What Is SocialSearchConverter?
SocialSearchConverter is classified as a browser hijacker and a rogue browser extension. Such extensions are usually promoted as useful utilities that improve searching. In the case of SocialSearchConverter, it comes from a family of many other similar extensions (or add-ons) that all share the same homepage design. Other examples include TopConverterSearch and ProPDFConverterSearch. Once it is added to your browser, your default page would be changed to portal.socialsearchconverter.com.
It should be noted that SocialSearchConverter is not malicious. However, it may be associated with the display of unwanted advertisements. Furthermore, if you don’t recall downloading the extension yourself, then it may have been included in the installer of another free program. This method is known as software bundling. You can read more about it and the other ways of distributing SocialSearchConverter across users in the article below.
Threat Summary
| Name | SocialSearchConverter |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUA |
| Short Description | A browser hijacker that takes over your browser’s settings and redirects to Bing. |
| Symptoms | Unwanted pop-ups may start appearing while you are browsing the web. A browser hijacker may be downloaded without your knowledge. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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SocialSearchConverter – Who Do I Have It?
The extension has its own website which offers various utilities, such as a PDF converter and a calculator. The search functionality it provides redirects to the Nearbyme rogue search engine. This is how the page looks like:
However, if you haven’t downloaded it from its site, it may have appeared in your browser after the download of a freeware program. This means that SocialSearchConverter may have been bundled with another program, a distribution method shortly known as software bundling. Such bundled installers come from download sites that host packaged archives laced with adware, browser plugins, potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), and even malware.
However, this may not be the only distribution approach used by SocialSearchConverter’s developers. Other methods include clicking suspicious links and ads, or subscribing to receive push notifications from suspicious sites, such as PushSub.club:
What Does SocialSearchConverter Do?
SocialSearchConverter may promise to deliver some useful functionality related to watching movies online, but it in fact its only purpose is to flood you with third-party content. This content may redirect you to suspicious page of the scamming type.
Other capabilities include collecting data from the browser, such as:
- Visited URLs and websites
- Browser’s home page
- Search queries
- Search queries on the visited web pages
- Type of used browser
- Operating system type
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Geographic location
- The domain name of the current Internet service provider (ISP)
- Entered keystrokes
The collected details could be sold to third-party advertisers and used in various suspicious online campaigns.
Is SocialSearchConverter a Computer Virus?
Extensions such as this one are not computer viruses. However, they are known to cause various persistent issues, and they can also be hard to remove. Hijackers tend to re-appear even after the affected browser is re-installed. This behavior is quite pesky, and it’s not surprising that most users call hijackers viruses.
How to Remove SocialSearchConverter
To get rid of SocialSearchConverter and all its associated components, you should complete several removal steps. The instructions below provide both manual and automatic removal methods. To completely get rid of the files installed by unwanted applications, we recommend that you combine the steps.
The manual removal may be quite a complicated process that requires tech-savvy skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, you can rely on automatic removal.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove SocialSearchConverter files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SocialSearchConverter, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall SocialSearchConverter 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to SocialSearchConverter:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to SocialSearchConverter. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to SocialSearchConverter. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 SocialSearchConverter 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:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as SocialSearchConverter. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 3: Remove SocialSearchConverter – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SocialSearchConverter-FAQ
What is SocialSearchConverter on your Mac?
The SocialSearchConverter threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like SocialSearchConverter?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from SocialSearchConverter?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the SocialSearchConverter Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SocialSearchConverter how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on SocialSearchConverter?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the SocialSearchConverter threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.