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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • System tools
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Oct 2017

How to remove ConvertDocsOnline Toolbar

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

ConvertDocsOnline extension might be installed without your knowledge

Picture of ConvertDocsOnline Toolbar

ConvertDocsOnline is a toolbar created by Mindspark Interactive. The extension is supposed to covert documents and pictures via new browser’s tab. However, this application has one unpleasant feature – it might sneak inside the computer without asking user’s permission. For this reason, it is known as a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1].

The application has an official download website and is available on Chrome Web Store. However, it is also noticed spreading in software bundles as an optional download. Therefore, users who do not install free programs attentively might find the appearance of new extension might seem suspicious. Due to this reason, the PUP is often called ConvertDocsOnline virus. However, it’s not a correct term to describe it.

The toolbar is a legit program that cannot harm your device, lock your files or cause other terrible problems. However, this application is categorized as a potentially unwanted due to its mentioned distribution method. Besides, users report about slightly complicated ConvertDocsOnline removal.

The program also has other concerning features. Once you install the ConvertDocsOnline extension, you let it read and change data on visited websites, monitor and adjust browsing history, manage downloads, apps, extensions, and themes. Lastly, you agree to change your default homepage and search engine to hp.myway.com.

Therefore, if the ConvertDocsOnline hijack occurs during freeware installation, all these changes become an unpleasant surprise. However, the pop-up on the download page does not speak about data tracking activities which are highly suspicious. According to the Mindspark’s Privacy Policy, their toolbar might collect and share with third-parties this data:

  • demographic data, such as age, gender, zip or postal code;
  • geographic location obtained from your IP address;
  • browsing history;
  • interaction with ads.

This information allows creating your user’s profile and based on this knowledge to deliver targeted ads.[2] The functionality of extension allows placing third-party ads on each website you visit. However, you should be aware of suspicious ConvertDocsOnline redirect tendencies. Sometimes ads might lead to potentially dangerous sites that were created for online fraud or cyber crimes.

If you already want to remove ConvertDocsOnline from your browser, you should know that the quickest way to get rid of it is to use a reputable anti-malware tool. For this task, you can use FortectIntego, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes or another software. Additionally, you can eliminate the hijacker manually too (instructions below the article).

ConvertDocsOnline Toolbar download sources

Everything you need to know about bundling

ConvertDocsOnline might spread as an optional component in freeware and shareware bundles. It’s easy to install it unintentionally if you rely on Quick/Recommended settings that barely inform about additional third-party downloads.

To avoid infiltration of undesired apps, always choose Advanced/Custom settings and monitor each of the steps. If you are suggested to change your default search engine or install various toolbars, reject these offers by unmarking pre-selected ticks.

Uninstall ConvertDocsOnline toolbar from the browser

To remove ConvertDocsOnline manually, you have to uninstall programs and applications from the computer as well as each of the web browsers. Experts from Germany[3] also suggests resetting the browser in order to delete tracking cookies. The instructions below will show you how it’s done.

As we have mentioned earlier, automatic ConvertDocsOnline removal is quicker and simpler elimination option. Thus, if you want to speed up this procedure and protect your device from similar cyber threats, choose the right security software and run a system scan.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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