How to remove ReSearchConverter browser hijacker? — Fix Guide

ReSearchConverter – What is it?

“ReSearchConverter” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some precise info, for instance, about sport events, make your browser far more safe, enable downloading of any video, and so on.

Nevertheless, the “ReSearchConverter”plugin is rather ineffective because all such functions are already embedded to your browser and/or Windows. Such marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But often even professional users are getting caught on such a lure. In particular cases, this hijacker is dispersed together with free apps.

ReSearchConverter Search Hijacker

How harmful is ReSearchConverter hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, ReSearchConverter hijacker is likewise fairly harmful for browser utilization. It alters your search engine to its particular – Portal.researchconverter.com, and additionally alters your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, changing it to default with the mentioned symptom).

Aside from seeable modifications done by ReSearchConverter hijacker, you might discover that a couple of your search queries are redirecting to the suspicious web pages, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can consist of links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting rises if you attempt to launch Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are a lot more frustrating than truly destructive. The major hazard, primarily for individuals who have a huge amount of secret information in their web browsers, is installed in information collecting functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages, and various other activities are simply collected by ReSearchConverter hijacker.

How to remove ReSearchConverter 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 rather easy to delete. Most of the times, they have an independent app that can be spotted in the list of installed applications. As a result of the certain marketing tactic of ReSearchConverter hijacker, it can be simply tracked and removed by hand. However, if you got ReSearchConverter in the bundle with a free application( s), your personal computer may be contaminated with a lot more major malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you utilize anti-malware programs to deal with the ReSearchConverter PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and clearing away various malware, including named hijacker. However, severe malware, that might be present on your personal computer in the mentioned instance, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To prevent such situations, it is better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and erase all unwanted programs on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious programs, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can observe the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible hazard simultaneously with the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for every spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be intercepted by any malware, 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 displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing ReSearchConverter 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