SearchConverterPro (Virus Removal Instructions) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
SearchConverterPro Removal Guide
What is SearchConverterPro?
SearchConverterPro – a PUP that causes redirects to a fake search site and shows ads as search results
SearchConverterPro is a browser hijacker that redirects to fake search engine
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 can collect browsing-related data
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 SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
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 virus, Charmsearching 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 ads are shown as search results
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.
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.
Getting rid of SearchConverterPro. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
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.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- 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
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
Uninstall from Android
Uninstall unwanted programs from Android device:
- Go to Settings -> Apps/Applications.
- Expand the full list of the installed apps.
- Scroll through the list and tap on a suspicious application once.
- Tap on it and select Uninstall.
- Reboot the device.
Clear Storage and data files on Android from Google Chrome or other apps:
- Go to Settings > Apps/Applications.
- Expand the full list of the installed apps.
- Tap on Chrome and select Storage & cache.
- Clear storage and clear cache of the app.
If you are seeing ads on top of other apps but are not sure what is causing it, perform the following steps:
- Go to Apps/Applications.
- Tap Advanced.
- Select Special App access.
- Tap on Display over other apps.
- Eliminate apps with these access rights enabled.
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 SearchConverterPro 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
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
- ^ Chris Hoffman. PUPs Explained: What is a “Potentially Unwanted Program”?. Howtogeek. Online technology magazine.
- ^ OdstranitVirus. Odstranitvirus. Spyware and security news.
- ^ Software. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.