How to remove PerfectConverters browser hijacker and the redirects it causes
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is PerfectConverters?
PerfectConverters is the name of a rogue browser extension. After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it operates as a browser hijacker promoting the perfectconverters.com fake search engine.
PerfectConverters browser hijacker overview
Following successful installation onto our test machine, PerfectConverters reassigned the browser's homepage, new tab/window, and homepage URLs to the perfectconverters.com website. Hence, every single browser tab/window we opened or search query we typed into the URL bar - resulted in a redirect to perfectconverters.com.
Fraudulent search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. Perfectconverters.com is not an exception. We observed it redirecting to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) and the nearbyme.io fake search engine.
While the latter (nearbyme.io) can provide search results, they are inaccurate and may endorse dubious/malicious sites. However, perfectconverters.com may land elsewhere - since redirects can be determined by factors like user geolocation.
Browser hijackers often use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from restoring their browsers. PerfectConverters may also have data tracking abilities, as they are standard for browser-hijacking software. Information of interest can include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, personally identifiable details, account log-in credentials, financial/banking data, and so on. The gathered information is monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
In summary, the presence of software like PerfectConverters on devices can result in serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | PerfectConverters |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | PerfectConverters |
| Promoted URL | perfectconverters.com |
| Detection Names (perfectconverters.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (perfectconverters.com) | 172.67.173.158 |
| 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 hijacker examples
TopConverterSearch, UltraADSBlockSearch, HDPDFConverterSearch, and Go Dark are just some examples of the browser hijackers we have analyzed recently. This software appears legitimate and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of various functionalities. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.
How did PerfectConverters install on my computer?
Bundling - packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements - is used to proliferate browser hijackers. Download from dubious download channels (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive advertisements are also used to spread browser-hijacking software. Upon being clicked, some of these ads can make stealthy downloads/installations.
Additionally, browser hijackers are promoted through promotional download webpages and scam sites. Most users enter such websites through redirects caused by mistyped URLs, pages using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly advise researching software and downloading from official/verified channels. Furthermore, installation processes must be approached with care. Therefore, we recommend reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
It is just as important to be vigilant when browsing - since illegitimate and malicious content usually appears innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts look ordinary yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you experience such advertisements and/or redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PerfectConverters, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of perfectconverters.com redirecting to the nearbyme.io fake search engine (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 PerfectConverters?
- STEP 1. Uninstall PerfectConverters application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove PerfectConverters browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove perfectconverters.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove perfectconverters.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
PerfectConverters 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, "PerfectConverters"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the perfectconverters.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
PerfectConverters 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 "PerfectConverters" 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 "PerfectConverters", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.perfectconverters.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 "perfectconverters.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 perfectconverters.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 "PerfectConverters", 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 "PerfectConverters", remove hxxp://perfectconverters.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 perfectconverters.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 perfectconverters.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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit perfectconverters.com website?
Cyber criminals (i.e., the developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through these redirects.
Is visiting perfectconverters.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like perfectconverters.com typically collect (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily spread via software bundling, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and third-party download sites, P2P sharing networks (e.g., Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), fake updates, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove PerfectConverters browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal. In some cases when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system - once one is removed - the others simply re-install it. Additionally, with this software present, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable. Hence, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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