Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com search engine is not worth your trust

Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com functions as a fake search engine which alters query results to generate revenue for its contrivers. It is classified as a browser hijacker since it takes over your regular browser and insists on using its services daily[1].
To trick gullible people into using it, Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com has a built-in button to redirect to a PDF file converter. Some users might find it useful and start trusting its services. However, this is merely an attempt to benefit from inexperienced computer users.
After it successfully infiltrates on the system, the user is continuously redirected to http://search.hconvert2pdfnow.com/. Besides, malicious plug-ins and extensions support hijackers activity and reset the modified browser settings once the computer user tries to change them.
Thus, note that Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com removal is highly complicated. If you are currently suffering from the hijacker, head straight to the elimination guide at the end of this article.
Those who still believe that Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com is a legitimate search provider should know that it tracks your browsing activity. The questionable program gathers information which may include your search queries, history, IP address or other browsing-related details.

While it might seem insignificant, the developers of Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com virus use the collected data to display ads that correspond to your interest. As a result, you unconsciously are attracted to click on them and increase pay-per-click revenue for the contrivers.
If that is not enough, the promoted advertisements might redirect you to highly suspicious pages and increase the risk of getting infected with ransomware[2]. Therefore, we advise you to remove Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com right now with the help of FortectIntego or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.
Learn how browser hijackers sneak into your PC
If you think that crooks have infiltrated the potentially unwanted programs on your computer remotely, this is not the case. In fact, probably you have unconsciously installed the hijacker by yourself.
To take advantage of people who are in a rush, developers bundle their unreliable programs with other regular applications. The information about the hijacker is hidden among the optional components of the program. Therefore, if people skip the installation steps, they install the PUPs by themselves.
To avoid questionable applications, you can pick Custom/Advanced settings of the installer and de-select all marks that have been selected before. Additionally, it is vital to monitor the download/installation process carefully.
Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com removal guide
As mentioned above, Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com removal is complicated — the hijacker has installed numerous additional extensions which help it to disrupt your browsing experience. If you are not aware of the names they possess, it may get tricky to delete them.
Note that experts from Virusi.bg[3] warn about the possibility to mix the browser extensions with computer processes. Since they are vital for your OS removing them might cause permanent damage to your PC.
Therefore, we recommend you to take Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com virus seriously and employ a reputable security software to get rid of it. Download the antivirus from verified developers and examine your files.
However, if you still seek to remove Search.hconvert2pdfnow.com manually, feel free to use the guide below. Make sure to do not skip steps otherwise it might lead to an unsuccessful termination of the hijacker.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

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

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

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

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

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- 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.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- 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.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

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

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

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

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

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

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- 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:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

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

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

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

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