FreeSearchConverters – What is it?

“FreeSearchConverters” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually promoted as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some certain info, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your browser a lot more safe, allow downloading of any video clip, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “FreeSearchConverters” plugin is fairly useless due to the fact that all such functions are currently integrated to your web browser and/or system. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even expert users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain scenarios, this hijacker is distributed together with free software.

FreeSearchConverters Search Hijacker

How harmful is FreeSearchConverters hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, FreeSearchConverters hijacker is also rather hazardous for browser usage. It alters your search engine to its specific – Freesearchconverters.com, and additionally modifies your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the mentioned symptom).

In addition to visual alterations done by FreeSearchConverters hijacker, you may notice that some of your search queries are redirecting to the uncertain sites, filled with web links and ads – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can have links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you attempt to open Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are far more irritating than really damaging. The largest threat, primarily for people who have a great deal of confidential information in their web browsers, is embedded in information gathering capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, and various other activities are simply collected by FreeSearchConverters hijacker.

How to remove FreeSearchConverters search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are typically quite simple to delete. Usually, they have a separate app that can be found in the list of installed apps. Due to the certain distribution tactic of FreeSearchConverters hijacker, it can be easily tracked and erased manually. Nonetheless, if you got FreeSearchConverters in the package with a free program, your system may be infected with far more harmful malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d recommend you make use of anti-malware programs to delete the FreeSearchConverters PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and eliminating different malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, major malware, that may be present on your computer in the specified instance, can disable the Windows antivirus program by editing the Group Policies. To avoid such scenarios, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all malicious applications on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious apps, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can observe the detected viruses sorted by their possible hazard till the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for each detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all the viruses will be removed to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be intercepted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be located in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing FreeSearchConverters hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender