Remove Online Video Converter (virus)

Online Video Converter is the site focused on advertising and pushing installation of useless apps

Displaying Online Video Converter

Online Video Converter is an adware-type virus that causes numerous ads while people are browsing online. While it is a legitimate online web application offering quick files conversion from Youtube and similar sources, the OnlineVideoConverter virus has already annoyed its victims by filling their searches with in-text links, banner ads, and similar content. The app can be used via hxxps://www.onlinevideoconverter.com/ or an extension can be downloaded for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Safari browsers. Despite it being legitimate, dangerous redirecting tendencies make most of the users question its functionality.

Name	Online Video Converter virus
Type	PUP, adware
Main problems caused	Continuous pop-up ads, scams, and redirects to unknown websites
Distribution	Freeware bundling, deceptive sites
removal	To get rid of the adware rely on anti-malware tools
Main dangers	There is a possibility of being redirected to a malicious website seeking to swindle personal information or infect the system with malware
Repair	Try to run Fortect Intego for the improvement in systems' performance

If users check their browser stores, they will not find the mentioned extension. It can only be downloaded from the official website. Nevertheless, the most prevalent distribution method of this questionable application is bundling. Adware^[1] programs are often distributed using this method.

A lot of people might find the app useful as it can convert various video files from one format to another. However, this service is free for a reason. The main problem with the OnlineVideoConverter virus is that it displays a substantial amount of ads, popups, offers, deals, banners, and similar non-stop. In most cases, the browser extension^[2] is the culprit.

In some cases, popups might display phishing messages (such as Win an iPhone X scam or E.tre456_worm_osx scam) which can lead to monetary loss or personal information disclosure. The data leak might be used by cybercriminals to attack victims and steal their identity or/and their money. Thus, you should remove Online Video Converter ads ASAP.

Also, this extension can cause continual redirects while users browse the internet. These rerouting tendencies can be potentially dangerous, and victims might end up on websites that can run malicious JavaScripts to download and install malware on their PCs.

Hence, it is essential to initiate Online Video Converter removal before it can cause any damage to your computer. The easiest way to eliminate unwanted applications is by employing a reputable security tool like SpyHunter Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes Malwarebytes. This application is designed to deal with not only adware and PUPs but also much more dangerous viruses, such as ransomware or spyware.

Users who do not have an extension installed and decide to use the service might still be at risk. As soon as a user enters the link of the file to be converted, he is exposed to numerous ads and popups. Developers of the service state in the website privacy policy that they take no responsibility for the third-party content:

The Website may contain links to third party websites that are not owned or controlled by OnlineVideoConverter.com. OnlineVideoConverter.com is not affiliated with those websites, has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third party websites.

Online Video Converter virus

Unwanted programs spread around using misleading content

Research conducted by wubingdu.cn^[3] concluded that adware is typically distributed by employing bundling tactics. Sadly, this questionable distribution method is entirely legitimate and used by many free software developers all over the world. Thus, it is essential to be attentive while browsing the internet and installing freeware.

Questionable applications can be avoided by following these rules:
Never download programs from third-party websites. Pick an official download source;
Before installing an unknown application, always check reviews online – it can help you to decide whether you need the app;
While installing free software, make sure to pick Advanced/Custom settings instead of Recommended/Default ones. Bundling allows developers to hide additional components in Recommended/Default mode. Therefore, untick any pre-checked tick marks if you see any;
Read through EULA/Privacy Policy before you proceed with the installation. Quite often, the most critical information about the program is described there;
Avoid websites of dubious content (such as online gambling, porn, free online gaming, etc.).

Remove Online Video Converter and stop those advertising campaigns

If you noticed that ads from onlinevideoconverter.com are continuously disturbing your browsing sessions, you should hurry up and eliminate unwanted extensions from your PC. If you wonder how to remove Online Video Converter ads – there are two easy ways to do that. You can pick either a manual or automatic method.

We do not recommend you to uninstall the shady application manually because you need to be familiar with computer processes and similar components. However, if you are confident that you can accomplish manual elimination yourself, you can check our step-by-step guide below this article. Remember, the execution of this process must be precise as you risk re-infection of the virus.

Anyone can perform automatic OnlineVideoConverter virus removal. All you have to do is download robust security software. Then, follow the instructions provided during the installation, update the program to the latest version, and carry out a full computer scan.

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.

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.

How to remove Online Video Converter

Online Video Converter is the site focused on advertising and pushing installation of useless apps

Unwanted programs spread around using misleading content