How to remove ConverterSearchTool from a browser?

ConverterSearchTool browser hijacker removal instructions

What is ConverterSearchTool?

ConverterSearchTool is designed to change certain browser settings to convertersearchtool.com, the address of a fake search engine. Also, it is designed to collect various browsing-related details. It is worthwhile to mention that in most cases users do not download and install browser hijackers intentionally, for this reason ConverterSearchTool (and other apps of this type) are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines/their addresses by changing browser settings such as: address of the default search engine, homepage and new tab. This particular app changes these settings to convertersearchtool.com, therefore, its users are forced to visit this address when they enter search queries into browser's URL bar, open a browser/new window and new tab. Convertersearchtool.com is called a fake search engine because it redirects users to search.yahoo.com - it provides results generated by Yahoo. In other words, convertersearchtool.com does not generate unique results, it provides results generated by another, legitimate search engine instead. As a rule, apps like ConverterSearchTool are designed to make sure that users could not remove the address that they promote from browser settings. It means that convertersearchtool.com can be removed or changed to any other address only when ConverterSearchTool not installed anymore. Another problem with ConverterSearchTool is that it can read data related to user's browsing habits. It is common that apps of this type target geolocations, IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, etc. However, in some cases they are capable of accessing sensitive, personal information as well. It is possible that ConverterSearchTool's developers may misuse gathered information to generate revenue. For example, they may sell it to third parties (potentially cyber criminals). It means that users who have a browser hijacked by an app like ConverterSearchTool may experience problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, or even become victims of identity theft. Therefore, browser hijackers should never be downloaded and installed.

Threat Summary:

Name	ConverterSearchTool
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	ConverterSearchTool
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	convertersearchtool.com
Serving IP Address (convertersearchtool.com)	104.27.185.37
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. ▼ Download Malwarebytes To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.

A couple more examples of apps like ConverterSearchTool are StreamSiteSearch, MagicMovieSearch and Wowbrowse. Typically, their main purpose is to promote some fake search engine by modifying browser settings. Also, quite often browser hijackers are designed to collect certain data. Either way, it is common that they are useless to their users and can be the culprit of various issues. If ConverterSearchTool or other app of this type is installed on a browser and/or computer, then it should be removed.

How did ConverterSearchTool install on my computer?

There is a popular method to distribute potentially unwanted apps called "bundling". Developers who use it include PUAs in download and/or installation setups of other programs as extra offers. Usually, these offers can be found and declined in "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" or other settings of setups, or unticking certain available checkboxes. PUAs get downloaded and/or installed when users do not change the aforementioned settings before completing downloads and/or installations. Additionally, unwanted apps can be distributed via deceptive ads that, if clicked, cause download and/or installation of some unwanted application by executing certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised not to use Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients), unofficial websites, third party downloaders, installers, etc., neither to download or install software, files. They can be used as tools to distribute unwanted or even malicious apps. Programs, files should be downloaded from official pages and via direct download links. Download or installation setups with settings like "Advanced", "Manual, "Custom", certain checkboxes should be checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Advertiements that appear on dubious sites should not be clicked - they can be designed to open other untrustworthy pages or even execute scripts that would cause download and/or installation of unwanted software. Any unwanted, suspicious or unknown extensions, add-ons or plug-ins that are already installed on a browser should be removed. The same applies to software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with ConverterSearchTool, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Convertersearchtool.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

Notification saying that ConverterSearchTool can read and change certain data:

Website promoting ConverterSearchTool browser hijacker (Firefox):

Website promoting ConverterSearchTool browser hijacker (Chrome):

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Malwarebytes By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.

Quick menu:

• What is ConverterSearchTool?
• STEP 1. Uninstall ConverterSearchTool application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove ConverterSearchTool browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove convertersearchtool.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove convertersearchtool.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
• STEP 6. Remove convertersearchtool.com redirect from Internet Explorer.

ConverterSearchTool browser hijacker removal:

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

Windows XP users:

Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.

Windows 10 and Windows 8 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Mac OSX users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "ConverterSearchTool"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the convertersearchtool.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

ConverterSearchTool browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "ConverterSearchTool" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "ConverterSearchTool", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.convertersearchtool.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "convertersearchtool.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the convertersearchtool.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "ConverterSearchTool", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "ConverterSearchTool", remove hxxp://convertersearchtool.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with convertersearchtool.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the convertersearchtool.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://convertersearchtool.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "ConverterSearchTool".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the convertersearchtool.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove convertersearchtool.com redirect from your Internet browsers, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.

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