How to Remove the “Safe Torrent Scanner” Chrome Extension: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’ve ever found yourself creating a new profile in Google Chrome only to have the “Safe Torrent Scanner” extension mysteriously reappear, you’re not alone. Many users have reported similar experiences, particularly after installing applications like uTorrent. This blog post will guide you through effective steps to eliminate this unwanted extension and prevent its return.

Understanding the Issue

The troubling presence of the “Safe Torrent Scanner” extension typically occurs when certain software is installed that might bundle adware. In this case, it seems to be connected to uTorrent Web or the uTorrent client. Even after uninstalling these applications, the extension continues to show up in newly created Chrome profiles—an irritating problem for many users.

Steps to Remove “Safe Torrent Scanner”

1. Check Installed Extensions Directly in Chrome

The first step is to manually inspect your installed extensions:
– Open Google Chrome.
– Click on the three vertical dots in the upper right corner and select “More Tools,” then “Extensions.”
– Look for “Safe Torrent Scanner” and remove it if it’s present.

2. Clear Out Suspicious Software

Sometimes, unwanted extensions can be associated with other software on your system. Follow these steps to check for and remove any suspicious applications:
– Go to your computer’s Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).
– Look for programs you don’t recognize or didn’t intentionally install, especially after using uTorrent.
– Uninstall any suspicious software.

3. Use Malware Removal Tools

While you’ve already attempted to use tools like HitmanPro and Malwarebytes, there’s always merit in doing a deeper scan. Consider these steps:
– Run a complete system scan with Malwarebytes and ensure that all potential threats are quarantined or removed.
– Use additional tools like AdwCleaner, which specializes in adware removal, for a second opinion.

4. Reset Chrome Settings

If the extension persists despite removing it from the extensions list, consider resetting your Chrome settings:
– Go to Chrome’s settings by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner.
– Navigate to “Advanced,” and then “Reset and clean up.”
– Click on “Restore settings to their original defaults” and confirm your choice.

5. Reinstall Chrome Completely

As a final measure, you might need to completely uninstall and reinstall Chrome:
– First, ensure all user data