FileConvertOnline Toolbar

FileConvertOnline Toolbar is presented as a useful browser plugin that can replace a bulky file converter. Although it is promoted as powerful software for converting .doc and .pdf files from/to more than 30 file formats, many users find it quite useless because the only activity it performs on users’ computers is changing their homepages and New Tab URLs. We cannot say that FileConvertOnline Toolbar is completely useless because it sets a page with buttons opening third-party services that allow converting files online, but it is all it does, so we are sure that it is better to install a powerful file converter in its place. We want to emphasize that similar browser plugins developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc. are also advertised as beneficial applications, but, in reality, they are basically useless so do not even bother installing any piece of software belonging to this infamous company. Do not forget that they are capable of showing up on users’ computers without their consent as well.

FileConvertOnline Toolbar is called a potentially unwanted program not without reason, of course. Specialists at pcthreat.com have conducted study seeking to find more about this browser plugin and how it really acts, and they are now sure that it might perform activities that are not typical for reliable software. First of all, what the majority of users do not like is that this Mindspark product changes their browsers’ settings thus making old pages gone. We can only image how annoying it is to see the preferred page gone after the illegal entrance of this extension. Of course, despite the fact that it usually arrives on computers without the users’ knowledge, there are some people who like the changes they see applied to their browsers. Most probably, you are not one of these users if you are reading this article. Actually, we are glad that you are not one of them because not everything is as perfect as it might seem at first. Research conducted by our experienced researchers has left no doubt that the page set by this extension has its drawbacks too even though it contains those quick-access buttons allowing users to start converting files with the click of a button and accessing popular pages like Facebook, Amazon, Instagram, YouTube, and others. First, since the search tool located on the page set by FileConvertOnline Toolbar is powered by a dubious search engine MyWay (search.myway.com), the chances are high that you will see some sponsored search results if you use it for performing web searches. If you click on them, you might be redirected to third-party pages against your will, but we have to say that ignoring those sponsored links is not a solution to the problem either because it is hardly possible to distinguish them from ordinary search results. Second, those users who want to keep their privacy safe and sound should also not keep FileConvertOnline Toolbar installed because both this extension and the search tool it promotes might record certain information about users and then disclose it to third parties. Your passwords and logins will not be stolen, but we are sure that details linked to your web browsing activities will be recorded.

The third reason FileConvertOnline Toolbar is referred to an untrustworthy browser extension is the fact that it can show up on computers even if users do not download it willingly from its official website (http://www.fileconvertonline.com/index.jhtml) or the Chrome Web Store (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/fileconvertonline/dafegaaojdkpkbhdaimhkdhjiaodegbc?utm_source=chrome-app-launcher-info-dialog). There are two alternative distribution methods used to spread it, specialists say. First, it might be spread bundled next to various third-party applications. Second, it might be promoted by suspicious pop-up ads. These ads might pop up on users’ screens when they land on an untrustworthy third-party page. Also, the entrance of an ad-supported program on their computers might also be the reason these untrustworthy software promoting advertisements are visible. In such a case, you cannot keep that program active on your PC, so first take care of FileConvertOnline Toolbar and then go to delete that adware.

You are lucky if only your Internet Explorer browser has been affected by FileConvertOnline Toolbar because you could undo the changes easily by removing this browser plugin through Control Panel. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same if you use other browsers, e.g., Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome because the extension representing FileConvertOnline Toolbar will have to be deleted from these browsers completely manually. You can do this through the add-ons manager, or you can follow our step-by-step instructions. If something goes wrong and the page set by this Mindspark toolbar stays set as your homepage and New Tab URL, scan your computer with an automated scanner. It will remove this page from your browser and, on top of that, erase other active threats, including that adware showing pop-ups promoting third-party software.

Delete FileConvertOnline Toolbar

Internet Explorer

Windows 7/Vista/8/8.1/10

1. Press Win+R.
2. Type Control Panel in the empty line and click OK.
3. Go to Uninstall a program.
4. Select the undesirable application and click Uninstall.

Windows XP

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select Control Panel and click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Select the program you want to remove.
4. Click Remove.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Explorer (press Win+E).
2. Delete _i4Members_@free.fileconvertonline.com from %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[PROFILE]\extensions.
3. Open %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[PROFILE] .
4. Delete the folder FileConvertOnline_i4.

Google Chrome

1. Tap Win+E on your keyboard to open Explorer.
2. Delete the extension folder dafegaaojdkpkbhdaimhkdhjiaodegbc from the following directories one after the other:

• %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\[PROFILE]\Sync Extension Settings
• %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\[PROFILE]\Local Extension Settings
• %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\[PROFILE]\Extensions