SearchConverterIt (Virus Removal Instructions)

SearchConverterIt Removal Guide

What is SearchConverterIt?

SearchConverterIt – a PUP that injects ads into your search results

SearchConverterIt browser hijackerPlease don't download or install this browser hijacker as it may pose dangers to your privacy and security

SearchConverterIt is a browser hijacker that modifies browser settings such as the default search engine, new tab, and homepage without your permission. That enables it to redirect all your search inquiries through fake search engines until results from Yahoo, Bing, or other search providers of its choice are displayed.

This browser intruder is also capable of injecting ads into search results. These ads could redirect you to questionable or even dangerous websites. Furthermore, it can gather non-personal information, such as geolocations, IP addresses, device/browser info, visited sites, search inquiries, etc.

It's not recommended to have any potentially unwanted programs[1] (PUPs) installed on any of your devices as they could pose real dangers. By reading this article, you'll find out how such software is spread, what are the risks of having it, and how to remove it.

name SearchConverterIt
Type Browser hijacker, PUP
altered browser settings New tab, homepage, default search engine
Appointed fake search site feed.searchconverterit.com, portal.searchconverterit.com
IP address 104.21.32.6, 172.67.182.27
Symptoms Search results are displayed from a different provider than before and contain ads; the device is running slower; decreased browsing speed
Risks PUP and malware infections, security and privacy issues
Distribution Fake Flash Player updates, official web stores, software bundles, deceptive ads
Elimination Scan the infected device with a trustworthy security tool to remove any infections. Please remember to update virus signatures constantly so the anti-malware software could block the latest threats
System health check PUPs cause havoc on system directories and settings, which may cause BSoDs, severe lag, and other system failures. You can resolve all system-related issues by performing system diagnostics with the time-tested FortectIntego system repair tool

New browser hijackers are created every day. For a short period of time, they can be falsely advertised on official marketplaces, such as Google Chrome Web Store, before they're taken down. But Make Changes virus, VideoSearchz virus, SearchConverterIt virus, and cyberthreats alike can also be delivered through various stealthy techniques, such as :

  • Software bundles,
  • deceptive ads,
  • file-sharing platforms,
  • fake Flash Player updates, etc.

These PUPs generate revenue by redirecting you to their affiliated pages. They can do that either by showing you deceptive ads that have nothing to do with the pages you'll end up on if they're clicked and by causing sudden redirects where a browser is launched (or a new tab opened) with sponsored content.

And that's the riskiest attribute of SearchConverterIt because you could end up on questionable, shady, or even malicious portals. Some advertised pages might be harmless, but others could try to draw out your private details, involve you in various scams, infect your device instantly with severe malware through drive-by downloads,[2] and so on.

SearchConverterIt adsThis PUP changes your browser preferences and injects ads into search results from a provider of its choice

Therefore, if you installed the article's culprit, either willingly or not, you have to remove it, and the sooner, the better. For this task, it would be best if you used a reliable anti-malware tool such as Malwarebytes or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner. Either of these free security apps will automatically eliminate threats.

Afterward, a system tune-up is in order to repair any damage that your device's system files and settings sustained. IT specialist,[3] highly recommend using the time-proven FortectIntego system diagnostics tool to resolve any system irregularities so you could enjoy your device anew.

Take cybersecurity matters into your own hands

Since the beginning of malware, it evolved into a huge illegal business. There are various types of malware, and cybercriminals are always developing more sophisticated, harder to detect, and more ferocious infections that can affect smartphones, Mac, and Windows computers.

That's why everyone who uses the internet for work or leisure should improve their cybersecurity level. Stick to the guidelines below, and you might evade serious infections or minimize the damage if any of them slip by:

  • Install the latest updates (except BETA versions) to all software installed on your device, especially the operating system.
  • Store backups of all critical data on two at least two separate devices. One storage should be offline.
  • Use trustworthy anti-malware software to scan your device twice a week. Frequently update its virus database with the latest virus signatures.
  • Learn about the most popular malware spreading methods online.
  • Maintain your device's overall health by using a time-proven system diagnostics tool.

SearchConverterIt virusWhen installed, this browser intruder redirects all search inquiries through a fake search engine

Simple instructions to remove SearchConverterIt virus from your browser and system

If feed.searchconverterit.com opens each time when you launch your browser or open a new tab, that means a potentially unwanted program hijacked your browser. Luckily, this infection is not as dangerous as malware, but it still should be taken care of quickly.

To begin its removal process, you have to scan your device with a security tool. Download and install reliable anti-malware software that will remove the threat automatically. Afterward, use our free instructions below to remove the PUP from your browser (it might be installed as an extension).

And lastly, run system diagnostics with compatible system repair tools to undo any changes that SearchConverterIt browser hijacker has made to system files and settings. If these alterations are left unattended, your device might constantly crash, freeze, or exhibit other abnormal behavior.

You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of SearchConverterIt. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

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 on Uninstall at the bottom. 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 Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

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

If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:

    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose Advanced MS Edge reset 2

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. 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 unwanted plugin 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 Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of SearchConverterIt registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

How to prevent from getting browser hijacker

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Olivia Morelli
Olivia Morelli - Ransomware analyst

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