PDFConverterSearch hijacks browser’s settings, causes redirects to YahooRedirect chain explainedHow to avoid installation of potentially unwanted programs?Remove PDFConverterSearch from your computer easily
This browser hijacker is made to change browser settings on popular web browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and others. It modifies default home page, new tab and default search settings to promote pdfconverter-search.com. Its main page includes a toolbar with a PDF file converter, currency and cryptocurrency converter and a simple calculator. Unfortunately, such suspicious browser hijacker hardly adds any value to the user, as its main target is to generate traffic to ad networks and Yahoo search results, and potentially collect browsing-related data from user’s computer. Typical browser hijackers grab user’s search queries, URLs visited, list of extensions installed, geolocation and possibly user’s IP address. Such and similar collected information can be used to deliver targeted advertising, or be sold to third-parties. Often times, such potentially unwanted programs can display ads to deliver ads promoting other adware/browser hijacking programs that add no real value to user’s browsing experience.
Redirect chain explained
Our analysis revealed that this fake search engine grabs user’s search query, inputs it as a URL parameter and generates a hit to Vashoot.gotrackier.com domain, then routes the user to search.onlinebars.xyz, and finally lands one on search.yahoo.com search results for the entered query. However, it is possible that PDFConverterSearch redirect route can be different or change with time to hit other ad networks or domains. However, we do not think that it is your interest to use a hardly useful search tool that is made to collect information about your browsing habits, thus create series of redirects only to land you on Yahoo search engine. Because of this, some security experts refer to it as Yahoo redirect virus. Such redirects can become seriously annoying, especially if you’re a Google Chrome user who enjoys using Google search engine, or simply if you prefer another search engine that you’re used to. In another scenario, the said hijacker redirected us through the same ad network and same search.onlinebars.xyz domain, but landed on a fake mybrowser-search.com page, which appeared as “Google Custom Search” which means that it isn’t the original Google search results. That said, we recommend you to remove PDFConverterSearch redirect virus without a delay. Although technically this program doesn’t meet characteristics of malware, its annoying behaviour can make people call it this way. To uninstall this browser hijacker, you can use free instructions provided below, or try scanning system with RESTORO.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted programs?
Potentially unwanted programs like PDFConverterSearch browser hijacker or adware typically spread either in software bundles, or via shady online pop-ups. Either way, the user mostly installs it without realizing what is the real program’s purpose. Software bundles are mostly freeware (free programs) that suggest installing “recommended” extra programs during their installation. Their installation wizards provide suggestions to install third-party programs alongside them, all auto-selected for the user. However, such recommendations are frequently provided in fine print or hidden behind “Custom” or “Advanced” installation settings, making it hard for the user to actually notice them. Often times, such installers can recommend various potentially unwanted programs as it generates revenue for its developers. You should always deselect suspicious installation offers and install only the program that you actually need. Moreover, we recommend avoiding various download-anything-you-want websites, as they often serve bundled software to generate revenue. Additionally, be careful with software you decide to install from online ads. We never recommend installing programs that pop-up on your screen after clicking a link or simply during browsing session, especially if it happens when you browse on online gambling or adult-only websites, or sites providing torrent downloads. These sites hardly ever have reputation of being secure, so be very attentive during your visits to them.
Remove PDFConverterSearch from your computer easily
If you have finally decided to remove PDFConverterSearch redirect virus yourself, follow the free guide given below to delete its components from your Windows or Mac computer system. If you’re not in a mood for a manual removal, you can employ a trustworthy spyware/malware removal software of your choice, or try RESTORO, which includes Avira Antivirus scanning engine and is capable to repair various damage on system files. You can find detailed PDFConverterSearch removal steps down below. OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system: GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more. Get INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Windows to remove ransomware, Trojans, adware and other spyware and malware variants and protect your PC and network drives 24/7. This VB100-certified security software uses state-of-art technology to provide protection against ransomware, Zero-Day attacks and advanced threats, Intego Web Shield blocks dangerous websites, phishing attacks, malicious downloads and installation of potentially unwanted programs. Use INTEGO Antivirus to remove detected threats from your computer. Read full review here. RESTORO provides a free scan that helps to identify hardware, security and stability issues and presents a comprehensive report which can help you to locate and fix detected issues manually. It is a great PC repair software to use after you remove malware with professional antivirus. The full version of software will fix detected issues and repair virus damage caused to your Windows OS files automatically. RESTORO uses AVIRA scanning engine to detect existing spyware and malware. If any are found, the software will eliminate them. Read full review here. To remove the unwanted program from your computer, use these instructions below to uninstall associated programs or apps from your Windows or Mac computer. Then scroll down for instructions how to clean each affected web browser individually.
Remove PDFConverterSearch browser hijacker from Windows
Windows 10/8.1/8 users Click on the Windows logo to open Windows menu. In search, type control panel and select the matching result. Then go to Programs and Features. Windows 7 users First, open Windows menu by clicking on the icon in the lower left corner of the screen. Then go to Control Panel and find section called Programs. Click on the Uninstall a program option under it. Windows XP users In Windows XP, click Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs. Uninstall unwanted programs Once in Programs and Features, look through the list of installed programs. You can click on Installed on tab to sort the programs by their installation date. Right-click on suspicious programs you can’t remember installing and choose Uninstall. Follow instructions provided by the Uninstall Wizard, click Next and finally Finish to uninstall the unwanted program from your PC.
Remove PDFConverterSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome Remove suspicious Chrome extensions Change Start Page settings Change default search settings Remove push notifications from Chrome If you want to get rid of the annoying ads and so-called push-notifications viruses, you must identify their components and clean your browser. You can easily remove ads from Chrome by following these steps: Reset Google Chrome browser
Remove PDFConverterSearch browser hijacker from Mozilla Firefox Remove unwanted add-ons from Firefox Change Firefox Homepage Alter preferences in Firefox Remove annoying push notifications from Firefox Suspicious sites that ask to enable push notifications gain access to Mozilla’s settings and can deliver intrusive advertisements when browsing the Internet. Therefore, you should remove access to your browser by following these simple steps: Reset Mozilla Firefox
Remove PDFConverterSearch browser hijacker from Microsoft Edge Remove suspicious extensions: Change MS Edge Start Page and default search engine: Turn off push notifications in Edge If you keep receiving pop-up ads or other promotional content while browsing on Microsoft Edge, your browser might be corrupted by a potentially unwanted program (PUP). You have to clean it — follow these easy instructions: Clear browsing data
Remove PDFConverterSearch browser hijacker from Safari Uninstall suspicious Safari extensions Change Safari Homepage and default search engine Remove push notifications on Safari Some suspicious websites can try to corrupt your Safari by asking to enable push notifications. If you have accidentally agreed, your browser will be flooded with various intrusive advertisements and pop-ups. You can get rid of them by following this quick guide: Reset Safari
Remove PDFConverterSearch browser hijacker from Internet Explorer TIP: If you are still using IE, we strongly advise using Microsoft Edge or a different browser because Microsoft is no longer providing technical or security support for IE browser. Remove suspicious extensions from IE Change default search provider and remove suspicious ones Change IE Home Page Block pop-up notifications on Internet Explorer Suspicious websites can gain access to your Internet Explorer browser through push notifications. If you enable them even by accident, you will start receiving numerous annoying ads and other advertising content while browsing. The easiest way to remove push-notification viruses is by performing the following steps: Reset Internet Explorer
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