What is PdfConverterSearchOnline browser plugin? — Fix Guide

PdfConverterSearchOnline – What is it?

“PdfConverterSearchOnline” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some certain details, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser far more secure, enable downloading of any kind of video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “PdfConverterSearchOnline” plugin is rather useless due to the fact that all such features are already integrated to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. However occasionally even experienced users are getting caught on such an appeal. In specific situations, this hijacker is spread along with free tools.

PdfConverterSearchOnline Search Hijacker

How harmful is PdfConverterSearchOnline hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, PdfConverterSearchOnline hijacker is likewise fairly hazardous for web browser usage. It changes your search engine to its specific – Pdfconvertersearchonline.com, and likewise alters your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the specified sign).

Aside from aesthetic changes done by PdfConverterSearchOnline hijacker, you may discover that several of your search questions are redirecting to the suspicious sites, filled with links and advertisements – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can consist of web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting increases if you attempt to open Google search page forcibly.

However all these activities are more bothersome than really destructive. The major risk, especially for individuals who have a lot of secret information in their internet browsers, is installed in information collecting capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, and other activities are simply gathered by PdfConverterSearchOnline hijacker.

How to remove PdfConverterSearchOnline 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 generally fairly very easy to remove. For the most part, they have an independent application that can be found in the list of installed programs. Due to the particular marketing manner of PdfConverterSearchOnline hijacker, it can be easily tracked and removed manually. Nonetheless, if you got PdfConverterSearchOnline in the bundle with a free program, your system can be infected with a lot more harmful malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware programs to delete the PdfConverterSearchOnline PUA and all various other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and clearing away different malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, major malware, that may be present on your personal computer in the discussed situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To prevent such scenarios, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and delete 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 see the detected malicious apps 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 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 virus. By default, all the viruses will be removed to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

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

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

Deleteing PdfConverterSearchOnline 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