What is Universal Converter? And how does it work?

Universal Converter, also known as search.huniversalconverter.co, is a browser extension promoted as a search engine that allegedly allows users to access a lot of file converter tools over the web. It also features several quick links to well-known sites like Amazon, Gmail, and many more. At first, you might not notice anything suspicious when you see this extension but if you end up installing it, that’s where you’ll notice sudden changes in your browser while browsing the web. This is because Universal Converter is not just a typical browser extension – it is a browser hijacker and a PUP.
Once it hijacks your computer, Universal Converter will alter your browser’s settings by setting search.myquickconverter.com or search.huniversalconverter.co as the default search engine, homepage as well as the new tab URL address of your browser. Since then, you will start to experience browser redirects to promotional websites affiliated with this hijacker. Not only that as it also display an excessive amount of annoying ads that pops up on every website you visit. This can get really annoying as these ads tend to cover the content of the website you’re visiting. According to researchers, some of the ads that Universal Converter displays are suspicious so you have to be careful when dealing with them and it would be better if you stir clear from them as much as you can. They also found that Universal Converter tracks browsing activities to collect browsing-related information about its users. It just goes to show that this hijacker’s aim is to generate revenue through these ads.
How is Universal Converter disseminated over the web?
The Universal Converter extension can be found at its official website at search.huniversalconverter.co. Aside from that, Universal Converter can be found in free sharing sites as a part of software bundles where along with other unknown programs, it is added in the optional components. This is why installing software bundles is quite tricky since you could end up installing not just one but lots of programs in a single installation. To prevent this from happening, you need to use the Advanced or Custom setup instead of the standard one as it lets you get rid of any additional programs that may have been added in the package before you proceed with the installation.
Make sure to follow the removal instructions provided below to uninstall Universal Converter from your browser and computer.
Step 1: The first thing you have to do is to close the browser infected with Universal Converter. And if you can’t close it manually, you can close it using the Task Manager instead. Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys and open the Task Manager.
Step 2: Next, look for the process of your browser, right click on it and select End task or End process to close it.
Step 3: Afterwards, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and press Enter to open the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
Step 4: From the list of programs installed, look for any programs that could be related to Universal Converter or any suspicious program you don’t remember installing under the list of installed programs and once you’ve found it, uninstall it.

Step 5: Edit your Hosts File.

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open then type in %WinDir% and then click OK.
  • Go to System32/drivers/etc.
  • Open the hosts file using Notepad.
  • Delete all the entries that contain Universal Converter.
  • After that, save the changes you’ve made and close the file.

Step 6:  Now you have to flush the DNS cache of your computer. To do so, right click on the Start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator). From there, type the “ipconfig /flushdns” command and hit Enter to flush the DNS.
Step 7: After that, restart your computer and then open your browsers and reset them back to their default state.
Google Chrome

  • Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
  • After that, click on Settings.
  • Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
  • After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open Mozilla Firefox and tap Ctrl + Shift + A to access the Add-ons Manager.
  • In the Extensions menu Remove the unwanted extension.
  • Restart the browser and tap keys Alt + T.
  • Select Options and then move to the General menu.
  • Overwrite the URL in the Home Page section and then restart the browser.

Internet Explorer

  • Launch Internet Explorer.
  • Next, click the wrench icon for Settings.
  • Then click Internet Options.
  • After that, go to the Advanced tab.
  • From there, click the Reset button. This will reset Internet Explorer’s settings to their default condition.
  • Now click OK to save the changes made.
  • Restart your computer.

Step 8: Hold down Windows + E keys simultaneously to open File Explorer.
Step 9: Navigate to the following directories and look for suspicious files associated to the browser hijacker such as the software bundle it came with and delete it/them.

  • %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
  • %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
  • %TEMP%

Step 10: Close the File Explorer and empty the contents of Recycle Bin.
Refer to the advanced instructions given below to ensure the removal of this browser hijacker from your computer as well as all the file residues it left behind.
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:
 

  1. Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot it.
  2. After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

  1. To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
  2. Windows will now load the Safe Mode with Networking.
  3. Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

  1. If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
  2. Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
  3. After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
  4. Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.

  1. After the scan is completed click the “Fix, Clean & Optimize Now” button.

logo main menu

Copyright © 2024, FixMyPcFree. All Rights Reserved Trademarks: Microsoft Windows logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft. Disclaimer: FixMyPcFree.com is not affiliated with Microsoft, nor claim direct affiliation. The information on this page is provided for information purposes only.

DMCA.com Protection Status

Log in with your credentials

Forgot your details?