How to uninstall FreeSearchConverters browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is FreeSearchConverters?
Browser hijackers are potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) designed to make changes in settings of hijacked browsers to promote some questionable address (typically, a fake search engine). Research shows that FreeSearchConverters is designed to promote the freesearchconverters.com address and collect browsing data. It is worth mentioning that browser hijackers are called PUAs because it is uncommon for them to be dowloaded and installed intentionally.
In most cases, browser hijackers are designed to modify settings such as the address of a default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Usually, they change those addresses to an address of some fake search engine. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, FreeSearchConverters promotes the freesearchconverters.com address.
At the time of the research, this fake search engine showed results generated by Yahoo (redirected to search.yahoo.com) and searchlee.com. Although, it could show results generated by other search engines as well. It is important to mention that Yahoo Search is a legitimate search engine, but searchlee.com is not. Searchlee.com may include links to untrustworthy websites and questionable advertisements in its results.
Therefore, it is highly advisable not to trust freesearchconverters.com. It is noteworthy that fake search engines (their addresses) cannot be removed from settings of hijacked browsers, not until browser hijackers are removed from them. It is because most of the apps of this type are designed to keep their settings unchangeable while they are installed on browsers or computers.
Another reason not to trust browser hijackers is that they can be monetized by designing them to collect information that could be used for marketing purposes, sold to third parties (e.g., Internet Protocol addresses, visited websites, entered search queries, geolocations). What is worse, some browser hijackers may be capable of collecting data that could be used to steal online accounts, commit identity fraud, make unauthorized purchases, transactions, etc. In one way or another, it is strongly recommended not to download or install any browser hijackers.
| Name | FreeSearchConverters |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | FreeSearchConverters |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | freesearchconverters.com |
| Serving IP Address (freesearchconverters.com) | 172.67.178.25 |
| 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 Combo Cleaner. |
More examples of browser hijackers are Quick WordCount, Dark Mode, and Search By QuickNewtab. It is worth mentioning that apps of this type can be advertised as legitimate, useful, etc. However, most of them rarely function as they are advertised.
Typically, browser hijackers are useless and can be the culprit of problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, and other issues. In conclusion, it is highly advisable not to trust/use both browser hijackers and fake search engines. It is recommended to browse the web using Google, Yahoo, Bing, or other legitimate search engines.
How did FreeSearchConverters install on my computer?
Quite often, browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted applications are distributed by using a method called bundling. When PUAs are distributed using this method, they can be found in downloaders or installers for other programs as extra offers.
As a rule, offers to download or install included applications can be rejected before finishing downloads, installations. It can be done by unticking some ticked checkboxes or through "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" or other settings/options.
When users download or install programs that are bundled with PUAs without changing those settings, they download or install those PUAs as well. In other cases, users unknowingly cause undesired downloads or installations by clicking advertisements that are designed to run certain scripts. Usually, ads of this type are displayed on various untrustworthy pages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Files and applications should be downloaded from legitimate, official web pages and through direct links. It is common for third-party downloaders, installers, unofficial sites, Peer-to-Peer networks (for example, torrent clients, eMule), etc., to be used to distribute potentially unwanted applications. Downloads and installations should be finished only after checking whether downloaders or installers include unwanted offers.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, offers to download or install usually can be declined via "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings. Additionally, it is recommended not to click advertisements that questionable pages have on them. Ads on those pages can be designed to open other untrustworthy websites or download (or install) unwanted applications.
Unwanted, unknown or suspicious extensions, add-ons, or plug-ins installed on a web browser and programs of this kind installed on the operating system should be uninstalled. If your computer is already infected with FreeSearchConverters, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Freesearchconverters.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
Freesearchconverters.com redirects to searchlee.com (GIF):
Website promoting FreeSearchConverters browser hijacker:
Notification saying that FreeSearchConverters can read and change certain data:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is FreeSearchConverters?
- STEP 1. Uninstall FreeSearchConverters application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove FreeSearchConverters browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove freesearchconverters.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove freesearchconverters.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove freesearchconverters.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
FreeSearchConverters browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 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.
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.
macOS (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, "FreeSearchConverters"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the freesearchconverters.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
FreeSearchConverters 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 "FreeSearchConverters" 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 "FreeSearchConverters", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.freesearchconverters.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 "freesearchconverters.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 freesearchconverters.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 "FreeSearchConverters", 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 "FreeSearchConverters", remove hxxp://freesearchconverters.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 freesearchconverters.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 freesearchconverters.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://freesearchconverters.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 "FreeSearchConverters".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the freesearchconverters.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.
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