Best File Converter Browser Hijacker

What is search.hbestfileconverter.com?

Best File Converter is a file conversion application that supposedly converts .doc files to and from PDF format directly from the browser (new tab page). In fact, as with many other applications of this type, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker. 

Best File Converter promotes a fake search engine (search.hbestfileconverter.com), modifies browser settings, and collects information relating to users' browsing habits.

Apps of this type can be installed on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Once installed, Best File Converter appoints search.hbestfileconverter.com as the homepage, default search engine and new tab URL. After modifying these browser settings, it ensures that they cannot be changed/undone unless this browser hijacker is uninstalled.

Users with Best File Converter app installed on their systems are thus forced to visit the aforementioned website when they open their browsers, new tabs, or search via the URL bar. If used to search, search.hbestfileconverter.com redirects users to search.yahoo[.]com (a legitimate Yahoo search engine).

The site simply uses results generated by Yahoo, rendering search.hbestfileconverter.com useless as a search engine. Additionally, most fake search engines and browser hijackers collect data such as IP addresses, geolocations, URLs of visited websites, entered search queries, and other similar details.

Developers share the data with third parties (possibly, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Furthermore, they sometimes collect personal details. It is very likely that Best File Converter is used for this purpose. Therefore, we recommend that you do not use any dubious search engines or have PUAs installed.

Threat Summary:

Name	Best File Converter
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	Best File Converter, Converter.
Supposed Functionality	.doc file format conversion.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Promoted URL(s)	search.hbestfileconverter.com (fake search engine)
Symptoms	Manipulated internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Best File Converter is similar to many other apps of this type such as Kittens New Tab, bestMovies Now, New Browse, etc. Typically, browser hijackers are presented as useful, legitimate apps, however, when installed, they usually work as information tracking tools and promote fake search engines (that might also cause unwanted redirects).

Therefore, these apps simply generate revenue for their developers and deliver none of the promoted features, tools, and so on.

How did Best File Converter install on my computer?

Best File Converter is promoted on its website, however, most people download and install apps of this type unintentionally or accidentally. They cause unwanted installations (and downloads) by clicking untrustworthy ads displayed on dubious pages or by downloading and installing software without paying attention to the details.

To trick users into downloading and installing PUAs with other software, developers use the "bundling" method. They include unwanted apps into download or installation set-ups of regular software (which people usually download or install intentionally).

They hide information regarding the bundling/inclusion of these apps in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. Therefore, people who skip steps of the download and installation processes often install unwanted apps as well.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download software from official websites and use direct links. Do not download using third party software downloaders, unofficial websites, or other similar sources such as Peer-to-Peer networks (eMule, torrent clients).

Download and install software correctly, check all available "Custom"/"Advanced" (and other similar) settings/options, and opt-out of any additionally-included unwanted apps. Ads displayed on dubious pages often redirect to untrustworthy websites, such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc. Having PUAs installed can also cause these ads or redirects to dubious websites.

If this problem persists, check installed programs on your computer and extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins on your browser. Remove/uninstall unwanted, unknown and suspicious entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with Best File Converter, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Website promoting Best File Converter browser hijacker:

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is search.hbestfileconverter.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Best File Converter application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove search.hbestfileconverter.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Best File Converter browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.hbestfileconverter.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove search.hbestfileconverter.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Best File Converter browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Best File Converter"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the search.hbestfileconverter.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Best File Converter browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects (Windows OS):

Video showing how to remove Best File Converter browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner (MacOS):

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://search.hbestfileconverter.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Best File Converter".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.hbestfileconverter.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Best File Converter" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Best File Converter", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.hbestfileconverter.com) 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 "search.hbestfileconverter.com", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.hbestfileconverter.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Best File Converter" (or "Converter"), as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, disable "Best File Converter" or "Converter", remove hxxp://search.hbestfileconverter.com 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 "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.hbestfileconverter.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.hbestfileconverter.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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