TopPDFSearch browser hijacker removal instructions

TopPDFSearch – What is it?

“TopPDFSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some certain info, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser much more safe, allow downloading of any type of video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “TopPDFSearch” plugin is pretty pointless because all such features are currently built-in to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But sometimes even qualified users are getting caught on such an attraction. In particular situations, this hijacker is dispersed along with free tools.

TopPDFSearch Search Hijacker

How harmful is TopPDFSearch hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, TopPDFSearch hijacker is also quite unsafe for web browser use. It transforms your search engine to its specific – Toppdfsearch.com, and additionally transforms your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the mentioned symptom).

Apart from viewable modifications done by TopPDFSearch hijacker, you might notice that many of your search queries are redirecting to the untrustworthy web pages, filled with links and ads – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can have web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you try to open Google search page by force.

But all these activities are a lot more annoying than really harmful. The biggest danger, especially for people who have a considerable amount of confidential information in their internet browsers, is installed in information collecting capabilities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited sites, as well as various other activities are simply collected by TopPDFSearch hijacker.

How to remove TopPDFSearch 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 almost always quite easy to delete. Usually, they have a separate app that can be located in the list of installed software. Due to the particular distribution method of TopPDFSearch hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted by hand. However, if you got TopPDFSearch in the package with a free applications, your PC can be infected with far more harmful malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you utilize anti-malware tools to remove the TopPDFSearch PUA and all various other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and eliminating a wide range of malware, including named hijacker. However, severe malware, that can exist on your personal computer in the discussed instance, can disable the Windows antivirus program by modifying the Group Policies. To stay clear of such scenarios, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all unwanted programs 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 viruses, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can observe the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to choose any actions against malware, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for each spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all malware will be moved 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 pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing TopPDFSearch 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