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

Have you ever encountered the persistent “Safe Torrent Scanner” Chrome extension? If you find this extension sneaking into your new Chrome profiles despite your efforts to remove it, you’re not alone. Many users have experienced this issue, which often arises after installing torrenting software like uTorrent. Let’s explore the steps to effectively remove this adware and prevent it from reappearing.

Understanding the Issue

It appears that the “Safe Torrent Scanner” extension is repeatedly added each time you create a new profile in Chrome, typically after installing certain applications such as uTorrent or its web version. Even after uninstalling these programs, the extension remains stubbornly integrated into your browser.

Steps to Remove the Extension

1. Manual Removal from Chrome:
2. Open Chrome and go to the top right corner, clicking on the three dots to access the menu.
3. Select More Tools > Extensions.

4. Find the “Safe Torrent Scanner” extension in the list and click Remove.

5. Reset Chrome Settings:

6. If the extension continues to appear, consider resetting your Chrome settings.
7. Navigate to Settings > Advanced > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.

8. This action can help eliminate unwanted extensions and reset Chrome to optimal performance.

9. Use Specialized Removal Tools:

10. Although you’ve tried tools like HitmanPro, AdwCleaner, and Malwarebytes, you might want to ensure they are fully updated before running scans.

11. Consider additional tools like Norton Power Eraser or Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool for a comprehensive scan.

12. Check for Suspicious Programs:

13. Go to your Control Panel (Windows) or Applications (Mac) and look for any unfamiliar programs. Uninstall anything related to torrenting that you do not recognize.

14. Reinstall Chrome:

15. If the extension reappears immediately after reinstalling Chrome, ensure you completely uninstall all browser data.
16. Uninstall Chrome, then navigate to the user data directory ([Windows: C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data] or [Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome]) and delete the ‘User Data’ folder before reinstalling.

Prevention is Key

To prevent this issue from recurring, be cautious when installing software that may bundle additional extensions. Always select the custom installation option