How to remove PDF Converter App from your browser and operating system

What is PDF Converter App?

PDF Converter App is one of many bogus applications that supposedly provide useful features. In fact, they promote fake search engines by changing browser settings. These apps are categorized as browser hijackers and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

PDF Converter App promotes search.pdfconverterapptab.net in this way and is installed together with Hide My Searches (also a PUA). Typically, browser hijackers change certain browser settings and gather information relating to users' browsing activity.

Most browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing browser settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. PDF Converter App assigns them to search.pdfconverterapptab.net so that users are forced to visit this URL when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Note that, if used to search, search.pdfconverterapptab.net provides results generated by Yahoo. I.e., it simply redirects users to search.yahoo.com. Therefore, search.pdfconverterapptab.net does not generate unique results and is thus fake.

To remove search.pdfconverterapptab.net from the aforementioned settings, PDF Converter App must first be uninstalled, since it prevents users from modifying the settings. Furthermore, most browser hijackers gather information such as geolocations, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, IP addresses, and other browsing data.

Developers sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Some of the shared data might contain personal, sensitive details. We advise that you uninstall all potentially unwanted apps, since they can cause problems relating to privacy, browsing safety or even lead to identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	PDF Converter App
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Detection Names	AVG (Win32:Adware-gen [Adw]), Comodo (ApplicUnwnt@#3fsqbplsb26ih), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/WinWrapper.V Potentially Unwanted), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/OpenDownloadManager), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Browser Extension(s)	PDF Converter App
Supposed Functionality	This app supposedly provides access to various online file conversion tools.
Promoted URL	search.pdfconverterapptab.net
Serving IP Address (search.pdfconverterapptab.net)	3.219.120.252
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
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.
Additional Information	PDF Converter App is distributed with another browser hijacker called Hide My Searches.
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Easy Package Tracking, Privacy Searching and Online TV Streams are examples of other apps that are categorized as browser hijackers.

These apps promote the addresses of fake search engines and collect browsing (and other) data. They are promoted as useful apps that deliver various features, however, few provide any real value. PUAs are designed only to help developers to generate revenue, and they put users at risk of various problems.

How did PDF Converter App install on my computer?

Most users end up having PUAs downloaded and/or installed when they click dubious, deceptive ads that execute certain scripts, or when developers distribute them using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". People often download and install PUAs unintentionally.

PUAs are usually included into the download/installation set-ups of regular software - related information is provided in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings. Unfortunately, many people leave these settings unchanged, thereby agreeing by default with offers to download and install unwanted programs that are included in the set-ups.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, unofficial websites and other similar channels should not be used to download or install software. Programs should be downloaded only from official websites and via direct links.

As mentioned above, offers to download or install PUAs can often be found in "Custom" or "Advanced" options of the set-ups. Therefore, check these settings carefully and change them if necessary. Intrusive advertisements displayed on dubious web pages should not be clicked, since they often lead to dubious websites or cause download/installation of PUAs.

Check for any unknown, suspicious, plug-ins, add-ons, or extensions already installed on the browser, or programs of this type installed on the operating system. Remove unwanted entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with PDF Converter App, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Website promoting PDF Converter App browser hijacker:

PDF Converter App installer:

PDF Converter App asks permission to read and change data on Chrome:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is PDF Converter App?
• STEP 1. Uninstall PDF Converter App application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove search.pdfconverterapptab.net redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove PDF Converter App browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.pdfconverterapptab.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove search.pdfconverterapptab.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

PDF Converter App 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, "PDF Converter App"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the search.pdfconverterapptab.net website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

PDF Converter App 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://search.pdfconverterapptab.net 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 "PDF Converter App".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.pdfconverterapptab.net redirect, 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 "PDF Converter App" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons (e.g., "Hide My Searches"), 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 "PDF Converter App" or "Hide My Searches", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://search.pdfconverterapptab.net or hxxps://hidemysearches.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 "hxxp://search.pdfconverterapptab.net" and "hxxp://hidemysearches.com", 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 search.pdfconverterapptab.net redirect, 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "PDF Converter App", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins (e.g., "Hide My Searches").

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 "PDF Converter App" or "Hide My Searches", remove hxxp://search.pdfconverterapptab.net or hxxp://hidemysearches.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 search.pdfconverterapptab.net redirect 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 search.pdfconverterapptab.net redirect, 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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