Search.convertallfiles.com Redirect (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.convertallfiles.com?
Developers present search.convertallfiles.com as a legitimate search engine that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating the most accurate search results.
On initial inspection, search.convertallfiles.com may seem legitimate and useful, however, this site is promoted using a browser-hijacking application called Convert All Files, which stealthily infiltrates computers without users’ permission. This site is also proliferated using various download/installation set-ups.
Furthermore, search.convertallfiles.com continually monitors browsing activity by recording user-system information.
Convert All Files and rogue set-ups usually target Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Following successful infiltration, Convert All Files and browser-hijacking set-ups assign the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine settings to search.convertallfiles.com.
In addition, set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" (third party applications and browser plug-ins). Convert All Files and "helper objects" reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them.
Therefore, users are unable to return browsers to their previous states and are forced to visit search.convertallfiles.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. Furthermore, search.convertallfiles.com is designed to redirect users to search.yahoo.com.
Therefore, search.convertallfiles.com does not generate unique results and users simply end up searching the web via the Yahoo search engine. Thus, search.convertallfiles.com is useless as a search engine. As mentioned above, search.convertallfiles.com (and Convert All Files and "helper objects") continually record data relating to web browsing activity.
IP addresses, website URLs visited, and pages viewed are just some examples from many collected data types. Fake search engines and rogue applications might also record personal information. Developers share the data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue.
Thus, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to remove all potentially unwanted applications and never visit search.convertallfiles.com.
Name | Convert All Files browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads. |
Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information. |
Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Internet is full of fake search engines that share similarities with search.convertallfiles.com. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) cultsearch.pw, search.cogs.digital, and search.pdftycoon.com. By offering "useful features", developers attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, fake search engines usually deliver no real value for regular users.
Their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value, they cause unwanted redirects and gather information. In doing so, fake search engines such as search.convertallfiles.com pose a direct threat to your privacy and web browsing safety.
How did search.convertallfiles.com install on my computer?
As mentioned above, search.convertallfiles.com is promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups. The same applies to Convert All Files.
This promotion method is called "bundling". Unwanted applications (such as search.convertallfiles.com) and all details regarding browser modifications are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" options (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users often rush these procedures and skip steps.
In doing so, they inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify various options and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Potentially unwanted applications are distributed using intrusive advertisements that redirect users to malicious websites and execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs.
Most of these ads redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.) and are delivered by adware-type apps. Therefore, if you encounter such ads/redirects, remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.
Furthermore, analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs, opt-out of all additionally-included programs, and certainly do not allow them to perform any changes. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links, since third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps.
The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Website promoting Convert All Files browser hijacker:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is search.convertallfiles.com?
- STEP 1. Remove search.convertallfiles.com related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove search.convertallfiles.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove search.convertallfiles.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.convertallfiles.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove browser redirects to search.convertallfiles.com using Combo Cleaner:
search.convertallfiles.com redirect removal:
Remove search.convertallfiles.com-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders
Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/
In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.
Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:
In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/
In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers
Remove Safari browser hijackers:
Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.
Change your homepage:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.
Change your default search engine:
In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
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