Remove Search.hinstantconverternow.com (Virus Removal Guide)

Search.hinstantconverternow.com – a dubious search engine that spams Google Chrome and other browsers with intrusive advertisements

Search.hinstantconverternow.com is a browser hijacker^[1] created by Polarity Technologies Ltd. Although users might find the offered file conversion feature useful, they soon notice that hijacker's rerouting tendencies, invasive advertisement, and fake search results significantly diminish their browsing experience on a daily basis.

These unpleasant features are accompanied by an altered address of the start page, default search provider, and new tab. In other words, you'll be forced to visit this site each time you launch your browser. Luckily, it can be easily removed and we'll show you how.

SUMMARY
Name	Search.hinstantconverternow.com
Type	Browser hijacker
Created by	Polarity Technologies Ltd
Extension	Instant Converter Now
Symptoms	Hijacker homepage and search engine, altered search results, intrusive ads, etc.
Distribution	Software bundling
Main dangers	Malware infiltration, privacy issues
Elimination	Remove the PUP by performing a full system scan with reliable security apps
System health	Download and install Fortect Intego to fix all system-related errors

All the search inquiries that users enter into the modified search engine bring out results from Yahoo. Although there is nothing wrong with Yahoo and it is a legitimate browsing tool, if the search query is rerouted from Instant Converter Now, users will see multiple sponsored links leading to partners' websites.

Polarity earns money for every single click made (a pay-per-click scheme is used). Instead of using a hijacked Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, or Safari search engine, better remove Search.hinstantconverternow.com virus with Fortect Intego from your machine and use Yahoo, Google, Bing, or any other legitimate search provider of your choice.

Search.heasyconverter.co, Search.hinstantlyconverter.com, and Search.searchcpro.com strike extreme similarities to the article's culprit. There is no surprise there, as all of these browser hijackers were created by the same developer, and all try to lure people with “improved functionality.” Nevertheless, users soon regret using a fake search engine, as they notice the following hijackers features:

Specific pages become impossible to navigate to;
Fake search results do not bring a pleasant browsing experience as it becomes difficult to find the particular information;
Advertisements are inserted directly into legitimate websites – some of these can include auto-play video ads, pop-ups, in-text links, and similar annoying content;
Redirects might lead users to suspicious websites, including those that are potentially dangerous (phishing,^[2] malware-laden, fake update sites, etc.);

While rerouting tendencies of a hijacker might be the most threatening to your computer safety, Polarity does not take any responsibility for any damages caused during your browser sessions – as they explain that in the EULA on the official web page:

Polarity further disclaims any warranty related to your Use of the Software. You acknowledge and agree that you assume all the responsibility and risk for your Use of the Software and the results and performance thereof and your use of any Third-Party Software. <…>

IN NO EVENT WILL POLARITY, <…> BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOST DATA, LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF GOODWILL, LOST REVENUE, SERVICE INTERRUPTION, COMPUTER DAMAGE, OR SYSTEM FAILURE <…>

Additionally, Polarity collects a variety of information about you that may be shared with third parties. Such info includes search data, browser information, software data, IP address, ISP used, etc. Yes, Polarity knows everything about you, including which domains you visit, how long you stay there, and which links you click.

To avoid such intensive spying, you should take care of Search.hinstantconverternow.com removal immediately. You can check our detailed instructions below this post or get rid of it using professional security software (we recommend SpyHunter Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, although any other legitimate security tool will do the job).

PUPs can hide in software bundles

Potentially unwanted programs are called so for a reason – users do not install them intentionally. Some security experts even go as far as calling this software “legal malware” as its usage can lead to severe computer infections. However, developers or such applications often go out of their way to install them onto as many users' PCs as possible. The most prominent distribution method is software bundling – a not-so-fair marketing campaign used by freeware authors.

Nevertheless, there is something you can do about it. The first step to computer safety is caution and awareness. When installing freeware or shareware, make sure you pick Advanced or Custom installation mode instead of Recommended one. The latter will not allow you to view additional components and get rid of them before the installation of the desired application is complete. Additionally, make sure you never click the “Next” button several times as you might skip the step where you agree to the Terms of the app.

Instructions to remove Search.hinstantconverternow.com virus

Although Search.hinstantconverternow.com removal can be performed manually, we do not recommend this method for users who are not that familiar with computing technologies. The manual guide might be too complicated for regular computer users and might result in elimination failure.

Nevertheless, if you are computer-savvy enough, proceed with this method carefully (it might take some time). For those users who want to remove the browser hijacker quickly, security experts^[3] recommend relying on reputable anti-virus software. Simply download the program and run a full system 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 Search.hinstantconverternow.com

Search.hinstantconverternow.com – a dubious search engine that spams Google Chrome and other browsers with intrusive advertisements

PUPs can hide in software bundles