| Name | ConvertBox Toolbar |
| Type | File converter, PUP, browser hijacker |
| Short Description | ConvertBox is supposed to help users convert various files and enhance their web searching experience. |
| Symptoms | A new tab page is added. |
| Distribution Method | From Chrome Web store, or via third party installers. |
| Detection tool | Download SpyHunter, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By ConvertBox Toolbar |
ConvertBox Toolbar is a toolbar developed by Ask.com. It is available for download on Chrome Web store, and possibly on freeware pages, and is compatible with Google Chrome. However, another way the toolbar can be installed onto the system is the bundling method. Software bundling means that third party developers have included the toolbar in their installers to generate revenue and monetize profit.
To avoid any of this from ever happening, just be careful while installing software. Make sure to go through the product’s EULA and Download Agreement, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Users tend to forget how important it is to get informed about the software they let into their systems.
ConvertBox Toolbar Official Description
The Toolbar by ask.com is described as quite the useful tool that easily converts documents and images, and enhances web searching by adding a new tab to the Chrome browser. However, once the toolbar is installed, the user will have ConvertBox configured as his New Tab page. The user’s homepage may also be changed – to ask.com.
Once the ‘Free+ Add to Chrome’ is clicked, the user automatically agrees to the End User License Agreement (EULA) and the Privacy Policy. No matter if he has read them or not.
- Similar Toolbars:
ConverterPro
EasyDocMerge
However, if the extension was installed on the system ‘silently’, it may have been distributed via bundling. Once the browser’s new tab page has been changed to ConvertBox, the user should be aware that his browser has been ‘hijacked’.
ConvertBox Toolbar/ ask.com Privacy Policy
The developers automatically collect information from users, once they have agreed (or ‘agreed’) to use the Services. Here is a list of the type of data obtained from users – personally identifiable and non-personally identifiable:
- IP address.
- Unique mobile device identifier.
- Technical information about the PC or mobile device – type of device, mobile device ID number, web browser, other browser information (size, connection speed and connection type), and operating system.
- Preferences and settings.
- Internet provider.
- The URL of the last webpage visited prior to visiting the Website.
- Information about the user’s activity on the Services (search queries, mis-formatted DNS entries, search results, search history, clicks, pages viewes, comments).
- The mobile device’s geographic location (if the extension is installed on one).
- If a Search Application is also installed, ask.com may also collect information about the Search Application.
Image here:
Once the toolbar is installed, cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies will be added to the browser. This is done so that user information (have a look at the list above) is automatically collected.
ConvertBox Toolbar Removal Options
ConvertBox has an official uninstallation guide. However, after you have uninstalled the extension, you may want to scan your system. If the toolbar was downloaded thanks to the tricky but legal bundling technique, other PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) may have sneaked into the system.
To uninstall unwanted software from the PC, turn to a powerful anti-malware solution or seek professional help. Unless you are an expert user, this is the best way to stay protected against ad-supported software and malware, in general.
Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter
1. Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove ConvertBox Toolbar.
For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: Click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
2. Remove ConvertBox Toolbar automatically with Spy Hunter Malware – Removal Tool.
To clean your computer with the award-winning software Spy Hunter –
It is highly recommended to run a system scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove ConvertBox Toolbar from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of ConvertBox Toolbar from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove ConvertBox Toolbar from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase ConvertBox Toolbar from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall ConvertBox Toolbar from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove ConvertBox Toolbar from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate ConvertBox Toolbar from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove ConvertBox Toolbar from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove ConvertBox Toolbar
Step 2: Uninstall ConvertBox Toolbar and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by ConvertBox Toolbar on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by ConvertBox Toolbar there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of ConvertBox Toolbar from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall ConvertBox Toolbar and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove ConvertBox Toolbar via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove ConvertBox Toolbar from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase ConvertBox Toolbar from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall ConvertBox Toolbar from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove ConvertBox Toolbar from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the ConvertBox Toolbar will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate ConvertBox Toolbar from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
