Stop getting redirected to search.freeconvertertooltab.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Free Converter Tool?
Endorsed as an application designed to provide quick access to online file conversion services - Free Converter Tool is a browser hijacker.
It operates by modifying browsers in order to promote a fake search engine - search.freeconvertertooltab.com. Furthermore, most apps within this category have data tracking abilities, which they use to monitor browsing-related information. Few users install Free Converter Tool intentionally, therefore it is also classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).
Browser hijackers primarily target Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Following successful installation, they assign the addresses of their fake web searchers as browsers' default search engine, homepage and new tab/window URLs. In case of Free Converter Tool - it changes them to search.freeconvertertooltab.com.
It may seem as a minor alteration, however it seriously impacts the browsing experience. Most fake search engines are unable to actually provide search results, so they redirect (or cause redirection chains ending with) a legitimate one, such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.
Search.freeconvertertooltab.com is unable to generate search results as well, it redirects to search.yahoo.com. It is impossible to recover a hijacked browser without removing the rogue application responsible. With the browser hijacker present - any changes users attempt to make are automatically reset, if access to the browser's settings is permitted at all.
As mentioned, it is not uncommon for these apps to have data tracking abilities. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and real-life details).
This private data is likely to be shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), seeking to misuse it for profit. Hence, presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft. It is recommended to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions immediately upon detection.
| Name | Free Converter Tool |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:Adware-gen [Adw]), Fortinet (Riskware/WinWrapper), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/WinWrapper.V Potentially U), GData (Win32.Trojan.Agent.04S4T2), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | Free Converter Tool |
| Supposed Functionality | It supposedly provides quick access to file format conversion tools. |
| Promoted URL | search.freeconvertertooltab.com |
| Serving IP Address (search.freeconvertertooltab.com) | 3.214.7.150 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the 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. |
Online Safety by Safely, Power Search, My Login Hub, MapsMyWayFree are a few examples of other browser hijackers. While the promised functions of these apps differ - they operate in much the same way. Despite how good their features might sound, users should note that they are usually nonoperational.
In fact, this extends to all PUAs - they appear legitimate, offer "useful" functions, however they tend not to operate as advertised. The sole purpose of all unwanted applications is to generate revenue for their developers at users' expense.
PUAs are designed to modify browsers, force-open untrustworthy and malicious pages, run intrusive advertisement campaigns and track sensitive data.
How did Free Converter Tool install on my computer?
PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other programs. "Bundling" is the term used to describe this false marketing technique of packing ordinary software together with unwanted or malicious content.
Ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options and otherwise rushing through download/installation processes endangers the system with potential infiltrations and infections. Select PUAs (e.g. Free Converter Tool) have "official" download webpages.
Intrusive adverts spread such applications as well. Once an intrusive ad is clicked, it can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without user permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is important to research content to verify its legitimacy, before downloading/installing it. Only official and verified download source should be used.
It is ill-advised to use Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), free file-hosting sites and other third party downloaders - as they are considered to be untrustworthy; hence, more likely to offer bundled programs. Download and installation processes should be treated with caution.
Therefore, users should read terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and decline to download/install supplementary products (e.g. apps, tools, functions and so on). Intrusive ads typically appear legitimate and harmless, however they redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).
In case of encounters with advertisements/redirects of this type, users are to inspect the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Free Converter Tool, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Free Converter Tool browser hijacker installer set-up:
Website promoting Free Converter Tool 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Free Converter Tool?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Free Converter Tool application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.freeconvertertooltab.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Free Converter Tool browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.freeconvertertooltab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.freeconvertertooltab.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Free Converter Tool 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, "Free Converter Tool"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.freeconvertertooltab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Free Converter Tool browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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.freeconvertertooltab.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 "Free Converter Tool".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.freeconvertertooltab.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 "Free Converter Tool" 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 "Free Converter Tool", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.freeconvertertooltab.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.freeconvertertooltab.com", 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.freeconvertertooltab.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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Free Converter Tool", 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 "Free Converter Tool", remove hxxp://search.freeconvertertooltab.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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search.freeconvertertooltab.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.freeconvertertooltab.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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