What is SearchTheConverter?
You have to be cautious about every single extension you install because PUPs like SearchTheConverter are pretty common these days. PUP stands for “potentially unwanted program,” and there can be several different reasons for such categorization. When it comes to the extension we are discussing in this report, it is classified as a PUP because it does not offer useful services, because it tracks data related to users and their browsing habits, and because it uses its own platform to deliver third-party ads. Basically, if you download the extension, you download an advertising tool, and we are sure that that is not your intention. Our Anti-Spyware-101.com research team has thoroughly inspected the PUP, and we believe that it is best to remove it. Of course, you do not need to trust our judgment on that. Read the report to learn all the facts, and then decide if you want to delete SearchTheConverter.
How does SearchTheConverter work?
Did you find SearchTheConverter via install.searchtheconverter.com or get.searchtheconverter.com? At the time of research, these redirect pages opened error pages on the Chrome Web Store, but if you go to chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/searchtheconverter/emkofdmkojfmdidciddpppahbkklfcbl, you can download the PUP directly from this platform. That is how PDFSearchio, SearchConverters, StreamBrosSearch, and all other extensions from the same family (they are identical) are promoted as well. Some of these extensions are no longer available, and that might be because it has gotten too many negative reviews or because those keeping things in check have found it to violate certain security guidelines. When it comes to PUPs, it is often hard to say whether an extension is a threat or simply a useless piece of software. That is why more and more PUPs keep being found on the Chrome Web Store. Could these PUPs be distributed in other ways? Perhaps that is possible, but we have not found any bundled installers or unreliable file-sharing sites distributing it yet.
Undoubtedly, the name of SearchTheConverter is confusing. It suggests that you can search for a converter, but this PUP does not offer searches that are converter specific. There is a webpage associated with the PUP (portal.searchtheconverter.com), whose interface has an integrated converter, but this webpage is not integrated into the extension itself. So, what was it created for? From what we have seen, it was created to change the default search provider to feed.searchtheconverter.com. This search tool is completely useless because it redirects to Yahoo Search. If you wanted to use this popular engine, you could just set it as your default provider, and you certainly do not need an extension to facilitate that. Unfortunately, that is not all. The PUP uses this search tool to modify the results as well, and it is possible that links from unreliable parties could be used. The reality is that we cannot predict what kinds of ads could be shown, and that is why trusting the search service is risky. What about the attractive, personalized links? Your browsing data can be read and analyzed to learn what you are interested in, but keep in mind that someone could use that against you.
How to delete SearchTheConverter
So, do you want to remove SearchTheConverter? If you do, do you know where to find the extensions within your Google Chrome browser? If you do, you are halfway to your goal. The process is truly very straightforward, and all you have to do is click the right ‘Remove’ button. If you feel like you need guidance, follow the instructions below. Should you also clear browsing data, as shown in the instructions? We recommend it if you want to get rid of the data tracking cookies and clear cache. Obviously, if other unwanted extensions or programs exist, it is important to get rid of them too. If you are not able to do so manually, why not implement anti-malware software? It will automatically delete SearchTheConverter and everything else that requires it. You will not need to do more than click a button or two to initiate removal. And you know what the best part is? This software will keep you protected against more aggressive and dangerous threats that might be lurking for you in silence.
Removal Instructions
- Launch your Chrome browser.
- Enter chrome://extensions into the address bar.
- Remove the PUP.
- Enter chrome://settings/clearBrowserData into the address bar.
- Open the Advanced menu.
- Choose a time range and boxes you feel fit.
- Finish by clicking Clear data.
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