How to Remove the “Safe Torrent Scanner” Chrome Extension from Your Browser

If you’ve been experiencing the frustrating issue of the “Safe Torrent Scanner” Chrome extension automatically appearing in your browser every time you create a new profile, you’re not alone. Many users have noticed this unwanted extension infiltrating their Chrome settings, and for most, it seems to have originated after installing uTorrent Web or the uTorrent client for Windows.

Identifying the Root Cause

The problem often arises when software like uTorrent includes adware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) during installation. While you’ve already taken the commendable step of uninstalling both uTorrent and its web version, the persistence of the “Safe Torrent Scanner” extension indicates that it may have left behind lingering components that continue to affect your browser.

Attempted Solutions

To combat this unwelcome invader, you’ve rightly turned to several popular malware removal tools, including HitmanPro, AdwCleaner by Malwarebytes, and Malwarebytes itself. However, if none of these scans have detected the extension, it’s likely that the root issue lies deeper in your system’s configurations.

Additionally, while you’ve tried reinstalling Chrome, it seems that the extension reappears almost immediately after installation. This suggests that the extension may be linked to another application on your system or is being restored from a backup.

Effective Steps to Remove the Extension

Here are several steps you can take to effectively eliminate the “Safe Torrent Scanner” extension and prevent it from reappearing:

Check Installed Programs: Go through your list of installed programs. Look for any unfamiliar or recently installed applications that you do not recall authorizing. Uninstall them if you find anything suspicious.
Delete Browser Profiles: If the problem persists, consider deleting all Chrome profiles, not just the one you’re using. Sometimes, corrupt profiles can carry over unwanted settings. Save your bookmarks and necessary data, then go to Chrome settings and remove all profiles before creating a fresh one.
Reset Chrome Settings: Navigate to Chrome’s settings and perform a reset. This will restore your browser to its default settings, which can help eradicate the extension. To do this, go to Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Use Malware Removal Tools Again: Since you’ve already tried a few, it may be beneficial to use a combination of different malware removal tools. Programs like AdwCleaner, Malwarebytes,