Fast Media Converter (Removal Instructions) - updated Dec 2019
Fast Media Converter Removal Guide
What is Fast Media Converter?
Fast Media Converter – a PUP that claims to be a handy converting app while throwing unwanted ads on the user's PC
Fast Media Converter, created and released by Applon, describes itself as a useful tool for file converting when it truly has been flagged as a PUP by many cybersecurity researchers. The app offers fast audio file converting by only clicking one button. However, everything is not that nice as it might appear to you from the first view. The bogus tool has earned the name of Fast Media Converter for a reason. Its distribution is based on deceptive tactics and it includes some adware-related features such as advertising and redirecting. Also, once the app stealthily appears on the computer system, you might see the FastMediaConverterApp.exe process running in the Task Manager location.
| Name | Fast Media Converter |
|---|---|
| Category | Potentially unwanted program/adware |
| Process | Once this app gets installed, it places the FastMediaConverterApp.exe file in the PC's the Task Manager section |
| Goal | This app presents itself as an audio file converting program when it truly is categorized as an unwanted program. It seeks to benefit from users and bring income via pop-up ads |
| Actions | Regarding the fact that this app might act as adware, you have a chance of receiving unwanted advertisements, redirecting during browsing tasks, and discovering unexpected changes in the browser's homepage/new tab URL bar |
| Spreading | The app can be downloaded from third-party websites such as cnet.com, download.com, softonic.com, etc. |
| Removal | You can get rid of the adware with the help of automatical software or by using step-by-step guidelines (look at the end of this website) |
| Fix | If the PUP has compromised some system components on your machine, you can try fixing them with a system repair tool such as FortectIntego |
Fast Media Converter is not only a program that can be used for converting files. It may also become a totally annoying intruder that causes such things as pop-up ads, redirects, browser changes, and computer/program slowdowns. Even though most of these activities are only intrusive, some of them can carry the risk of potential harm.
If Fast Media Converter aims to infect some of your browsers, you might spot unexpected changes in the homepage and new tab URL sections. Also, the adware might fill your browser settings with unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons as additional components that allow the PUP[1] to perform a bigger variety of activities.
By the way, this program may also be set to track its victims and collect information about their browsing habits. No matter that it states that the only thing it is interested in is personally non-identifiable data, you can never know what information Fast Media Converter may start to collect.
Recording information such as the pages visited, hyperlinks accessed, adverts clicked, saved bookmarks, geographic location, IP address, and other browser-based data allows the developers of Fast Media Converter to generate targeted advertisements and provide users with misleading deals.
In some cases, Fast Media Converter might load you with various surveys, questionnaires, and reward claims. Be aware of such content as it is considered to be fake and might aim to swindle your personal information or money. DO NOT enter personally-identifiable or credential data if you are asked to by random pop-ups.
Furthermore, Fast Media Converter ads can redirect you to other places that are considered to be suspicious or even potentially dangerous. If you land on a malware-laden location, you are at a big risk of catching a malware infection, such as trojan, ransomware, or others.
To avoid the mentioned risk, you should remove Fast Media Converter from your computer system and web browser apps. For this purpose, you can choose automatical software or complete the step-by-step guidelines that are added to the end of this article. Also, if the PUP has compromised some system objects, you can try repairing them with FortectIntego software.
Fast Media Converter removal is necessary not only to avoid the risk of malware infiltration but also to gain back full browsing quality. Intrusive advertising and redirecting sessions might require a big amount of your CPU's[2] energy that might result in struggling applications, system freezes, and so on.
PUPs distribute by using deceptive techniques
Potentially unwanted programs can be downloaded from various download sites, including download, cnet, softonic, etc. Such programs may also infiltrate computers without being noticed in a bundle with other programs. If you do not recall installing a particular app, this might be the way how it could have ended on your machine.
If this is the case, you have to start taking your cybersecurity more seriously. For that, we recommend choosing only Custom/Advanced installation that allows checking what programs are attached to the application that you need to install on the system. Avoid all Quick modes that permit the installation of all additional products.
Continuously, be aware that PUPs might enter your system from questionable hyperlinks an advertisements that you might click while visiting secondary pages online. Keep a distance from all the websites that are flagged as unsafe to proceed with. Install reliable antivirus security software that will also alert if something deceptive is awaiting.
Removing Fast Media Converter
Technically, Fast Media Converter is not malware but it may cause lots of inconveniences and distractions when inside the system. That is the main reason why we recommend you eliminate the suspicious program from your computer.
You can accomplish Fast Media Converter removal with the help of the below-provided guidelines that are here to lead you throughout the entire computer and browser cleaning process. However, there is also another option that you have. According to Virusai.lt experts,[3] the second possibility is even a better one.
You can also remove Fast Media Converter with the help of antivirus software. These programs are safe to use and will find every suspicious product that has been added by the PUP. This way you will save some time by leaving the entire process for the antimalware tool to complete.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Fast Media Converter. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
To clean your Windows computer system from unwanted products, you can complete the following guiding instructions
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
To wipe out all extensions and plug-ins that you do not recall adding, use these steps
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Fast Media Converter registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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- ^ Margaret Rouse. PUP (potentially unwanted program). Search Security. Tech Target.
- ^ Jon Martindale. What is a CPU?. Digital Trends. Computing.
- ^ Virusai. Virusai. Security and spyware news.