How to remove GetConverterSearch browser hijacker? — Fix Guide

About GetConverterSearch hijacker origins

GetConverterSearch search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some particular info, for instance, about sporting activity events, make your web browser a lot more safe, enable downloading of any kind of web video, and so on.

Nevertheless, the GetConverterSearch plugin is quite ineffective due to the fact that all such features are already embedded to your browser and/or Windows. Such marketing slogans are targeted on low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even experienced users are getting caught on such an appeal. In particular instances, this hijacker is distributed together with free tools.

How harmful is GetConverterSearch hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, GetConverterSearch hijacker is also rather unsafe for web browser utilization. It changes your search engine to its specific – portal.getconvertersearch.com, and additionally modifies your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the specified symbol).

Aside from visual alterations done by GetConverterSearch hijacker, you can see that many of your search questions are redirecting to the unknown websites, filled with links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can contain the links for malware downloading. The chance of redirecting rises if you attempt to open Google search page forcibly.

But all these activities are more irritating than really dangerous. The most important hazard, particularly for individuals who have a great deal of confidential information in their web browsers, is installed in information gathering functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites and other activities are easily collected by GetConverterSearch hijacker.

How to remove GetConverterSearch 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 easy to deal with. For the most part, they have an independent application that can be spotted in the list of installed programs. As a result of the certain marketing way of GetConverterSearch hijacker, it can be simply tracked and deleted by hand. However, if you got GetConverterSearch in the package with a free program( s), your personal computer can be infected with a lot more severe malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I ‘d recommend you to use anti-malware tools to delete the GetConverterSearch PUA and all other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and eliminating a wide range of malware, including named hijacker. However, serious malware, that might exist on your PC in the discussed situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such scenarios, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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

You can see the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

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

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing GetConverterSearch 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 the time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of 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