TopConverterSearch is a potentially unwanted browser extension that changes browser settings without permission
TopConverterSearch is a browser hijacker[1] that most users install inadvertently after being tricked by a deceptive advertisement (for example, a fake update) or after downloading a freeware[2] app from a third-party website. Upon installation, it would attach the extension of the same name to Google Chrome, MS Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or another web browser, which would change the homepage and new tab address to portal.topconvertersearch.com.
By doing this, the hijacker ensures that users would be inclined to use the altered search tool, which, depending on the affected user's location, redirects all searches to searchlee.com, nearbyme.io, yahoo.com, or bing.com provider. Not only are results different from those provided by Google, but they are also filled with sponsored links and ads.
It is not recommended to click on TopConverterSearch ads, as you might be tricked into installing other potentially unwanted programs or providing your personal information to insecure third parties. To get rid of this unwanted behavior, you should delete the extension from your system and then clean your browser caches accordingly.
| Name | TopConverterSearch |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted browser extension |
| Distribution | Software bundles, fake updates, deceptive ads, malicious websites |
| Symptoms | Homepage and new tab address are set to portal.topconvertersearch.com; all searches are rerouted to an alternative provider; search results are filled with sponsored links and ads |
| Risks | Installation of other potentially unwanted or malicious software, personal data disclosure to unknown parties, monetary losses |
| Uninstall | Removal of browser hijackers can be performed manually or automatically with SpyHunterCombo Cleaner security software |
| Other tips | After you delete the hijacker, you should also clean your web browsers to avoid tracking and other issues. You can use FortectIntego as a quick solution |
More about TopConverterSearch
TopConverterSearch actually isn't a standalone application but a new version of a rather broad browser hijacker strain. Previous versions we have already talked about include HDPDFConverterSearch, QuickCouponSearch, and hundreds more.
The names of these apps tend to hint at some type of functionality; for example, CoolMapSearch would incline that its goal is to help users to find navigation maps or that BestMusicSearches is the best for finding music online. You should have noticed the naming pattern by now – these apps usually use three words, which almost always consist of “Search” and then two complimentary words that are meant to describe the apps' features.
However, all of these extensions are identical – they do not possess any kind of special functions besides your regular search tool that would show sponsored links at the top. Besides, the offered widgets such as the calculator or currency converter are broadly accessible online or even locally on a Windows machine.
The main foal of these browser hijackers' developers is to generate revenue through ads, and their alleged functionality is almost non-existent in terms of usefulness. Besides, TopConverterSearch would continue to collect user data, such as the IP address, search queries, links/ads clicked, timestamps, and similar.
Removal of browser hijacker
Most browser hijackers are spread as browser extensions, as their operational scope is big enough for their purpose – to show ads to users. Luckily, the removal of extensions is almost always a rather smooth process – it can be done with just a few mouse clicks. If you can't find the unwanted add-on in the “Extensions” section for some reason, proceed with the following steps:
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.
Mozilla Firefox
- 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.
MS Edge
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
ME Edge (legacy)
- 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.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Check your system thoroughly and clean your browsers
Potentially unwanted or malicious software might sometimes be installed with additional payloads and might be difficult to remove. For example, a Trojan horse might include several modules that all need to be removed in order for the infection not to return. Besides, malicious software often runs seemingly invisible background processes and shows no active windows, making it more difficult to spot the infection in the first place.
Therefore, we recommend you perform a full system scan with SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, or another powerful anti-malware software. This would ensure that all the potentially unwanted programs and malware are deleted at once automatically.
Another important step to finish the TopConverterSearch virus removal is cleaning the browser caches. As mentioned in the Privacy Policy of the app, various data is being collected automatically as follows:[3]
Non-Personal Information may be automatically transmitted by the user's device. When using our Service, we assign your device with a log file, a cookie (session or persistent), web beacons or other related technologies, to collect Non-Personal Information with respect to your activity in connection with our Service.
You can clean your browsers manually by following our instructions below or by employing the FortectIntego maintenance utility. The app can also clean your system from junk, repair corrupted registries, and replace virus-damaged system components.
Google 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.
Mozilla Firefox
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- 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.
MS Edge
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
MS Edge (legacy)
- 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.
Safari
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
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