How to Effectively Remove the “Safe Torrent Scanner” Chrome Extension

If you’ve recently noticed the persistent presence of the “Safe Torrent Scanner” Chrome extension every time you create a new profile, you’re not alone. Many users have encountered this frustrating issue, particularly after installing applications such as uTorrent Web or the uTorrent client for Windows. Below, we’ll explore effective strategies to eliminate this unwanted extension from your browser and prevent it from reappearing.

Understanding the Issue

The “Safe Torrent Scanner” extension can be intrusive and is often bundled with software installations that you may not have intended to activate. Even after uninstalling applications like uTorrent, it can be a struggle to eradicate this extension, as it often embeds itself more deeply into your system and browser settings than expected.

Step-by-Step Removal Process

Remove the Extension Manually:
Open Chrome and navigate to the Extensions page by typing chrome://extensions/ in the address bar.
Look for “Safe Torrent Scanner” and click “Remove” to delete it.
Reset Chrome Settings:
Access Chrome settings by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner.
Select “Settings,” scroll down, and click on “Advanced” to reveal more options.
Under “Reset and clean up,” choose “Restore settings to their original defaults.” This resets your homepage, new tab page, and search engine, and removes all extensions (though bookmarks and saved passwords remain intact).
Scan for Malware:
Although you’ve already tried several scanning tools, it’s worth repeating this step to ensure your system is clean. Use reputable software like Malwarebytes, AdwCleaner, or HitmanPro to perform a thorough scan.
Consider using multiple tools for a comprehensive assessment, as different programs may pick up various threats.
Check Installed Programs:
Go to your control panel (Windows) or applications folder (Mac) and review recently installed programs.
Uninstall any suspicious or unfamiliar applications that may have been added alongside uTorrent.
Inspect Your Startup Programs:
Ensure that “Safe Torrent Scanner” is not set to auto-start. You can check startup programs by entering msconfig in the Windows search bar and navigating to the “Startup” tab.
Create a New Chrome Profile:
As a last resort, you could create a new user profile