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

How to remove BestSearchConverter

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

Jake Doevan · Computer technology expert

BestSearchConverter – a potentially unwanted program that records your browsing habits

BestSearchConverter PUP

BestSearchConverter is a browser hijacker designed to redirect all searches through a fake search engine by changing particular browser preferences, including homepage, new tab, and default search provider. This enables the potentially unwanted program (PUP) to gather browsing-related data that may be shared with third parties to display advertisements tailored specially for you.

BestSearchConverter ads can be intrusive and be shown as banners, surveys, recommended search results, pop-ups, and so on. If clicked, either of them could lead to hazardous websites where social-engineering tricks could be used to trick you into submitting personal details, downloading additional PUPs, or even malware.

The promoted search engine doesn't[ generate any results itself. It redirects to a legitimate search provider (Google, Bing, Yahoo) depending on your geolocation. If feed.bestsearchconverter.com is opened each time you open your preferred browser or type in something into the URL bar, your browser has been hijacked. We'll explain how to remove the PUP, restore your browsers, and clean up your device.

name BestSearchConverter
Type Browser hijacker, PUP, redirect virus
Ip address 104.27.147.19
Altered browser settings The new tab, homepage, and the default search engine
Promoted fake search site feed.bestsearchconverter.com
Symptoms Slower device performance and an internet connection, sudden redirects to unknown websites, modified browser preferences
Risks Installation of other PUPs, privacy, and security issues
Distribution Deceptive ads, software bundles, fake installers/updaters
Removal Dependable anti-malware tools should be used to eliminate all PUPs or malware properly
repair Infections might alter device settings and files. Use the FortectIntego system repair tool to get your system back on track

BestSearchConverter, SuperPDFSearchSearchConverterProCoolStreamSearch, and other browser hijackers, might seem harmless, as they're categorized as PUPs and not malware. But that's where you're wrong. They still endanger their users by collecting data that includes IP addresses, geolocations, device and browser information, lists of visited portals, and so on.

This data may be shared with third-parties which intentions could be far more devastating than to show you specially tailored ads. Furthermore, BestSearchConverter ads might be misleading and have nothing in common with websites where you will be redirected if an ad is clicked. Usually, adware, browser hijackers, and other PUP redirect to affiliated sites with this content:

  • adult,
  • gambling,
  • fake updaters,
  • fake surveys,
  • gaming,
  • PUP installations.

Some of these websites might be safe, while others may be malicious. Apart from trying to draw out your personal details or pushing to install some worthless licensed software, some may have malicious scripts, enabling them to infect your device with malware through drive-by downloads.[1] Stay away from any suspicious content that appears due to BestSearchConverter redirects.

BestSearchConverter virus

The program that controls all the activities is called a PUP and it can run additional processes in the back to keep the hijacker persistent. So as you can see, having BestSearchConverter virus installed on your device is no joke. To get rid of it once and for all, you will need professional anti-malware software. If you don't own one, we highly recommend acquiring trustworthy tools such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.

To remove BestSearchConverter, launch the security tool and select a full system scan. Afterward, eliminate the threat along with other recommendations. Please remember to keep your anti-malware tool updated so it can prevent PUPs and malware from infecting your device and you from visiting shady websites.

To get your system back to normal, by fixing corrupted system files, clearing browsing histories, restoring registry values, and other system-related settings, you should run system diagnostics. Experts[2] suggest using the FortectIntego tool right after BestSearchConverter removal to automatically complete this process.

The most common ways potentially unwanted programs find their way to devices

Indirect consent is what differentiates PUPs[3] from malware. Junkware that's spread with software bundles is installed willingly but unknowingly. When a user chooses Standard/Recommended/Quick installation, he agrees to install all the bundle apps. You can avoid that by picking the Advanced/Custom installation and declining to install untrustworthy software.

Another way that PUPs are delivered is through deceptive ads. Some might claim that your software is outdated or that your device is infected with some hazardous malware, and the only way to get rid of it is to install promoted software. People have to remember one thing, no website is able to determine whether your software is out of date, and they can't identify virus infections. Please don't fall for such tricks.

Guidelines for BestSearchConverter PUP removal from various devices

Although PUPs can be advertised as valuable tools that would improve your device's aspects, most of them are useless and could bring only harm. Browser hijackers like BestSearchConverter virus don't provide any privacy or security upgrades. In fact, it does the exact opposite.

That why we recommend our readers to remove BestSearchConverter from all of their devices. You can do that by scanning your device with a trustworthy anti-malware tool that would automatically find, isolate, and remove the threat. In some cases, that won't be enough to get rid of the persistent infection.

Then refer to our manual BestSearchConverter removal guides below. There we explain how to reset your browsers (Chrome, Safari, etc.). Overall system health is of utmost importance, so please don't forget to perform system diagnostics with powerful system repair software.

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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