Uninstall a Program” screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and uninstall Search Protect, Sweetpacks Toolbar, SweetIM for Messenger, SweetPacks Toolbar for Internet Explorer or Update Manager for SweetPacks
    To view the most recently installed programs, you can click on the “Installed On” column to sort your programs by the installation date. Scroll through the list, and uninstall any unwanted or unknown program.

    If you are having issues while trying to uninstall the Sweetpacks program, you can use Revo Uninstaller to completely remove this unwanted program from your machine.

    [Image: Sweetpacks removal]
    If you cannot find any unwanted or unknown programs on your machine, then you can proceed with the next step.

STEP 2: Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar browser hijacker from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome with AdwCleaner

  1. You can download AdwCleaner from the below link.
    ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will download “AdwCleaner” on your computer)
  2. Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.
    AdwCleaner Icon
    If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
  3. When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the “Scan” button as shown below.
    AdwCleaner scan button
    AdwCleaner will now start to search for the “Sweetpacks Toolbar” browser hijacker that may be installed on your computer.
  4. To remove the “Sweetpacks Toolbar” malicious files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the “Clean” button.
    Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar with AdwCleaner
  5. AdwCleaner will prompt you to save any open files or documents, as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button.
    AdwCleaner removing malware

STEP 3: Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free uses industry-leading technology to detect and remove all traces of malware, including worms, Trojans, rootkits, rogues, dialers, spyware, and more.
It is important to note that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.

  1. You can download download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from the below link.
    MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free)
  2. Once downloaded, close all programs, then double-click on the icon on your desktop named “mbam-setup-consumer-2.00.xx” to start the installation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware setup program]
    Picture of User Account Control You may be presented with a User Account Control dialog asking you if you want to run this file. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
  3. When the installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Setup Wizard which will guide you through the installation process.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Setup Wizard]
    To install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on your machine, keep following the prompts by clicking the “Next” button.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Final Setup Screen]
  4. Once installed, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically start and you will see a message stating that you should update the program, and that a scan has never been run on your system. To start a system scan you can click on the “Fix Now” button.
    [Image: Click on the Fix Now button to start a scan]
    Alternatively, you can click on the “Scan” tab and select “Threat Scan“, then click on the “Scan Now” button.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Threat Scan]
  5. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now check for updates, and if there are any, you will need to click on the “Update Now” button.
    [Image: Click on Update Now to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware]
  6. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for the Sweetpacks virus. When Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is scanning it will look like the image below.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware while performing a scan]
  7. When the scan has completed, you will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes Anti-malware has found, click on the “Quarantine All” button, and then click on the “Apply Now” button.
    [Image: Remove the malware that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has found]
    Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.
  8. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now quarantine all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. When removing the files, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware may require a reboot in order to remove some of them. If it displays a message stating that it needs to reboot your computer, please allow it to do so.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware while removing viruses]
    After your computer will restart, you should open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform another “Threat Scan” scan to verify that there are no remaining threats

STEP 4: Double check for the Sweetpacks Toolbar infection with HitmanPro

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware (viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the security measures you have taken (such as anti virus software, firewalls, etc.). HitmanPro is designed to work alongside existing security programs without any conflicts. It scans the computer quickly (less than 5 minutes) and does not slow down the computer.

  1. You can download HitmanPro from the below link:
    HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download HitmanPro)
  2. Double-click on the file named “HitmanPro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “HitmanPro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows). When the program starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below.
    [Image: HitmanPro start-up screen]
    Click on the “Next” button, to install HitmanPro on your computer.
    [Image: HitmanPro setup options]
  3. HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for Sweetpacks malicious files.
    [Image: HitmanPro scanning for malware]
  4. When it has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found as shown in the image below. Click on the “Next” button, to remove Sweetpacks malware.
    [Image: HitmanPro scan results]
  5. Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial, and remove all the malicious files from your computer.
    [Image: HitmanPro Activate Free License]

(OPTIONAL) STEP 5: Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar and Ask Search from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome

If you are still experiencing issues with the Sweetpacks Toolbar in Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings. This step needs to be performed only if your issues have not been solved by the previous steps.

Reset Internet Explorer

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the “gear icon” [Image: icongear.jpg] in the upper right part of your browser, then click again on Internet Options.
    [Image: Internet Options in Internet Explorer]
  2. In the “Internet Options” dialog box, click on the “Advanced” tab, then click on the “Reset” button.
    [Image: Reset Internet Explorer]
  3. In the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” section, select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click on “Reset” button.
    [Image: Reset Internet Explorer to its default settings]
  4. When Internet Explorer has completed its task, click on the “Close” button in the confirmation dialogue box. You will now  need to close your browser, and then you can open Internet Explorer again.
    [Image Reset Internet Explorer settings]

Reset Mozilla Firefox

  1. In the upper-right corner of the Firefox window, click the Firefox menu button ([Image: Firefox Menu button]), then click on the “Help” ([Image: Firefox Help button]) button.
    [Image: Click on the Menu button then Help]
  2. From the Help menu, choose Troubleshooting Information.
    If you’re unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting information page.
    [Image: Troubleshooting Information in Firefox]
  3. Click the “Reset Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
    [Image: Reset Firefox to its default settings]
  4. To continue, click on the “Reset Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
    [Image: Click on the Reset Firefox button]
  5. Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on the “Finish“.

Note: Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.

Google Chrome

  1. Click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines ([Image: Chrome's main menu button]) .When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled Settings.
    [Image: Click on Settings button]
  2. Chrome’s Settings should now be displayed in a new tab or window, depending on your configuration. Next, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Show advanced settings link (as seen in the below example).
    [Image: Click on Show advanced settings link]
  3. Chrome’s advanced Settings should now be displayed. Scroll down until the Reset browser settings section is visible, as shown in the example below. Next, click on the Reset browser settings button.
    [Image: Click on Reset browser button]
  4. A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the Reset button.
    [Image: Click on Reset button to restore Chrome to default settings]
Your computer should now be free of the Sweetpacks Toolbar. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove Sweetpacks Toolbar from your machine, please start a new thread in our Malware Removal Assistance forum.
How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

109 thoughts on “Remove Sweetpacks Toolbar (Removal Guide)”

  1. SOLUTION TO new tab opening to sweetpacks!
    Hi there – I did all the steps, took me ages! but had the same problem Chamelia has every time I opened a new tab it went directly to sweetpacks search Arrrgh!
    Here’s how to fix it on Firefox but it should work for the other browers
    1. in new tab – In the address bar, type ‘about:config’ and then click Enter.

    2. You will be notified that you are about to change your settings.
    Click ‘I’ll be careful, I promise!’

    3. You will see a Search field, type ‘newtab’ and then click
    ‘browser.newtab.url’.

    4. In the box that will be opened, enter the URL that you want to open
    in the new tab page instead of Sweetpacks and then click OK.

  2. After you have gone through all the above (very helpful, thanks!), there is one more step. (Incidentally, be VERY careful of Hitman–it will try to remove a lot of stuff that maybe it shouldn’t.)

    Use wordpad to open
    users>username>AppData>local>Google>Chrome>User Data>Defaule>Secure Preferences. Scan for Sweetpack. CAREFULLY remove it from the list of “Startup URLs”. There may be a bunch of other stuff there that I recognized from previous virus removals. Now, if you are logged on to a Google account, you will find the change you made reappears. That’s Google’s sync “feature”. This seems to happen regardless of unchecking all the sync settings in Menu>Settings>Advanced login … Disconnect your Google account (Chrome>Menu>Settings>Login, Disconnect_Google_Account button.and make the changes again. Now, you have finally exorcised the SweetPacks virus. Hopefully. Malwarebytes should give you a bill of health free of SweetPacks.

    In my opinion, any software that hijacks your browser, or your search engine, or sniffs you keystrokes or shoves unwanted advertising up your screen or redirects your work in any way is a virus. This is big bucks, like Billion$. One has to wonder if some money changes hands for the AV folks to ignore these “PUPs.” I’m not accusing. Just saying….

  3. Thank you so much. Sweetpacks has been a frustrating problem, and all of the steps above finally worked after months of trying everything to get it off. Thank you!

  4. hey there I’ve done every thing step for step and I don’t seem to find any traces of sweet packs. BUT…. when I open a new tab, it opens google as my home page and then after a few seconds go back to sweet pack browser, please help. this happens when i use the new tab short cut in crome

  7. Thanks for this info, saved a couple of laptops for me! Just in case you want to wring the neck of the buttplug who created this sweetpacks.com crap, heres the idiots info:

    Domain Name: SWEETPACKS.COM
    Registry Domain ID: 1658004162_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
    Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.godaddy.com
    Registrar URL: http://www.godaddy.com
    Update Date: 2012-01-05 07:18:23
    Creation Date: 2011-05-25 03:47:15
    Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2016-05-25 03:47:15
    Registrar: GoDaddy.com, LLC
    Registrar IANA ID: 146
    Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse@godaddy.com
    Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.480-624-2505
    Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
    Domain Status: clientUpdateProhibited
    Domain Status: clientRenewProhibited
    Domain Status: clientDeleteProhibited
    Registry Registrant ID:
    Registrant Name: Robert Sherman
    Registrant Organization: SweetIM Technologies LTD
    Registrant Street: 14 Haroshet st
    Registrant Street: P.O.B. 2640
    Registrant City: Raanana
    Registrant State/Province: Israel
    Registrant Postal Code: 43651
    Registrant Country: Israel
    Registrant Phone: 97755302
    Registrant Phone Ext:
    Registrant Fax:
    Registrant Fax Ext:
    Registrant Email: roberts@sweetim.com
    Registry Admin ID:
    Admin Name: Robert Sherman
    Admin Organization: SweetIM Technologies LTD
    Admin Street: 14 Haroshet st
    Admin Street: P.O.B. 2640
    Admin City: Raanana
    Admin State/Province: Israel
    Admin Postal Code: 43651
    Admin Country: Israel
    Admin Phone: 97755302
    Admin Phone Ext:
    Admin Fax:
    Admin Fax Ext:
    Admin Email: roberts@sweetim.com
    Registry Tech ID:
    Tech Name: Robert Sherman
    Tech Organization: SweetIM Technologies LTD
    Tech Street: 14 Haroshet st
    Tech Street: P.O.B. 2640
    Tech City: Raanana
    Tech State/Province: Israel
    Tech Postal Code: 43651
    Tech Country: Israel
    Tech Phone: 97755302
    Tech Phone Ext:
    Tech Fax:
    Tech Fax Ext:
    Tech Email: roberts@sweetim.com
    Name Server: NS1-160.AKAM.NET
    Name Server: NS4-65.AKAM.NET
    Name Server: NS5-65.AKAM.NET
    Name Server: NS7-67.AKAM.NET
    DNSSEC: unsigned
    URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/
    Last update of WHOIS database: 2014-5-3T5:00:00Z

    We need to make his life a living hell just as he did to us.

  9. It’s people like you that make the bad go away thanks, and as soon as I can I’ll donate. Also people, if you know how you got this thing and where, maybe we can build a list of culprits to avoid?

  13. Sweetpacks is the only one that has gotten by me in a yr and I would have been lost without help here. As we used to say ‘back in the day’…u da man!1, man.

  14. alright nevermind i ran malwarebytes and im pretty sure it did the trick 84 trojans gone lol wtf happened

  15. I accidentally installed Sweetpacks” when downloading another program. I have followed your tips and I have successfully removed Sweetpacks from Google

  16. u guys are the dogs b%&*$cks we would all be very stuck with out u guy 10/10 to al of u much appreciated

    this aint the first time u guy saved me .

  18. I did a quick and full scan with Malwarebytes and had also run AdwCleaner. The only one I did not run HitmanPro. Can I run HitmanPro, get the results and then delete the files myself instead of activating the free trial? I rather save the free trial for a time that I really really need it.

  19. Hello,
    Malwarebytes should remove conduit, however if you have the time, you should run all scans.. It’s always a good idea to make an additional checking! :)

    Stay safe!

  20. Thank you for the article. I think that Sweetpacks is finally off my computer. I kept deleting it off Chrome/IE/Firefox and couldn’t find it in my Add/Remove Programs so I didn’t know where it was coming from. The Malwarebytes Anti-Malware found it’s file location and deleted it. Hopefully it it gone forever. Thanks again for the article.

  22. Thank you so much. One of my boys download thus with their stupid free games. I spent 6 days trying to remove all these nasty files and was starting to fear that the boys just destroyed a $3900.00 Alienware.

    You REALLY saved my ass and their’s. I posted a link to you site on our companies internal network and auto saved it to everyone’s browsers.

    Thank again!

  24. I’ve been working on getting rid of SweetPack all day…. FINALLY, your recommendation HERE is what worked. THANKS

  25. Thank you so much. I followed your instructions and successfully removed this pain in the #$%. I appreciate your dedication and will gladly make a donation.

  29. Followed your instructions, which were very easy to follow, and my problem was solved. The butt opening sweetpacks is eliminated. I also purchased the software which was easy to use. Thanx!!!

  33. Thanks so much for helping me after I stupidly clicked the wrong thing. You would think I’d of learned by now. You’re the Best.

  34. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You’ve saved my googling and changed my browsing for the better. I can NOT thank you enough! I feel so stupid, but at the same time incredibly grateful. Thank you so much for teaching me how to do this!!

  37. THANK YOU! Oh gods, I felt so stupid for letting this happen, and I wanted to fix it before my husband found out, haha. Thanks for taking the time to help us with this nasty bug. <3

  39. Hello,
    HitmanPro has a free 30 days trial for home users, however if you are using a corporate or business computer will not get this free trial.

    Lets try to remove this infection:
    STEP 1: Run a scan with RogueKiller
    1. Please download the latest official version of RogueKiller.
    RogueKiller Download Link : http://tigzy.geekstogo.com/roguekiller.php

    2. Double click on RogueKiller.exe to start this utility and then wait for the Prescan to complete.This should take only a few seconds and then you can click the Scan button to perform a system scan.
    3. After the scan has completed, press the Delete button to remove any malicious registry keys.

    STEP 2: Run a scan with ESET Online Scanner

    1.Download ESET Online Scanner utility.

    ESET Online Scanner Download Link : http://download.eset.com/special/eos/esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe

    2. Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).

    3.Check Yes, I accept the Terms of Use, then click the Start button.

    4.Check Scan archives and push the Start button.

    5. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.

    6. When the scan completes, click on the Finish button.

    Next, please run a scan with HitmanPro and if a threat is detect, please post the log in your next reply, so that I may take a look.
    Stay safe!

  40. I ran HItmanPro and at the end it says there are 8 identified threats but when I go to the next part, there is no option to activate for 30 days. What can I do about this problem?

  42. Hello,
    Lets try to remove this infection:
    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner
    1. Download AdwCleaner from here: http://general-changelog-team.fr/fr/downloads/finish/20-outils-de-xplode/2-adwcleaner

    2.Close all open programs and internet browsers.

    3.Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.

    4.Click on Clean button. Your computer should restart.

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Next, please run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and HitmanPro as see in this guide.
    Stay safe!

  44. Every time I try to remove Sweetpacks from progams, it doesn’t uninstall.
    I tried using Malwarebytes to remove it as well, and restarted my computer, but it remains there even after the restart.
    Advice?

  45. Finally its dead.I didn’t even install it. That’s the thing .I declined and it went ahead and installed itself anyway. I was freakin’ high-jacked.

    Needless to say I was furious at the time. I finished most of the removal before i came here looking for a way to get rid of all of it.ii did the uninstall and removals but it wouldn’t leave all together.I found after i did the last two steps added to the ones i already did and a few manual searches of my own before hand it was pretty much all gone and i didn’t need those programs you set to be installed here.

    Thanks for the help and i think you should add a warning that this program will try installing itself even when declined.

    It probably shouldn’t have but that really pissed me off all the same.No one likes being high-jacked.I got mine from the gimp digital art program.I wont be checking here for responses but if you want to tell me something or respond to this you can always find me on my deviantart here: http://ixisnyx.deviantart.com/

  46. Thank you so much, this is help me get rid of that annoying thing! I was wondering if i had a virus for days now and i decided to search google with sweetpacks and wala I found you thank god

  47. Thank You very much. I am very happy I found these instructions. God Bless and great work. I really appreciate you.

  48. Hello CC,
    Lets try to remove this infection:
    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner
    1. Download AdwCleaner from here: http://general-changelog-team.fr/fr/downloads/finish/20-outils-de-xplode/2-adwcleaner

    2.Close all open programs and internet browsers.

    3.Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.

    4.Click on Clean button. Your computer should restart.

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Next, please run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and HitmanPro as see in this guide.
    Stay safe!

  49. I have tried everything listed and this SweetPacks keeps coming back. Even after I did a system reset. I don’t even know how this ridiculous add-on got onto my computer especially since I have not downloaded anything recently and whenever I have in the past, I always make sure to look for any add-ons and not allow them to be downloaded. Thanks for the information, but I don’t know what else to do to get rid of this pesky malware.

  51. Taking ownership, renaming and then rebooting to delete worked. Very complicated process. I can’t say I got every vestige, but it hasn’t reared its head again.
    I wouldn’t have found this folder and its Trojan library without surfing my registry for “conduit”. Generally if I find Malware I note the names of files etc and then look for registry keys relating to them. So with the Conduit Search thing, I turned up the other tentacles.

  58. Hello Sara,
    Lets try to remove this infection:
    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner
    1. Download AdwCleaner from here: http://general-changelog-team.fr/fr/downloads/finish/20-outils-de-xplode/2-adwcleaner

    2.Close all open programs and internet browsers.

    3.Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.

    4.Click on Clean button. Your computer should restart.

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Next, please run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and HitmanPro as see in this guide.
    Stay safe!

  59. Yup. I remember back in the day when cnet downloads was amazing. I got everything off of there. Browsers, anti-viruses, CCleaner, Skype, etc. Now it’s all maleware garbage.

  62. that did help. The in the latest version of chrome, the sweetpacks evil was lurking in the “open these pages” tab in settings. Thanks again for the help, and a hex upon malware miscreants.

  63. Hello Shannon,
    It’s annoying however on our testing machine, the CAPTCHA pop-up (word verification) also showed, so you can type if the words, as will not harm your computer.

    Alternatively, you can follow these two steps:
    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner
    1. Download AdwCleaner from here: http://general-changelog-team.fr/fr/downloads/finish/20-outils-de-xplode/2-adwcleaner

    2.Close all open programs and internet browsers.

    3.Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.

    4.Click on Delete, then confirm each time with Ok.

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Stay safe!

  64. CNET should be hung out to dry for spreading this crap and the Sweetpack devs need to be burned to the ground for coding this !!

  69. thanks, it was invading my mozilla even after i had uninstalled!! its all good now. Awesome advice :)

  70. Hello,
    Lets try to remove this infection:
    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner

    Please run AdwCleaner (as seen on STEP 3) to remove this infection!

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Waiting for your reply to see how everything is running…

  71. Thank you for helping me get that sweetpacks junk off of my browser. I had been upset after wiping the harddrive and still having a trace but you helped me get rid of it. Thanks!

  72. Hello,
    Yes, that’s a captcha code, it’s usually used to prevent accidental uninstall. In this case, you can enter that code.

    Next, run these two programs:
    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner

    Please run AdwCleaner (as seen on STEP 3) to remove this infection!

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Waiting for your reply to see how everything is running…

  73. Thank you, Stelian! I let down my guard for a few minutes (I usually have better experiences with software posted on Cnet’s Download.com but not this time!) and you helped me avoid much frustration!

  74. Hello,

    Lets try to remove this nasty program:

    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner

    Please run AdwCleaner (as seen on STEP 3) to remove this infection!

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Waiting for your reply to see how everything is running…

  75. Thanks Stelian, your tutorial did the job. I was going to bring my laptop into the repair shop so I figured I would send you some of that dough. Enjoy.

  76. Hello,

    Lets try to remove this nasty program:

    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner

    Please run AdwCleaner (as seen on STEP 3) to remove this infection!

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Waiting for your reply to see how everything is running…

  77. Thanks. That seemed to remove Sweet Packs but I still get a small pop-up video ad from Lesstabs Advertisement

  78. Hello,

    Lets try to remove this nasty program:

    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner

    Please run AdwCleaner (as seen on STEP 3) to remove this infection!

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Waiting for your reply to see how everything is running…

  79. First thank you for your help. The only program I see to uninstall is “SweetPacks Updater Service”. When I try I get a pop-up from “IB Updater Service” stating
    “We want to make sure you are a person and not an automated system. (there are numbers in a dotted field) Please type the characters in the image above in the field below and then click okay.”
    I don’t do so because it seems suspicious. I have also gotten what appers to be a fake pop-up asking if I want to let Windows execute or something like that.
    Any thoughts? Again, thanks.

  81. I Opted to NOT install this tool bar and it went and tried to install it’s self anyway. I forced the Process to close and before it could start it’s self up again I deleted the files. Currently running Malware-bytes to erase any lingering files. It came with Daemon-Tools lite. Looks like I won’t be using that program anymore if they are going to package it with malware.

  83. Hello,

    This alert is from the windows user account control, try again to uninstall sweetpacks and when you will encounter this prompt please respond with: “Yes”.

    Stay safe!

  85. thank you so much for these excellent instructions! they were so clear and your step-wise explanations made it all so easy-to-follow. now i can rest well tonight :)

  86. Hello Jenna,

    Lets try to remove this program:
    STEP 1: Run a scan with AdwCleaner
    Please run AdwCleaner (as seen on STEP 3) to remove this infection!

    STEP 2: Run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL : http://thisisudax.org/download…

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

    Waiting for your reply to see how everything is running…

  88. Also – if Malwarebytes isn’t letting you update the definitions try Malwarebytes Chameleon. It’s in the Malwarebytes folder.

  89. thank you so much! I tried everything to get rid of that sweetpack site I hated it! Really appreciate the help especially as I’m not particularly tech-savvy. Cheers, mate. xx

  90. OH my gosh.. you are the bomb… thank you … I could not get rid of this PARASITE! Thank you on thank you… you rock big time! Whew!!

  91. While the companies that do add-on installs are a disease upon the internet it isn’t proper to refer to them as a “virus.” Terminology is important when dealing with tech.

    This is not a malicious installer– just an annoying one. Even Java is partnered with adware now.

  93. I have to agree with others on this thread. These instructions are the most complete and helpful of any I’ve found. I went through all the steps you outlined. Lastly, I ran the JRT as recommended in previous comments – and JRT *still* found and removed even more Sweetpacks components the the previous 3 scanning tools had missed. Man, this is an evil one. I sure hope all the little threads and fragments are gone now.

    Thanks again! I sent a donation your way…

  94. Thanks Stelian. Your solution is work like the charm. I just donated the money to your account. Is there any way we can put those wrote the malware into jail.

  95. Thank you so much!!! I tried everything. Your instructions were the only ones that worked!!!

  96. Hello Daniel,
    Did you run AdwCleaner? Please run AdwCleaner to remove this infection!

    Next please run Junkware Removal Tool:

    1.Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link:

    JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL: http://thisisudax.org/downloads/JRT.exe

    2. Double-click on the JRT.exe icon to start this utility.

    3. The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications.

    Waiting for your feedback.

  97. Thank you for this thread. It works! I feel like I’m constantly learning how to safely navigate the web, and when professionals such as yourself take the time to help educate the rest of us it makes a huge difference. Thanks again!

  98. Wow, you hit it on the nose about not paying strict attention to downloads. I am guilty and the thing is, not any of my malware software found it with the exception of Spybot who recognized some of it. You are so good, I can now use my default search provider. Thanks so very much!

  100. I found this writing to be extremely helpful and it helped me to get rid of the problem. The instructions themselves were written so simple even a child could understand how to get rid of this problem. Many thanks!

  101. I picked Sweetpacks up in a free download of K9 Internet Protection on CNET. These steps worked beautifully in the removal and so easy too…thanks!

  105. It looks like DAEMON Tools Lite is installing Sweetpacks as a sidecar.

    Also, the uninstaller for Sweetpacks wanted to make changes to my computer, which I didn’t think was a good idea. Fortunately, Adwcleaner removed ALL of the little monster.

    Thanks for your help.

  106. Hello Alec,
    Not smarter than us… Lets try to remove this program. Did you run Adwcleaner?
    If yes, please run a scan with Junkware Removal Tool.

    1. Download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop from the below link.
      JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download Junkware Removal Tool on your computer)
    2. Double-click on the JRT icon. For Windows Vista, 7 or 8 users, right-click the file and select Run as Administrator.
      The tool will open and start scanning your system. Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system’s specifications

  107. Sweetpacks has gotten smarter. Now when I try to remove it, I get a captcha window from “IB Updater Service,” which I’m not gullible enough to click on. Somehow, Sweetpacks has made itself un-uninstall-able. It got in past the most recent Avast software, and will not allow me to download the updated Malwarebytes files. My last Malwarebytes update is 203 days old, and as soon as I try to update the Malwarebytes, it gets to 1 – 2 % updated – – – and then goes back to 0 %. Sweetpacks is wicked.

  108. THANKS SO MUCH! Anyways for the internet explorer i could not hit reset because it demanded i closed my window but i couldnt close my window because if i did the reset button left with it and i was like wth? So i ended up going through my setting and manually deleting everything :P But ether way i found like 3 other viruses when i got rid of sweetpacks and was like YES now my browsers move so much smoother! Thanks so much!

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