How To Remove PDFConverterSearchApp Hijacker

Manual Uninstall Process Of PDFConverterSearchApp

PDFConverterSearchApp is a type of browser hijacking application which tends to make changes to default browser’s settings to promote pdfconvertersearchapp.com- a deceptive search engine. It is presented as a useful tool that enhances users’ web browsing experience by providing improved and fast search results. However, despite of all the claims, it can’t be trusted as the only motive of its developers is to boost traffic for third-party websites and make quick online revenues from rookie users. Soon after getting into the Windows computers, it modifies the search engine, startpage and new tab preferences and then starts displaying intrusive adverts and triggering redirects to affiliate web pages.

Depth Analysis of PDFConverterSearchApp:

Search tool promoted by PDFConverterSearchApp is indeed not able to produce results by itself. And hence, it redirects to search.yahoo.com or searchlee.com. In simple words, it delivers results powered by Yahoo or any other nasty search engine. However, the outcomes are still not as expected since they generally contain sponsored links and commercial contents right at the top. This perilous hijacker bombards your computer screen with thousands of annoying ads all over the day that makes your web sessions very complex. These ads are based on victims’ browsing habits and hence, most of them look very eye-catching and can easily gain their attention.

Ads by PDFConverterSearchApp work on pay-per-click scheme and when clicked, make revenues for the creators. Clicking on these adverts though can be very risky for your system’s security as they often contain perilous links and redirect users to various scam, phishing or even malware-laced pages that host trojan, ransomware and other notorious cyber threats. At some sites, a number of fake security alerts, error messages, update notifications etc. show up trying to trick visitors into downloading/installing shady application. So, you need to be very careful while interacting with these adverts no matter how attractive or useful they look.

When PDFConverterSearchApp is inside your computer, your online are monitored whatever you do over the web. This nasty PUP collects your browsing-related data such as URLs of accessed domains, entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations and can also steal your personal information like credit card and bank details. These data is later on sold to third-parties for monetary purposes and can be utilized for several malicious purposes such as generating personalized ads, making fraudulent transactions or purchases etc. And hence, an instant PDFConverterSearchApp removal is strongly required.

Quick Glance

Name: PDFConverterSearchApp

Type: Browser hijacker, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Makes changes to default browser’s settings, displays intrusive pop-ups ads, Redirects users to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products and make online revenues for the creators.

Symptoms: Modified home page, search engine, new tab settings, your PC becomes slower than normal, tons of annoying advertisements, fake pop-up messages, identity theft. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool is recommended.

Ways To Spread PDFConverterSearchApp:

Some potentially unwanted programs have official pages from where they can be downloaded easily. However, most often they are spread without users’ consent or knowledge through software bundling tactic. They are included in single package along with regular software and when users download a freeware from third-party site like soft32.com, download.com etc. and then install it using the Quick or Recommended settings, they end up installing these unwanted threats without even realizing. Clicking on vicious ads or links may take you to potentially infectious sites that are filled with malevolent contents and hence, it may lead to PUP intrusion.

How To Prevent Hijacker Intrusion?

So to prevent such precarious situations, it is necessary to be very careful while browsing the net and downloading products or software from reliable sources or direct links only. Furthermore, always select Custom or Advanced installation options which allow you to opt-out the object that give a concerning look. Moreover, avoid interacting with suspicious ads or hyperlinks as they might redirect you to malware-laden sites. In case your device is already infected with this hijacker, you must remove PDFConverterSearchApp from the system without wasting any time.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove PDFConverterSearchApp:

Remove the related items of PDFConverterSearchApp using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing PDFConverterSearchApp issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (PDFConverterSearchApp) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to PDFConverterSearchApp removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter. In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to PDFConverterSearchApp still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove PDFConverterSearchApp plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in PDFConverterSearchApp removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete PDFConverterSearchApp (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.