FreeSearchConverter is a browser hijacker that targets Macs

FreeSearchConverter is a Mac browser hijacker, also known as a redirect virus. It should not be directly harmful, so when it comes to infections, it’s pretty minor. The hijackers aren’t completely benign, however, because their main goal is to redirect you to sponsored websites and generate revenue. How hijackers behave immediately gives them away, although they use a sneaky method for installation. Sponsored content will be mixed in among legitimate search results, you’ll be redirected to unusual pages, and you will observe your browser exhibiting other unusual behaviour. However, since not everyone is aware of what a browser hijacker is, they may not connect the weird behaviour with an infection. Using a search engine to look into the symptoms or the website users are redirected to usually makes the situation clear. FreeSearchConverter

Your browser’s settings will be altered, in addition to you being redirected. Your browser will have another homepage/new tabs, and canceling annulling what has been changed may be hard. The main reason for those setting alterations is so the hijacker could redirect you.

Many users believe that hijackers are malicious software or viruses, which is not the case, meaning they do not just install without requiring your consent. Usually, users allow the hijacker to install themselves, though users usually do not know it. The bundling method is usually used by hijackers and other pests to install, meaning they come attached to free programs as extra offers and may install alongside. It is not hard to stop these unwanted installations, as long as you are aware of how to do it, and we will clarify in the following section.

You need to delete FreeSearchConverter, as soon as possible because it is still a computer infection, even if it isn’t serious. In addition to disrupting your normal browsing, the hijacker may be able to expose you to malware, scams and other highly unsafe content.

How does a hijacker spread

Freeware is often the reason why browser hijackers can install. They in a method called software bundling, come attached to free software as additional offers. Software bundling conceals the additional offers from users, unless they select certain settings, and they are permitted to install alongside. These unnecessary installations are not difficult to block, however, if you pay attention to how you install software.

When you are installing free software, it’s really important to choose Advanced (Custom) settings. The extra offers won’t be made visible if you opt for Default settings. Advanced will give you the option of deselecting everything, in addition to making all offers visible. Just deselecting the offers will be sufficient to stop the undesired installations. Take into account that avoiding installations takes much less time compared to uninstalling already installed threats. You’ll also prevent a lot of junk from installing by actually paying attention to software installation processes.

Is the hijacker dangerous

You will notice a browser hijacker infection rather quickly because your browsers (whether you are using Safari, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox) will be hijacked, and odd redirects will occur. It’ll alter your homepage and new tabs to its advertised page and you’ll be redirected to it whenever your browser is launched. An additional modification made to your browser is your search engine. If you use your browser address bar for searches, you’ll be redirected to the site promoted by the hijacker and shown search results that have been altered. It will become rather apparent that something’s not right with the search results because they will contain sponsored content. By redirecting you to certain web pages, hijackers can generate traffic and profit. Redirects to unknown, potentially damaging websites is both aggravating and potentially harmful for the system. Avoid engaging with advertising or sponsored content while the hijacker remains installed. You may easily be redirected to dangerous page because the hijacker doesn’t check whether the pages are safe. The websites the hijacker leads you to to may attempt to deceive you into installing malicious software or promote some type of scam. It isn’t a great idea to permit a hijacker to stay installed because while they may not do direct harm to your computer, they aren’t entirely harmless.

We should also say that browser hijackers spy on users, and compile various data related their searches, visited sites, IP address and more. We doubt that you want the hijacker to gather that data, let alone share it with unfamiliar third-parties.

In general, the hijacker did not request your explicit consent to install, made unwanted modifications to your browsers, started redirecting you to sponsored web pages in order to generate revenue, and showed you possibly dubious content. There are no reasons why you shouldn’t remove FreeSearchConverter.

FreeSearchConverter removal

In order to ensure the process is successful, you’re recommended to use spyware removal programs to remove FreeSearchConverter. Anti-spyware software are created to assist users in dealing with infections of this type. Manual FreeSearchConverter elimination is not overly hard either, if you understand what you’re doing and ensure to remove all hijacker files. If you successfully uninstall FreeSearchConverter, you can modify your browser’s settings back to what they were.

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Quick Menu

Step 1. Uninstall FreeSearchConverter and related programs.

Remove FreeSearchConverter from Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel choose Programs and Features and select to Uninstall a software.

Delete FreeSearchConverter from Windows 8

Uninstall FreeSearchConverter from Windows 7

Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall a program.

Uninstall FreeSearchConverter from Windows 7

Delete FreeSearchConverter from Windows XP

Click Start → Settings → Control Panel. Locate and click → Add or Remove Programs.

Remove FreeSearchConverter from Windows XP

Remove FreeSearchConverter from Mac OS X

Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for FreeSearchConverter or any other suspicious software. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash, then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

FreeSearchConverter removal from MAC OS X

Step 2. Delete FreeSearchConverter from your browsers

Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer
  1. Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons. FreeSearchConverter IE gear
  2. Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe) FreeSearchConverter IE toolbars and extensions
  3. Leave the window.
Change Internet Explorer homepage if it was changed by virus:
  1. Tap the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of your browser and click Internet Options. FreeSearchConverter IE gear
  2. In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes. FreeSearchConverter IE toolbars and extensions
Reset your browser
  1. Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options. FreeSearchConverter IE options
  2. Open the Advanced tab and press Reset. FreeSearchConverter IE reset browser
  3. Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time. FreeSearchConverter IE reset
  4. Tap Close and leave your browser. FreeSearchConverter IE close
  5. If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.
Erase FreeSearchConverter from Google Chrome
  1. Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings. FreeSearchConverter Chrome menu
  2. Choose Extensions. FreeSearchConverter Chrome settings
  3. Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them. FreeSearchConverter Chrome extensions remove
  4. If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily. FreeSearchConverter Chrome extensions disable
Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus
  1. Press on menu icon and click Settings. FreeSearchConverter Chrome menu
  2. Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages. FreeSearchConverter Chrome settings
  3. In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage. FreeSearchConverter Chrome extensions remove
  4. Under the Search section choose Manage Search engines. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search websites. You should leave only Google or your preferred search name. FreeSearchConverter Chrome extensions disable
    FreeSearchConverter Chrome extensions disable
Reset your browser
  1. If the browser still does not work the way you prefer, you can reset its settings.
  2. Open menu and navigate to Settings. FreeSearchConverter Chrome settings more
  3. Press Reset button at the end of the page. FreeSearchConverter Chrome advanced menu
  4. Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box. FreeSearchConverter Chrome reset
  5. If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.
Remove FreeSearchConverter from Mozilla Firefox
  1. In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously). FreeSearchConverter Firefox add ons
  2. Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries. FreeSearchConverter Firefox extensions
Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:
  1. Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options. FreeSearchConverter Firefox reset confirm
  2. On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default. FreeSearchConverter Firefox reset confirm
  3. Press OK to save these changes.
Reset your browser
  1. Open the menu and tap Help button. FreeSearchConverter Firefox help
  2. Select Troubleshooting Information. FreeSearchConverter Firefox troubleshooting
  3. Press Refresh Firefox. FreeSearchConverter Firefox reset
  4. In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more. FreeSearchConverter Firefox reset confirm
  5. If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.
Uninstall FreeSearchConverter from Safari (Mac OS X)
  1. Access the menu.
  2. Pick Preferences. FreeSearchConverter Safari menu
  3. Go to the Extensions Tab. FreeSearchConverter Safari extensions
  4. Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable FreeSearchConverter and get rid of all the other unknown entries as well. If you are unsure whether the extension is reliable or not, simply uncheck the Enable box in order to disable it temporarily.
  5. Restart Safari.
Reset your browser
  1. Tap the menu icon and choose Reset Safari. FreeSearchConverter Safari reset menu
  2. Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset. FreeSearchConverter Safari reset
  3. If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.

Site Disclaimer

2-remove-virus.com is not sponsored, owned, affiliated, or linked to malware developers or distributors that are referenced in this article. The article does not promote or endorse any type of malware. We aim at providing useful information that will help computer users to detect and eliminate the unwanted malicious programs from their computers. This can be done manually by following the instructions presented in the article or automatically by implementing the suggested anti-malware tools.

The article is only meant to be used for educational purposes. If you follow the instructions given in the article, you agree to be contracted by the disclaimer. We do not guarantee that the artcile will present you with a solution that removes the malign threats completely. Malware changes constantly, which is why, in some cases, it may be difficult to clean the computer fully by using only the manual removal instructions.

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