How to remove QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is hp.myway.com?
Developed by the Mindspark Interactive Network, QuickPDFMerger is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to view and manage PDF files. Judging on appearance alone, QuickPDFMerger may seem legitimate and useful. However, this app is likely to infiltrate systems without permission.
Furthermore, developers use it to promote a dubious search engine. Due to this, QuickPDFMerger is categorized as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) and a browser hijacker.
QuickPDFMerger promotes the hp.myway.com search engine. Browser hijackers usually target popular web browsers (e.g. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.). Following successful infiltration, they assign the default search engine, homepage and new tab/window URLs - to the addresses of fake search engines.
QuickPDFMerger makes these modifications to browsers as well - in order to promote hp.myway.com. These changes may seem insignificant but users are unable to revert them.
Like most browser hijackers, QuickPDFMerger continues to reassign browser options when attempts to change them are made, so unless the browser hijacker is uninstalled - returning browsers to their previous states is impossible.
Hence, users are encouraged to visit hp.myway.com when they open a new browser tab/window or search via the URL bar - and they cannot undo these modifications without removing the software affecting the browser. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience.
Fake search engines are seldom capable of providing search results (and if they can - the results tend to be inaccurate and/or promote untrustworthy/malicious websites), these web searchers usually redirect to Yahoo, Google, Bing and other legitimate ones. In addition, QuickPDFMerger can record information, as many browser hijackers do.
Information of interest includes: IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries and other similar data. The collected information is often shared with third parties and might be misused to generate revenue. Therefore, information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues and even identity theft.
To ensure device and user safety, it is crucial to eliminate all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.
| Name | QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), DrWeb (Adware.MyWebSearch.147), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA Potentially), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Agen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | QuickPDFMerger |
| Supposed Functionality | Easy viewing and management of PDF documents |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Promoted Domain | hp.myway.com |
| Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com) | 23.63.166.33 |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
The Mindspark Interactive Network has released dozens of apps identical to QuickPDFMerger. Users should note that ProductManualsPro, WatchMyTVShows, OnlinePrivacyManager, MyAudioTab and other products from this company offer different functionalities, yet their behavior is the same.
Furthermore, the promised features are typically nonoperational and this is common for all types of PUAs. The only purpose of unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers. Therefore, any claims of "useful features" are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
PUAs have no real value to users and can instead cause various issues. This software is designed to hijack browsers, cause redirects, deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns and gather private information.
How did QuickPDFMerger install on my computer?
QuickPDFMerger can be downloaded for free from its "official" website. However, promotional websites is not the only way that PUAs are distributed. As mentioned in the introduction, these apps often infiltrate systems without user permission, typically due to the questionable distribution method called "bundling".
This deceptive marketing technique is stealth installation of unwanted applications together with regular software. User tendency to rush download/installation processes is well known. Therefore, "bundled" software is commonly hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of download/installation setups.
By rushing and skipping steps, users can expose their systems to potential infections and unintentionally compromise their own privacy. Intrusive adverts also proliferate such apps. Once clicked on, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without user consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to always research content and only download it from official/verified sources (preferably, via direct download links). Third party download/installation tools are monetized through the use of the "bundling" method (i.e. promotion of dubious programs). Therefore, these tools should never be used.
To prevent download/installation of unwanted products, it is strongly advised to exercise caution when downloading and installing software. That includes: carefully analyzing all steps of the download/installation processes, selecting the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opting-out from additional apps, extensions/plug-ins, features, etc.
Intrusive ads appear legitimate and harmless, however they redirect to various questionable webpages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on). In case of encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, the system must be inspected and all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins immediately removed from it.
If your computer is already infected with QuickPDFMerger, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Installation setup of QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker:
QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker asking for various permissions on Google Chrome:
QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker asking for various permissions on Mozilla Firefox:
Website promoting QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker (Google Chrome):
Website promoting QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker (Firefox):
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Quick menu:
- What is hp.myway.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall QuickPDFMerger application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove hp.myway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "QuickPDFMerger Internet Explorer..."), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the hp.myway.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
QuickPDFMerger browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://hp.myway.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "hp.myway".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the quickpdfmerger browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "QuickPDFMerger" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable QuickPDFMerger, look for a browser hijacker URL (hp.myway.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "Ask Web Search" when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the quickpdfmerger browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "QuickPDFMerger", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable QuickPDFMerger, remove hxxp://hp.myway.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with quickpdfmerger browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the quickpdfmerger browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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