How to remove PDF Converters Search browser plugin?

PDF Converters Search – What is it?

“PDF Converters Search” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some particular information, for instance, about sport events, make your web browser a lot more safe, allow downloading of any web video, et cetera.

Nonetheless, the “PDF Converters Search” plugin is quite ineffective because all such functions are already embedded to your web browser and/or system. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However often even skilled users are getting caught on such an appeal. In specific cases, this hijacker is spread together with free programs.

PDF Converters Search Search Hijacker

How harmful is PDF Converters Search hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, PDF Converters Search hijacker is also pretty hazardous for browser utilization. It modifies your search engine to its specific – Pdfconverters-search.com, and additionally changes your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, changing it to default with the mentioned symptom).

In addition to aesthetic adjustments done by PDF Converters Search hijacker, you may discover that a number of your search queries are redirecting to the unknown web pages, full of links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can consist of web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting increases if you try to launch Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are a lot more bothersome than really dangerous. The most important threat, especially for individuals who have a huge amount of secret information in their web browsers, is installed in data collecting functions. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites, and other activities are easily collected by PDF Converters Search hijacker.

How to remove PDF Converters Search 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 usually pretty simple to deal with. Usually, they have an independent application that can be located in the list of installed apps. As a result of the specific marketing way of PDF Converters Search hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted by hand. Nevertheless, if you got PDF Converters Search in the bundle with a free applications, your system can be contaminated with much more serious malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware programs to delete the PDF Converters Search PUA and all various other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and removing different malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, significant malware, that may be present on your personal computer in the mentioned instance, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by editing the Group Policies. To stay clear of such circumstances, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and erase all unwanted programs on your desktop 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 scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can observe the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

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

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be found in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing PDF Converters Search 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