TopSearchConverter – a PUP that causes redirects, ads, and records browsing habits

TopSearchConverter is a browser hijacker that modifies particular browser settings in order to redirect all search inquiries through a fake search site. It also displays ads, causes sudden redirects to questionable sites, and collects various browsing-related data. Due to its peculiarities and distribution specifics, this intruder is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
Altered browser preferences include the default search engine, new tab, and homepage. TopSearchConverter.com ads might be shown as pop-ups, banners, altered search results, recommended searches, etc. Most of them are misleading because the contents and the portals you will be redirected to if you click on any of them are totally different and have nothing in common.
These websites might pose dangers to your privacy and security. You could even be redirected to them without clicking any ads, as redirects might happen. If you've spotted any of the symptoms, then we're delighted you came to us to resolve these issues, and we'll try not to let you down. This article contains PUP's summary, distribution methods, and removal options.
| name | TopSearchConverter |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, PUP, push notification virus |
| IP address | 172.67.153.23 |
| Altered browser settings | Homepage, default search engine, and new tab |
| Promote search site | feed.topsearchconverter.com |
| Symptoms | An extensive amount of ads, redirects, slower device performance, changed browser settings |
| Risks | Deceptive ads might cause other PUP installations, privacy loss |
| Distribution | Freeware bundles, deceptive ads, fake Flash installers, fake updaters |
| Removal | Users should scan their devices with trustworthy anti-malware software to eliminate any PUPs, malware, and suspicious files |
| System fix | Wipe tracking cookies, fix corrupted system files, restore altered settings by using the powerful FortectIntego system tune-up tool |
Apart from redirects, altered search results, and changed browser settings, TopSearchConverter browser hijacker is also trying to push its users to subscribe to push notifications. If the Allow button is pushed, it will allow the PUP to send spam messages directly to your phone screen or desktop, even when the browser is closed.
TopSearchConverter ads might be harmful in more than one way. Shown ads have nothing in common with the portals you'll be redirected to. For example, an ad stating some breaking news might redirect you to:
- porn sites,
- gambling portals,
- gaming pages,
- PUP websites,
- tech scams, etc.
All these mischievous websites will try to either push you to install unnecessary apps, draw out private details, lure you into gambling, and so on. None of these ads displayed as notifications, pop-ups, or altered search results should ever be clicked on.
Furthermore, the TopSearchConverter virus can collect your non-personal details, including device and browser info, search inquiries, IP addresses, geolocations, used apps, visited sites, etc. Advertisers mainly use this information to show you ads, but it might be misused if it got into the wrong hands.

Therefore, you should remove TopSearchConverter from all your devices immediately. The best way to do it is by running a full system scan with reliable anti-malware software, such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. Either of these security apps will take care of the intruder and protect your systems from threats in the future.
System files and settings might get altered, causing crashes, BSoD,[1] and other abnormal system behavior. Hence, after TopSearchConverter removal, IT experts[2] highly recommend performing system diagnostics with a powerful system repair tool like the FortectIntego or similar.
Deceptive ads and freeware bundles – two of the most popular PUP distribution methods
We've all encountered misleading ads in our lives. They might promise an unreal software/hardware deal, an amazing gossip story on a beloved celebrity, and so on and so forth. PUP operators use these ads to push their worthless creations. They might advertise them as a must-have tool that will boost your device or download speed by a few hundred percent.
Of course, all of these claims are plain lies made to convince gullible people into downloading PUPs. Please don't trust any ad that offers you a deal too good to be true. In addition, websites stating that your device is infected with a virus or that its software needs an update must never be trusted, closed, and never visited again.

Another popular technique for PUP distribution is software bundles.[3] These are usually downloaded from third-party vendors and include installers for at least 2 or more apps. The key to evading PUPs traveling this way is to choose the Advanced/Custom installation mode and deselect untrustworthy apps from being installed on your device.
Remove TopSearchConverter virus with reliable anti-malware tools
If one PUP is installed on your device, others might be knocking on your door real quick. That's why you should remove TopSearchConverter immediately before more intruders alike infected your machines. First, you'll need to perform a full system scan with trusty anti-malware software.
Once it eliminates the browser hijacker, run a system tune-up with powerful system repair tools. That will delete tracking cookies and restore corrupted system files and altered settings. In some cases, the redirects and notifications don't stop even after TopSearchConverter removal because it's installed as a browser extension.
Since we're here to guide you from the start to the finish line, below you will find free detailed instructions on how to restore your browser settings (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) on any affected device (Mac, Windows, Android).
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.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

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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