How to uninstall ConvertDocsNow browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
ConvertDocsNow is a deceptive application developed by Mindspark Interactive Network. This app supposedly allows users to convert various file formats.
On initial inspection, ConvertDocsNow may appear legitimate and useful; however, it is categorized as a browser hijacker and a Potentially Unwanted application (PUA). After ConvertDocsNow successfully infiltrates the system, it modifies browser settings in order to promote a fake search engine, and tracks Internet browsing activity.
Browser hijackers typically target Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and other popular browsers. These rogue applications assign the default search engine, homepage and new tab/window URLs - to the addresses of fake search engines. ConvertDocsNow makes such alterations as well - to promote hp.myway.com.
By altering the aforementioned settings, this browser hijacker causes undesirable redirects to hp.myway.com - every time a new browser tab/window is opened and a search query is typed into the URL bar. Illegitimate search engines are rarely capable of providing search results, so they tend to redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other genuine ones.
In addition, browser hijackers install a number of browser add-ons and apps to prevent users from undoing the changes they make to browsers. ConvertDocsNow has data tracking abilities. It can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect sensitive data extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).
The gathered information may contain personally identifiable details. What is more, browser hijacker developers often share this vulnerable information with third parties, seeking to misuse it for profit. Therefore, presence of data-tracking software on systems can lead to serious privacy issues and even identity theft.
It is strongly recommended to remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
Name | ConvertDocsNow browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Detection Names | Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), DrWeb (Adware.MyWebSearch.120), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA Potential), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Age), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Browser Extension(s) | ConvertDocsNow |
Supposed Functionality | File format conversion |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Promoted Domain | hp.myway.com |
Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com) | 23.38.136.27 |
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. |
Mindspark Interactive Network has released countless identical browser hijackers; e.g. ProductManualsPro, WatchMyTVShows, OnlinePrivacyManager - to name a few.
Software within the browser hijacker classification offers a wide variety of different features, yet their mode of operation is identical (i.e. modification of browser settings and recording of private information).
However, despite how good the promised functionalities may sound, they are usually nonoperational. In fact, this applies to practically all PUAs. The only purpose of unwanted apps is to generate revenue; to users - they have no real value and can instead cause various issues.
How did ConvertDocsNow install on my computer?
Some PUAs (e.g. ConvertDocsNow) have "official" promotional webpages, from which they can be downloaded. These applications can also be downloaded/installed together with other software. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling".
PUA developers often hide the additions within the "Custom" or "Advanced" download/installation settings.
Therefore, by rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. by skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) users risk inadvertently allowing bundled content into their devices, thereby exposing the systems to potential infections. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, they can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software prior to download/installation. Only official and verified download channels must be used. Untrustworthy sources, like: unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, never skip any steps/sections, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from all additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, however they redirect to questionable sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, users must inspect their systems and remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins from them. If your computer is already infected with ConvertDocsNow, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Installation setup of ConvertDocsNow browser hijacker:
ConvertDocsNow browser hijacker asking for various permissions on Google Chrome:
ConvertDocsNow browser hijacker asking for various permissions on Mozilla Firefox:
Website promoting ConvertDocsNow browser hijacker (Google Chrome):
Website promoting ConvertDocsNow browser hijacker (Mozilla Firefox):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall ConvertDocsNow application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove ConvertDocsNow browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove hp.myway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
ConvertDocsNow 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, "ConvertDocsNow Internet Explorer..."), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the hp.myway.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
ConvertDocsNow 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://hp.myway.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 "hp.myway".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the convertdocsnow browser hijacker, 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 "ConvertDocsNow" 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 ConvertDocsNow, look for a browser hijacker URL (hp.myway.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 "Ask Web Search" 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 convertdocsnow browser hijacker, 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 "ConvertDocsNow", 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 ConvertDocsNow, remove hxxp://hp.myway.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 convertdocsnow browser hijacker 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 convertdocsnow browser hijacker, 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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