Do you know what Convert-myfiles.link is?
Convert-myfiles.link is described as a powerful search engine, but according to our computer security specialists, it is just another browser hijacker. Apparently, it comes with a PDF converter extension, and it might change various browser preferences; plus, show user unreliable advertising content from the software’s third-party partners. In other words, it is not a trustworthy tool, and if you do not want to take any chances, we would recommend finding a more reputable search engine and PDF converter. Further, in the text, we will explain why we do not think it would be wise to leave Convert-myfiles.link unattended. Moreover, for users who do not want to take any chances with this browser hijacker, we can offer our removal guide available at the end of the main text. Since the threat is compatible just with Google Chrome, for now, the instructions will show how to delete the suspicious extension from this browser manually.
At the moment of writing our researchers report Convert-myfiles.link travels together with a browser extension available on Chrome Web Store page. It is called Convert My Files, and it works only on Google Chrome browsers. The description on Chrome Web Store page says it is an “easy to use PDF converter” that “includes a powerful search bar for a truly seamless browsing experience.” However, after looking closely at this said to be powerful search engine we realized it uses Yahoo search engine to gather results. It means it is almost the same as to use the original search.yahoo.com, except given this might be a custom version; it is possible the browser hijacker could be able to inject the results with advertisements from the software’s third-party partners. In other words with Convert-myfiles.link users could receive modified search results with suspicious advertising content coming from unknown sources. We believe this might be possible since the threat’s End User License Agreement states the application’s creators can use information gathered about the user “to provide notices to you which may be of use or interest to you.”
Furthermore, our computer security specialists think the ads this browser hijacker may display could generate advertising content for its developers. Thus, the more you use Convert-myfiles.link, the more third-party advertising you might see, and if you interact with it, your clicks could generate advertising revenue for the threats creators. It seems to us this would explain why the application seeks to promote its search engine’s usage and why it might need to change user’s default search engine, homepage, or new tab preferences. The problem is if the browser hijacker starts displaying third-party ads there is a possibility some of them could be potentially dangerous (e.g., lead you to scam websites, sites offering similar threats, etc.) as the program’s End User License Agreement also says its developers do not take any responsibility for this product.
Convert-myfiles.link screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
As for the PDF converter tool, it seems to work, but the truth is there are plenty of various online converters to choose from, and they do not even require installing anything. Therefore, if you do not want to leave a suspicious application unattended, we recommend deleting Convert-myfiles.link before anything goes wrong. Instead, you could google.com, search.yahoo.com, or any other reliable search engine. To eliminate this threat entirely, users would need to erase Convert My Files extension too so those who still need a PDF converter will have to search for other alternatives. To get rid of the browser hijacker manually we encourage you to use the removal guide available below, although if you would like to use automatic features instead, you could pick a reputable antimalware tool and perform a system scan.
Eliminate Convert-myfiles.link
- Press Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to the listed paths:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions - Search for folders called clhkbldihegalmdahapgmhdfpdkbjghb, right-click them and select Delete.
- Go to this location C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
- Look for files called Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data, then right-click them one by one and choose Delete.
- Close File Explorer.
- Empty Recycle bin.
In non-techie terms:
Convert-myfiles.link might look like a handy application, but you should know it is considered to be a browser hijacker. It means it could change user’s browser preferences and provide him with unreliable third-party advertising content. Our computer security specialists also noticed it comes with a browser extension that requires specific permissions from Google Chrome, such as allow the application change data on the web pages you visit and replace the website you get after creating a new tab. Given, the software does not appear to be trustworthy; we do not think it would be wise to allow it to perform such activities. If you do not feel you can trust it either, we urge you not to take any chances and find yourself more reputable alternatives you could use without having to fear something might go wrong. To erase this browser hijacker manually, users should complete the tasks listed in the removal guide available a bit above. Naturally, if the steps seem a bit too challenging, you can always employ a legitimate antimalware tool and use it instead.