How to uninstall GetSearchConverters browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is GetSearchConverters browser hijacker?
GetSearchConverters is a browser hijacker because it changes web browser's settings and does not allow to undo those changes. It changes settings to promote the getsearchconverters.com address - a fake search engine. Usually, users install browser hijackers unknowingly, for this reason they are called potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
GetSearchConverters in detail
As a rule, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing the address of a default search engine, homepage, and new tab. GetSearchConverters changes those addresses to getsearchconverters.com - a fake search engine that shows results generated by Yahoo, searchlee.com. It could show results generated by other search engines as well.
It is important to mention that searchlee.com is a questionable search engine - it may include links to untrustworthy pages in its results. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to browse the web through getsearchconverters.com and trust results generated by questionable search engines like searchlee.com.
As mentioned in the introduction paragraph, GetSearchConverters does not allow to remove getsearchconverters.com from settings/change it to another (preferred) address. Typically, changes made by a browser hijacker like GetSearchConverters can be reverted when that app is no longer installed.
Another reason to uninstall any installed browser hijacker is that it may be collecting browsing-related data, such as IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, geolocations, etc. Although, browser hijackers could be capable of accessing personal details as well.
Moreover, information collected by browser hijackers could be used for marketing purposes, sold to third parties (potentially cybercriminals), used to steal identities, etc. A browser hijacker is a type of app that can be the reason behind issues with online privacy, browsing safety, identity theft, and other problems.
Name | GetSearchConverters |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | GetSearchConverters |
Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
Promoted URL | getsearchconverters.com |
Serving IP Address (getsearchconverters.com) | 172.67.148.86 |
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. |
Browser hijackers in general
In conclusion, the main purpose of a browser hijacker is to promote a fake search engine that does not generate any unique results, shows misleading results or redirects users to other shady addresses. A couple of examples of other browser hijackers are SuperVideoSearch, Movie Bar, and TopPDFSearch.
How did GetSearchConverters install on my computer?
In some cases, users cause unwanted downloads, installations by clicking unreliable advertisements designed to execute certain scripts. However, most users download or install PUAs when they are bundled together with other (free) programs. More precisely, when they do not change certain settings.
It is common for PUAs to be included in downloaders, installers for other programs as extra offers. Users can decline unwanted offers using "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings (or by unticking ticked checkboxes). They agree to download or install offered PUAs when they finish downloads, installations without changing those settings.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Applications should be downloaded from reliable, official pages and via direct download links. It is not safe to use other sources for downloading files, programs. Examples of unreliable sources are Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, third-party downloaders, installers.
Downloaders, installers that have some settings should be checked for unwanted applications. Typically, apps of this kind can be deselected using "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" or other settings or by unticking ticked checkboxes. Typically, PUAs can be found in downloaders, installers for free programs.
One more way to avoid unwanted downloads, installations is not to click advertisements appearing on shady websites. Those advertisements can be designed to open potentially malicious websites or cause unwanted downloads, installations by running certain scripts.
Also, there should not be any unwanted, unknown apps (add-ons, plug-ins, or extensions) installed on a browser and programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with GetSearchConverters, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Getsearchconverters.com redirects to searchlee.com (GIF):
Getsearchconverters.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
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 GetSearchConverters?
- STEP 1. Uninstall GetSearchConverters application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove GetSearchConverters browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove getsearchconverters.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove getsearchconverters.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
GetSearchConverters 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, "GetSearchConverters"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the getsearchconverters.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
GetSearchConverters browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "GetSearchConverters" 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 "GetSearchConverters" , look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.getsearchconverters.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 "getsearchconverters.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 getsearchconverters.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 "GetSearchConverters", 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 "GetSearchConverters", remove hxxp://getsearchconverters.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 getsearchconverters.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 getsearchconverters.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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