Convert Files 4 Free browser hijacker removal instructions

Convert Files 4 Free – What is it?

“Convert Files 4 Free” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some precise information, for instance, about sporting activity events, make your browser far more safe, allow downloading of any kind of web video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “Convert Files 4 Free” plugin is rather pointless because all such features are currently built-in to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. But frequently even expert users are getting caught on such an attraction. In particular cases, this hijacker is spread together with free tools.

Convert Files 4 Free Search Hijacker

How harmful is Convert Files 4 Free hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Convert Files 4 Free hijacker is also considerably hazardous for browser usage. It alters your search engine to its specific – Convertfiles4free.app, and also alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the specified sign).

Aside from seeable modifications done by Convert Files 4 Free hijacker, you can observe that a couple of your search questions are redirecting to the unfamiliar web pages, filled with web links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can consist of web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting increases if you attempt to start Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are more irritating than truly harmful. The main hazard, specifically for people who have a lot of secret information in their internet browsers, is embedded in data collecting capabilities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites, as well as various other activities are easily collected by Convert Files 4 Free hijacker.

How to remove Convert Files 4 Free 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 usually rather simple to remove. In most cases, they have a separate app that can be seen in the list of installed apps. As a result of the certain marketing tactic of Convert Files 4 Free hijacker, it can be simply tracked and removed manually. Nonetheless, if you got Convert Files 4 Free in the bundle with a free program, your PC can be infected with much more serious malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you use anti-malware programs to delete the Convert Files 4 Free PUA and all other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and clearing away various malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, severe malware, that might be present on your personal computer in the specified instance, can disable the Windows antivirus program by modifying the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such circumstances, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and remove 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 viruses, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can spectate the detected malware sorted by their possible hazard during 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 every spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all malware will be removed to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

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

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

Deleteing Convert Files 4 Free 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