| 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.
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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
