Remove PDFSearchio from infected browsers

Easy steps to delete PDFSearchio

PDFSearchio is perilous webpage redirect virus that illegally makes changes in the browser settings and alters pdfsearchio.com as the default homepage and search engine provider. Most of the victims download such apps accidentally and don’t realize when and how this happened. According to security expert point of view, it is also considered as potentially unwanted application. One step further, this browser hijacker has data tracking abilities hence it can spy on user’s activities.

After infiltration, this app takes complete control over all installed browsers and makes unreliable changes into it such as default search engine, browsers homepage and new tab URLs. Whenever you open any new tab URL or use any search engine, the webpage get redirected to the addresses of fake web search engine. Rather it shows an altered result from search.yahoo.com. Due to this, any changes made by you will be automatically reverted by the browser.

As mentioned earlier in the introduction, PDFSearchio can track data. They monitor users browsing habits and steal information including IP addresses, URLs visited, viewed pages, entered search queries and other details. These details are sold to third parties by the developers who misuse it in order to generate revenue. Thus, users are bound to face huge financial losses and identity exposure. So, it is recommended to eliminate all suspicious applications immediately.

How PDFSearchio gets inside the computer?

In most cases, the malware payloads and files come along with peer to peer file sharing download, spam emails and ads and pop-ups over internet. As a potential victim, you may receive tons of spam emails in the inbox containing malicious attachments or suspicious webpage links. In same way, download of freeware and shareware programs from unreliable websites may also cause to hidden attachment download. As soon as this program invades inside, it will disable your antivirus and firewall security measures to avoid its removal and detection.

In order to avoid it, you must take precautionary measures:

• Avoid using any unsafe website especially if the domain related to gambling, online dating etc.
• Don’t open email attachment sent by strangers. Such emails usually contain a lot of spelling and grammatical errors.
• Use only official websites and direct links for any software download.

Remove PDFSearchio

If your PC is already infected with this type of browser hijacker, then you are advised to remove this threat quickly from the system as it may lead to various harmful effects. To remove this infection, two processes have been described below namely manual and automatic. Manual removal of this threat could be quite risky and time taking as well as also requires advanced technical skills. So, we suggest our user to use some reliable antivirus removal tool that has the ability to remove PDFSearchio completely and safely from the infected PC.

Quick Glance

Name: PDFSearchio

Type: Browser Hijacker, PUP, Search hijacker, Toolbar

Short Description: A questionable browser extension that hijacks the homepage, new tab page and default search engine in Chrome browser. All modifications happen without your knowledge.

Symptoms: The homepage, new tab page and search engine in preferred web browser are set to display a hoax search engine pushed by PDFSearchio. Browser slowdowns occur due to increased number of online ads.

Distribution Method: Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers, Corrupted websites and many more.

Damage: internet browser tracking-possibly privacy issues, loss of private information, display of unwanted ads and redirects to dubious websites.

Removal: In order to remove PDFSearchio, we advised you to follow given below removal instructions or you can use anti-malware removal tool.

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 PDFSearchio:

Remove the related items of PDFSearchio 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 PDFSearchio 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 (PDFSearchio) 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 PDFSearchio 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 PDFSearchio 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 PDFSearchio 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 PDFSearchio 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 PDFSearchio (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.