How to remove SocialSearchConverter browser hijacker? — Fix Guide

SocialSearchConverter – What is it?

“SocialSearchConverter” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some special info, for instance, about sport events, make your browser far more secure, enable downloading of any type of video, et cetera.

Nonetheless, the “SocialSearchConverter” plugin is rather ineffective due to the fact that all such features are already embedded to your web browser and/or system. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But often even expert users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain scenarios, this hijacker is spread along with free software.

SocialSearchConverter Search Hijacker

How harmful is SocialSearchConverter hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, SocialSearchConverter hijacker is also quite hazardous for web browser use. It modifies your search engine to its particular – Socialsearchconverter.com, and likewise modifies your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, altering it to default with the mentioned sign).

Besides aesthetic changes done by SocialSearchConverter hijacker, you can see that a number of your search inquiries are redirecting to the unknown websites, filled with web links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can contain links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you try to start Google search page forcibly.

However all these actions are a lot more irritating than truly destructive. The most significant danger, especially for people who have a huge amount of confidential information in their browsers, is installed in information collecting functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, and other activities are easily gathered by SocialSearchConverter hijacker.

How to remove SocialSearchConverter 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 generally pretty simple to delete. Usually, they have a separate app that can be located in the list of installed applications. As a result of the certain marketing method of SocialSearchConverter hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted by hand. Nonetheless, if you got SocialSearchConverter in the bundle with a free applications, your PC might be infected with a lot more major malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you use anti-malware tools to remove the SocialSearchConverter PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and clearing away various malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, significant malware, that may be present on your computer in the discussed instance, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such situations, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and erase all unwanted 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 spectate the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

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

Reverting browser settings to original ones

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

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing SocialSearchConverter 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