How to remove the File Converter Pro browser hijacker from the OS

What is File Converter Pro?

File Converter Pro is a rogue application supposedly providing easy access to file format conversion tools. In fact, it operates by modifying browsers to promote search.fileconverterprotab.net, a fake search engine. Additionally, it monitors users' browsing habits and collects personal information derived from them.

Since most users download/install this app inadvertently, File Converter Pro is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and other popular browsers are typical targets of browser hijackers. These rogue apps reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of their bogus search engines.

For example, with File Converter Pro installed, each new browser tab/window opened and each search made via the URL bar redirects to search.fileconverterprotab.net. This diminishes the browsing experience, especially since fake search engines are unable to generate unique results.

They typically redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) Google, Yahoo, Bing or other genuine sites. The web search engine associated with File Converter Pro (search.fileconverterprotab.net) is no exception and simply redirects to search.yahoo.com.

Furthermore, these modifications cannot be undone without elimination of the browser hijacker. Any changes users attempt to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is allowed at all. File Converter Pro also has data tracking capabilities.

It monitors browsing activity (URLs visited, web pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gathers users' personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other sensitive details). The collected data is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) seeking to misuse it for financial gain.

Therefore, the presence of data tracking software on browsers/systems can lead to financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	File Converter Pro
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 Poten), GData (Win32.Application.Agent.04S4T2), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Browser Extension(s)	File Converter Pro
Supposed Functionality	Quick access to file conversion services.
Promoted URL	search.fileconverterprotab.net
Serving IP Address (search.fileconverterprotab.net)	3.219.120.252
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.
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Bright Start, Access Free Templates, and AnonymoSearch are some examples of other browser hijackers. These applications may seem legitimate and useful, however, they entice users into download/installation with offers of "useful" features. Despite how good these functions may appear, they usually do not work. In fact, this applies to all PUAs.

These unwanted apps have just one purpose: to generate profit for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs hijack browsers, run intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects to untrusted/malicious websites and track private data.

How did File Converter Pro install on my computer?

Some PUAs (including File Converter Pro) have "official" promotional pages from which they can be downloaded. These applications also proliferate through the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing method of packing normal programs with unwanted or malicious software is called "bundling".

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently installing bundled content. Intrusive advertisements also proliferate PUAs - once clicked on they can execute scripts to make stealthily downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all products to verify their legitimacy, before download/installation or purchase. Use only official and trustworthy download channels. Untrustworthy sources such as P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.), free file-hosting sites and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features and so on. Intrusive ads often seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with File Converter Pro, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

File Converter Pro browser hijacker installation setup:

File Converter Pro browser hijacker asking for various permissions:

Website promoting File Converter Pro browser hijacker.

IMPORTANT NOTE! This deceptive site asks to enable web browser notifications:

Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

Google Chrome (PC):

• Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Settings", scroll down to the bottom and click "Advanced"
• Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Content settings" and then "Notifications"
• Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Google Chrome (Android):

• Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and click "Settings"
• Scroll down, click on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and click on them one-by-one
• Select "Notifications" in the "Permissions" section and set the toggle button to "OFF"

Mozilla Firefox:

• Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Options" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
• Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs, click the drop-down menu and select "Block"

Internet Explorer:

• Click the Gear button on the right upper corner of the IE window
• Select "Internet options"
• Select the "Privacy" tab and click "Settings" under "Pop-up Blocker" section
• Select suspicious URLs under and remove them one by one by clicking the "Remove" button

Microsoft Edge:

• Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window
• Scroll down, find and click "Settings"
• Scroll down again and click "View advanced settings"
• Click "Manage" under "Website permissions"
• Click the switch under each suspicious website

Safari (Mac):

• Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences..."
• Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
• Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option for each

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Quick menu:

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

File Converter Pro 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, "File Converter Pro"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

File Converter Pro 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.fileconverterprotab.net 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 "File Converter Pro".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.fileconverterprotab.net 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 "File Converter Pro" 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 "File Converter Pro", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.fileconverterprotab.net) 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.fileconverterprotab.net", 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.fileconverterprotab.net 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 "File Converter Pro", 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 "File Converter Pro", remove hxxp://search.fileconverterprotab.net 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.fileconverterprotab.net 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.fileconverterprotab.net 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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