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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Aug 2020

How to remove HDConverterSearch

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

HDConverterSearch is the search hijacker that triggers unwanted changes in settings regarding the browsing activities

HDConverterSearchHDConverterSearch – the search engine that manipulates settings oft the start page and the homepage, default preferences. This browser hijacker aims to affect the online traffic and users' time on the internet by showing commercial content, sponsored materials. When you visit any site of your choice this intruder triggers other pop-ups, redirects, and appearance of the material that is related to advertisements, third-party companies. There is no reason to keep the program on the machine, especially allow the extension to get added to your browser. This is the cyber threat otherwise characterized as a potentially unwanted program[1], so you need to clear this off of the machine properly. The best way to do so is with anti-malware tools and programs designed especially for the purpose.

Name HDConverterSearch
Type Browser hijacker
Issues The program focuses on redirecting the online traffic, so the user is exposed to third-party commercial content and can trigger additional installs unwantedly and unknowingly
Symptoms The web browser gets affected when the particular preferences and settings get manipulated by the PUP that runs in the background. When your default search engine is changed, you can be sure that the machine is affected by a hijack
Distribution The program can be spread by other PUPs and from insecure sites or during shady freeware installation processes
Elimination You should remove HDConverterSearch properly by running the AV tool that is designed to clear such intruders and other possibly dangerous threats
Repair Recover from the damage that this PUP might leftover and run FortectIntego that can possibly find and fix affected files

HDConverterSearch is the program that has been affecting users' browsing experiences because it alters settings and preferences to control visits and redirect people to sites of third-party sponsors. Settings of the search engine, address bar, homepage get affected at first, so your online searches display results injected with ads.

HDConverterSearch virus is called that because it manages to read and change data on associated sites, read your browsing history, and even track such details with the goal of sharing information with other companies. Your data might end up in the wrong hands, and such activities can lead to privacy issues or identity theft. 

This data-tracking[2] and shady sharing behavior is one of the many reasons that should encourage you to perform HDConverterSearch removal as soon as possible. It might not be easy when the browser extension is the one that affects your machine and performance, but you have a few options. 

Unfortunately, the installation process of the potentially unwanted program like this happens behind your back and cannot be easily controlled since the PUP developer that released this HDConverterSearch hijack relies on shady methods and software bundling. Experts[3] always talk about the risk that comes from downloading programs from the internet, but users still ignore red flags.

HDConverterSearch PUPThe process that allows you to remove HDConverterSearch from the system thoroughly should involve professional anti-malware tools because having a PUP might trigger other application installations and attract cyber intruders with more dangerous purposes. 

Remember that HDConverterSearch comes mainly as a web browser extension, so it gets added to the system by the developer without asking for proper permission. Once that is down, your machine is no longer working as it supposed to, so you experience unwanted symptoms.

Redirects, additional pop-up ads, banners, and search results injected with various hyperlinks to the malicious site indicates that the browser is affected. These intruders, like the HDConverterSearch add-on, can be persistent since the PUP manages to run in that background unnoticed. To clear all the files added behind your back – run FortectIntego or a similar cleaning tool and repair altered parts.

HDConverterSearch virus

Browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted threats use different methods for the distribution

Potentially unwanted programs rely on deceptive methods that allow tricking people into installing useless tools and browser-based programs. There are various issues regarding such content because you can visit a malicious page or agree to install dangerous applications.

You need to rely on trustworthy programs and reliable sources that ensure secure downloads of the freeware. Also, you should always go for Advanced or Custom installation options, so all the pre-packed applications get seen, and you can uncheck suspicious ones yourself. 

HDConverterSearch removal process needs to start as soon as possible

Make sure to run the anti-malware program once you notice the suspicious symptoms and try to find all the PUP traces to remove HDConverterSearch as soon as you notice changes. Any manipulations can affect the persistence and make it more difficult to clean the machine.

HDConverterSearch virus becomes annoying when PUP manages to run in the background for a while. You need an anti-malware tool that can find all the programs and annoying programs. Also, virus damage removal is important, so find a PC repair tool or cleaning application that could recover files and functions for you.

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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