How to remove the Text to Speech Conversion browser hijacker

What kind of software is Text to Speech Conversion?

While investigating suspicious sites, we discovered the Text to Speech Conversion browser extension. It is promoted as a tool that converts text to speech. After examining this piece of software, we learned that it is a browser hijacker. Text to Speech Conversion makes changes to browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the ksrc-withus.com fake search engine.

Text to Speech Conversion browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software promotes websites by assigning their addresses as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs.

Text to Speech Conversion makes these modifications as well. Therefore, with this extension installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – would result in redirects to the ksrc-withus.com site.

In most cases, fake search engines cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. Ksrc-withus.com is not an exception to this; it redirects to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that this website could lead elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

It is pertinent to mention that browser hijackers can ensure persistence by blocking access to removal-related settings and/or by undoing user-made changes.

Furthermore, Text to Speech Conversion has data-tracking functionalities. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials (usernames/passwords), personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like Text to Speech Conversion on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Text to Speech Conversion
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Text to Speech Conversion
Supposed Functionality	Text to speech converting tool
Promoted URL	ksrc-withus.com
Detection Names (ksrc-withus.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (ksrc-withus.com)	18.154.101.111
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).
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.

Browser hijacker examples

We have analyzed numerous browser hijackers; MyThing Search New Tab, Screenshot, and Beach Wallpaper are merely a couple of examples.

Browser-hijacking software typically appears harmless and offers useful functionalities. However, the features are usually fake and serve the purpose of bait to trick users into downloading/installing the software. It must be stressed that operational functionalities are not definitive proof of a software's legitimacy or safety.

How did Text to Speech Conversion install on my computer?

We obtained Text to Speech Conversion from its "official" promotional page. In addition to such webpages, browser hijackers are commonly endorsed on scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, websites that employ rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. The risk of unintentionally permitting bundled content access into the device is increased by downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements spread browser hijackers as well. Some of the adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We advise researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy channels. Additionally, installation processes must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, despite their ordinary/innocuous appearance – intrusive ads redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, gambling, etc.).

If you keep encountering such advertisements and/or redirects, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Text to Speech Conversion, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Text to Speech Conversion browser hijacker:

Website promoting Text to Speech Conversion browser hijacker:

Appearance of ksrc-withus.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

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▼ 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 Text to Speech Conversion?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Text to Speech Conversion browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove ksrc-withus.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove ksrc-withus.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Text to Speech Conversion 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Text to Speech Conversion browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Text to Speech Conversion browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Text to Speech Conversion" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Text to Speech Conversion", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.ksrc-withus.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 "ksrc-withus.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ksrc-withus.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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Text to Speech Conversion", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Text to Speech Conversion", remove hxxp://ksrc-withus.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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".

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 ksrc-withus.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 ksrc-withus.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 ksrc-withus.com website?

Redirects to sites like ksrc-withus.com are caused because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through them.

Is visiting ksrc-withus.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like ksrc-withus.com typically collect (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution techniques include: deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Text to Speech Conversion browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be ideal, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software installed. Hence, it is essential to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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