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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Feb 2021

How to remove SearchConverterPro

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

Alice Woods · Likes to teach users about virus prevention

SearchConverterPro – a PUP that causes redirects to a fake search site and shows ads as search results

SearchConverterPro virus

SearchConverterPro is a browser hijacker and a fake search engine. If you're redirected to this site, that means you have a potentially unwanted program[1] (PUP) installed on your device that changed your browser settings, including the default search engine, new tab, and the home page. It can affect Windows, Macs, and Androids.

Searchconverterpro.com is a fake search site that doesn't generate any search results. As soon as anything is typed in the said website, a new tab is opened, and you're redirected through feed.searchconverterpro.com, search.onlinebars.xyz, and then results from Google search are shown but on mybrowser-search.com. However, other redirection chains might be possible depending on your geolocation.

All that is done to collect your browsing-related data and show ads as the first search results. Don't visit such a site. If you're redirected to it, you have to take care of the PUP causing that. This article explains the dangers of such junkware, its popular distribution methods, and removal options.

name SearchConverterPro
type Browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP
IP address 104.24.103.177
Altered browser settings Homepage, new tad, and the default search engine
Promoted fake search site searchconverterpro.com
Redirection chain feed.searchconverterpro.com, search.onlinebars.xyz, mybrowser-search.com
Symptoms Slower internet and device performance, redirections, changed browser settings 
Risks Installation of other PUP through deceptive ads and promotional search results, privacy issues due to browsing data collection
Distribution Software bundles, deceptive ads
Removal Use reliable anti-malware software to remove this browser hijacker with all other PUPs that may cause damage and impede the performance of your device
system fix Restore any corrupted system files and settings, and wipe your browsing history and tracking cookies with the powerful FortectIntego system repair tool

Potentially unwanted programs, including browser hijackers, adware, and others, are usually advertised as tools that would improve certain aspects of your device, such as browsing security and privacy, downloading speeds, and other misleading lies.

In fact, SearchConverterPro redirects enable the browser hijacker to show unwanted ads as search results and record various browsing habits and details, including:

  • geolocations,
  • device and browser info,
  • IP addresses,
  • clicked links,
  • visited sites,
  • search inquiries, etc.

SearchConverterPro browser hijacker operators can share the collected data with third-parties, which would bombard you with advertisements tailored especially for you. That's the best outcome. Third-parties can misuse the data for their own schemes as their intentions might be mischievous.

SearchConverterPro browser hijacker

If you value your privacy and security, then stop using the fake search site. If you're redirected to this site, remove SearchConverterPro from your device with professional anti-malware software that automatically takes care of this task. If you don't own one, we recommend using either SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.

Security tools can't clean up your computer or cell phone and restore their system values. For that, you will need to use a powerful system repair tool. IT experts from OdstranitVirus.cz[2] highly advise using the FortectIntego system tune-up tool after SearchConverterPro removal to take care of these issues with a push of a button.

Avoid PUPs traveling along with other software

Potentially unwanted programs, such as TheVideoSearch virusCharmsearching virus, CoolStreamSearch virus, and others, are delivered in quite a few ways, including fake Flash installers, deceptive ads, and alike. But our cybersecurity team has reported that the most popular way PUP operators use to spread their creations is by attaching them to software bundles.[3]

People rarely have the time to read the EULA or choose the Advanced/Custom installation over the Standard/Recommended ones. And that's how PUPs get on your devices, as all software within the pack is presented for installation.

SearchConverterPro PUP

There are two ways to avoid PUPs from bundles. Either download all software directly from their creators or, when installing applications from a bundle, pick the Custom/Advanced mode and manually deselect all pre-ticked boxes of software that you have no intention of having.

Remove SearchConverterPro from your devices to avoid further PUP installations

If you experience redirects through a chain of suspicious websites when you type something into the URL bar or the altered search engine, you have SearchConverterPro virus installed on your device. This is a PUP, not malware, so it's not extremely dangerous but still poses threats.

That's why we recommend all users remove SearchConverterPro from their Mac, Windows, and Android devices. The best way to do it is by entrusting this task to trustworthy anti-malware software that would automatically take care of it and prevent such PUPs from installing on your devices in the future.

In some cases, SearchConverterPro removal has to be finished manually. We provide simple step-by-step instructions below on how to do it. Afterward, use a powerful system tune-up tool to restore any altered system values and remove tracking cookies and other browser data.

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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