SearchConverterIt

SearchConverterIt advertises itself as a useful application that could improve the user browsing and search experience. However, the truth is that it acts as a browser hijacker that will take control over specific browser settings to promote a sponsored address. Furthermore, SearchConverterIt relies on questionable distribution techniques predominantly to spread itself classifying it as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), as well.

Once the application is established onto the user's computer, it will proceed to modify the homepage, new page tab and the default search engine. All three of the settings will be changed to open the searchconverterit.com address, which is a fake search engine. Hoax engines of this type are incapable of producing any meaningful search results on their own. Instead, they hijack the user's search query and redirect it to a legitimate engine. In this case, SearchConverterIt uses Google to generate results. Keep in mind that while the PUP is installed on the system, it may prevent any further changes to the browser's settings. 

The biggest red flag around SearchConverterIt is its ability to track the user's browsing habits. Information such as all clicked URLs and visited websites could be logged and uploaded to a remote server. The entire search history, as well as device details (IP address, ISP, geolocation), also could be included in the collected data. The PUP's creators could then attempt to sell the received data to third parties.