About PDFConverterSearchHD hijacker origins

PDFConverterSearchHD search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to search some special info, for example, about sport events, make your browser far more safe, enable downloading of any type of video clip, et cetera.

However, the PDFConverterSearchHD plugin is rather pointless since all such features are already embedded to your browser and/or system. Such marketing slogans are targeted on low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But frequently even experienced users are getting caught on such an attraction. In specific situations, this hijacker is dispersed along with free programs.

How harmful is PDFConverterSearchHD hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, PDFConverterSearchHD hijacker is additionally considerably harmful for web browser use. It changes your search engine to its specific – PDFConverterSearchHD.com, and also alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the specified symbol).

Aside from seeable transformations done by PDFConverterSearchHD hijacker, you can notice that some of your search inquiries are redirecting to the uncertain websites, filled with links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can have the web links for malware downloading. The possibility of redirecting boosts if you try to open Google search page by force.

However all these actions are a lot more bothersome than truly dangerous. The largest threat, primarily for people who have a great deal of confidential information in their web browsers, is installed in data collecting capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites as well as other activities are easily gathered by PDFConverterSearchHD hijacker.

How to remove PDFConverterSearchHD 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 rather easy to deal with. Most of the times, they have an independent app that can be seen in the list of installed programs. Because of the particular marketing tactic of PDFConverterSearchHD hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and removed manually. Nevertheless, if you got PDFConverterSearchHD in the package with a free application( s), your system can be infected with a lot more harmful malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I ‘d recommend you to use anti-malware programs to deal with the PDFConverterSearchHD PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and eliminating various malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, serious malware, that might be present on your PC in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such circumstances, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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

You can spectate the detected malware sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

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

Reset browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot 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 button, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to original.

Deleteing PDFConverterSearchHD 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 the time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of 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