ConvertAd is a browser extension with adware capabilities. Once on a computer, ConvertAd starts displaying advertisements and pop-ups during browsing sessions. While not a threat by itself, ConvertAd may direct to potentially threatening websites. ConvertAd has a running process and can be discovered by reviewing the active processes on the machine. Overall, ConvertAd qualifies as adware.
How ConvertAd is Distributed
ConvertAd has its website ? convertad.com. It was used to promote ConvertAd and lull the users into download this adware. However, for some time now the site has been down. This leaves distribution through other software its only option. Like most adware, ConvertAd propagates via bundling. Most often, ConvertAd is packaged with other freeware and shareware offerings, hidden behind clauses and deceptive agreement proposals. Even if installing options are not presented, it does not mean that ConvertAd will be unable to gain access to the machine. In some cases, a mere executable on the computer is enough for ConvertAd to start working and generate advertisements. Most often the so-called download clients are the main contributors to the distribution of ConvertAd and its ilk.
Users should always be wary when downloading shareware and freeware offerings and follow the old but gold proverb – “There is no such thing as a free lunch”. Every “free” offering should be approached with a healthy dose of skepticism, lest you want to fall for the Venus flytrap of the Internet. Any agreement and proposal should be carefully evaluated. Options like “Quick”, “Express” and “Fast” should be avoided in favor of the “Custom” and “Advanced” routes. While intimidating to some of the users, these options will allow you better control of the installation process and may prevent the installation of unwanted applications.
What Exactly does ConvertAd Do?
As already mentioned, ConvertAd is an adware infection. Under the pretense of an advertisement enhancer, ConvertAd infiltrates your browser(s). ConvertAd can interact with the all of the most popular browsers – Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Once ConvertAd is stationed comfortably on your computer, ConvertAd starts producing advertisements during your browser sessions. These include banners, pop-ups and hyperlinked text. This ad-popping event occurs most often when visiting online shopping sites like Amazon, eBay, etc. However, in some cases, the ads may crop up even when visiting websites that have little to do with online shopping; sites like YouTube are a good example of this.
Even though it has next to nothing in regards to online shopping, when visiting YouTube ConvertAd may display its ads. ConvertAd may also modify your browser settings, the homepage in most cases. It should be noted that ConvertAd is not always installed on the machine ConvertAd inhabits. As already mentioned, in some cases the ConvertAd is taking a form of a mere executable file. Therefore, you will not be able to find it in the “Installed Programs” section of Microsoft Windows. However, it can be easily detected by opening the Windows Task Manager and locating the “ConvertAd.exe” process. Please note that even if you stop the “ConvertAd.exe” process, it may start again on the next computer boot up as the ConvertAd automatically starts on Windows startup.
Even though ConvertAd by itself does not pose a threat to your security, the ads and banners ConvertAd produces may be dangerous to your virtual health. Ads stating that you have won a prize are an excellent example of avoidable clicks. Even though it might be tempting to the layman, clicking on such banners may be risky. Most of the sites that ConvertAd promotes have not gone through a screening process determining their legitimacy and threat level.
Suggested Course of Action
Overall, the ConvertAd adware does not pose a serious threat. However, ConvertAd may redirect you to less than honest websites that may have more serious threats present and waiting to latch onto your system. Should you discover that your computer has the case of the ConvertAd adware, evaluate its benefits and detractors. After all, some people enjoy the occasional advertisement banner. Should you, however, find that ConvertAd does more harm than good, security experts advise its removal, preferably via a professional anti-virus application.
Are you getting popups from ConvertAd? Have you identified that you have ConvertAd
installed on your computer? Do you wish to remove ConvertAd completely from your computer?
Why should you remove ConvertAd?
If ConvertAd resides on your computer, it can potentially damage your personal files or
you may end up losing data stored on your system. Research has shown that ConvertAd may have
the ability to make your computer vulnerable to remote attacks which could result, initially, in
loss of money, possibly identity theft, and, eventually, a painstaking ConvertAd removal
process.
How can you manually remove ConvertAd
Manual removal of ConvertAd may not be for everyone. Each
manual ConvertAd removal step must be followed delicately to completely remove all related
files and registry entries from your computer. If you are unsure or have doubts about editing your
system registry, then we recommend that you use the automatic ConvertAd removal process.
ConvertAd can be removed manually by following the steps below.
With all programs closed, click the Start Menu and go to the
Control Panel.
Locate the Add/Remove Programs icon and double click it.
Locate ConvertAd in the list of programs. If you find it, select
it and remove it. If you cannot find ConvertAd, you can continue to step 5.
Restart your computer.
Close all open programs and windows on your desktop.
Open your registry editor (regedit) program by going to Start Menu, type in
regedit, and click OK.
Find all of the following registry entries and delete them. If you do not know how to do this,
then you can read how to edit the registry in Windows.
You may need to return to this removal process for removing ConvertAd.
You can do this easily by bookmarking or adding a favorite to this page by
clicking here. If you are using the FireFox web browser you can press the
keys Ctrl and D simultaneously to bookmark
this page.
Image 1. Bookmark PCHubs removal process
Delete all of the following files that are associated with ConvertAd from
your computer.
If you need a better understanding on how to search for these files then you can read
how to find and search for files and folders here.
If you have issues deleting any of the previously listed files that are associated
with ConvertAd, you can try rebooting your computer into safe mode. Booting into safe mode may
allow certain malicious files to be deleted. If you are wondering how to boot into safe mode, you can
read our process for starting a computer in safe mode here.
Image 2. Select "Safe Mode with Networking"
After locating and deleting the previous files you must remove all directories
associated with ConvertAd by going to the
C:\ProgramFiles\ConvertAd folder, select it, and delete it.
In some cases you may not be able to find this directory. You can still continue to the
next step.
Restart your computer. You do not need to boot into safe mode at
this point. You should have removed ConvertAd completely from your computer.
If you find that ConvertAd is still on your computer, you can repeat the steps
again or go to the automatic ConvertAd removal process.