YourSearchConverter browser hijacker removal instructions

YourSearchConverter – What is it?

“YourSearchConverter” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some specific details, as an example, about sport events, make your web browser much more safe, allow downloading of any type of video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nonetheless, the “YourSearchConverter” plugin is quite useless due to the fact that all such functions are already built-in to your browser and/or system. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But frequently even expert users are getting caught on such a lure. In specific instances, this hijacker is distributed along with free software.

YourSearchConverter Search Hijacker

How harmful is YourSearchConverter hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, YourSearchConverter hijacker is also fairly hazardous for browser utilization. It modifies your search engine to its particular – Yoursearchconverter.com, and also changes your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the specified symptom).

Apart from aesthetic adjustments done by YourSearchConverter hijacker, you may see that many of your search inquiries are redirecting to the dubious sites, full of links and advertisements – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can have web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting surges if you attempt to open Google search page forcibly.

However all these activities are a lot more irritating than truly dangerous. The biggest risk, particularly for people who have a considerable amount of secret information in their browsers, is installed in data collecting functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites, and other activities are simply gathered by YourSearchConverter hijacker.

How to remove YourSearchConverter 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 often pretty easy to deal with. Usually, they have a separate app that can be spotted in the list of installed software. Because of the specific distribution manner of YourSearchConverter hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and erased by hand. However, if you got YourSearchConverter in the package with a free applications, your personal computer may be contaminated with much more serious malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you utilize anti-malware programs to deal with the YourSearchConverter PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and eliminating a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, major malware, that may exist on your computer in the mentioned case, can disable the Windows antivirus program by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such circumstances, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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

You can see the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on 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 virus. By default, all malware 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 is not able to be counteracted 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 displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing YourSearchConverter 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