How to remove GreatSearchPdf browser plugin?

GreatSearchPdf – What is it?

“GreatSearchPdf” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some special info, for instance, about sport events, make your browser much more secure, enable downloading of any kind of video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “GreatSearchPdf” plugin is fairly useless due to the fact that all such functions are already integrated to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. But often even skilled users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain instances, this hijacker is dispersed together with free tools.

GreatSearchPdf Search Hijacker

How harmful is GreatSearchPdf hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, GreatSearchPdf hijacker is likewise quite unsafe for browser usage. It changes your search engine to its particular – Greatsearchpdf.com, and also modifies your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the mentioned sign).

Apart from viewable alterations done by GreatSearchPdf hijacker, you may discover that some of your search queries are redirecting to the uncertain websites, full of links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can consist of links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting surges if you try to launch Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are a lot more annoying than truly harmful. The main risk, particularly for people who have a great deal of secret information in their internet browsers, is embedded in data gathering functionalities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages, as well as various other activities are simply collected by GreatSearchPdf hijacker.

How to remove GreatSearchPdf search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are typically very easy to remove. Most of the times, they have an independent application that can be spotted in the list of installed applications. Because of the certain distribution method of GreatSearchPdf hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted manually. Nevertheless, if you got GreatSearchPdf in the package with a free applications, your personal computer can be infected with far more severe malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware tools to delete the GreatSearchPdf PUA and all various other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and eliminating a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, severe malware, that may exist on your personal computer in the mentioned case, can disable the Windows antimalware program by editing the Group Policies. To keep away from such situations, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all unwanted applications on your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious programs, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can observe the detected viruses sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for every detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all the viruses will be removed to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing GreatSearchPdf hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender