GetSearchConverter – a browser-based infection that will greatly impede your browsing experience

GetSearchConverter is a browser hijacker developed to collect non-personal data and display deceptive ads in search results. It can do that by altering specific browser preferences, such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. That allows it to redirect all search inquiries through an engine of its choice.
In this case, it's feed.getsearchconverter.com. That's an address of a fake search engine. When users type something in the search bar, it will open a new tab with modified results from (depending on your geolocation and device) Yahoo, Searchlee, Bing, or other providers.
Due to its shady functions and stealthy distribution techniques, GetSearchConverter virus is categorized as a potentially unwanted program. These types of apps could endanger both your safety and privacy. This article will explain how you might have caught this infection, what its risks are, and how to remove it.
| name | GetSearchConverter |
|---|---|
| type | Redirect virus, browser hijacker, PUP |
| promoted fake search site | feed.getsearchconverter.com |
| IP address | 104.27.143.76 |
| Altered browser settings | Homepage, new tab, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Slower performance and internet connection, all searches going through a new search engine, sudden redirects to unknown sites, ads shown in search results |
| Risks | Privacy issues, installation of other PUPs, possible malware infections via deceptive ads |
| Distribution | Software bundles, freeware, fake Flash Player updates |
| Removal | All computer infections should be dealt with swiftly by using reliable anti-malware software |
| Repair | Fix any broken system files and delete any tracking cookies by using the versatile FortectIntego system tune-up tool |
GetSearchConverter browser hijacker can cause you a lot of problems. When it changes the aforementioned settings, you might see search results from untrustworthy sources. And those results will be riddled with deceptive ads. These ads could redirect you to sites with explicit, hazardous content, such as:
- push notification viruses,
- other PUP software,
- scam sites,
- porn,
- gambling, and so on.
You might be forced to visit these sites without even clicking on the ads because of GetSearchConverter redirect. Shady portals might try to steal your private information, involve you in scams, show explicit content, download malware instantly through the drive-by downloading method, etc.
Furthermore, this potentially unwanted program can record your browsing habits, including search inquiries, used apps, device/browser details, geolocations, IP address, etc. This is considered non-personal information,[1], but it could be misused for malicious purposes if it well into the wrong hands.

Therefore, you should remove GetSearchConverter ASAP. The best way to do it is by entrusting this task to dependable anti-malware software. It will automatically detect the browser hijacker with all its components and safely get rid of it. Use free security apps like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to achieve the best results.
Once GetSearchConverter removal is done, you need to clean up your device from tracking cookies and recover any damage your system files and settings sustained. Cybersecurity specialists[2] recommend using the all-in-one FortectIntego app to fix all these issues.
Prevent PUPs installations by staying away from third-party software vendors
A conducted research has revealed[3] that 31 out of 50 of the top downloads on one of the most popular software vendors on the internet had PUPs hidden within them. That reiterates the point that all programs should be downloaded directly from their developers or official distributors.
Third-party software vendors get paid for distributing shady software, such as adware, browser hijackers, and other PUPs. The method, when a pack contains more than one installer, is called software bundling. And the trick behind this is that all apps withing are preselected for installation.
Thus if you badly need some app from a bundle, you need to be cautious. You have to pick the Advanced or Custom installation mode and go step-by-step, deselecting each and every app that raises at least a bit of suspicion. Better yet, deselect all apps and install only the one you wanted in the first place.

Simple instructions to quickly remove GetSearchConverter virus
Apart from slowing down your PC, changing browser settings, GetSearchConverter ads and redirects might pose real dangers. Since potentially unwanted programs advertise other similar shady software, your device might soon be overrun with various junkware.
Whether you installed it willingly or were tricked into doing it, GetSearchConverter removal should be done immediately. To do that automatically, you will need to use trustworthy anti-malware tools with updated virus databases. Scan your PC and let the security software take care of the intruder.
You will need to reset your browsers to remove Yourlandsecurity.com from them. Below this paragraph, you'll find our free instructions for every possible browser. Please don't forget to clean up tracking cookies and perform system diagnostics with compatible software to fix any system issues.
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.

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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