How to remove applications that promote pdfsearchhouse.com

What is pdfsearchhouse.com?

pdfsearchhouse.com is the address of a fake search engine which is promoted through a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker.

Typically, fake search engines are promoted by changing certain browser settings. Additionally, apps of this type often collect user-system information relating to browsing activities. Browser hijackers are categorized as PUAs, since people often download and install them unintentionally.

Generally, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by assigning their addresses as the URL of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. In this case, the settings are assigned to pdfsearchhouse.com. Apps of this type ensure that users are forced to visit a specific address when they open a browser (new window), new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Fake search engines do not generate unique results and, when used, simply display those generated by other, legitimate search engines. Note that pdfsearchhouse.com displays results generated by Yahoo by redirecting to search.yahoo.com.

Generally, users of hijacked browsers cannot remove addresses such as pdfsearchhouse.com from the aforementioned settings without having to uninstall the browser hijackers that originally assigned them. Browser hijackers often prevent users from modifying these settings as long as they are installed.

They can also track information relating to users' browsing habits. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, etc., however, many PUAs also record personal, sensitive information. The data is sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) and/or misused to generate revenue in other ways.

Browser hijackers can be the reason behind identity theft, problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety or other issues. If an app designed to promote pdfsearchhouse.com (or some other fake search engine) is installed on the browser and/or computer, remove it immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	pdfsearchhouse.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Supposed Functionality	Fake search engines supposedly function like legitimate sites.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Serving IP Address	104.24.124.155
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. ▼ 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.

More examples of fake search engines that are promoted through browser hijackers include ossearch.online, cosappzsearch.online and myappsclub.net.

Browser hijackers are often advertised as useful and legitimate apps. They supposedly improve the browsing experience, include various features, etc., however, most are useless and simply cause problems.

How did pdfsearchhouse.com install on my computer?

In many cases, users download and install PUAs through deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts, or together with other (usually free) programs. In the latter case, this happens when PUAs are included into the download/installation set-ups as 'additional offers'.

This distribution method is called "bundling". Typically, information about additionally-included apps is provided in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the set-ups. When users download and install programs without checking and changing these settings, they allow additional PUAs to be downloaded and installed as well.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Software should not be downloaded or installed through third party downloaders or installers. Channels such as Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients), unofficial pages, free file hosting pages should also be avoided. You are advised to download all software only from official websites and through direct links.

Furthermore, set-ups that contain settings such as "Custom", "Advanced" should be checked for offers to download or install unwanted software. Decline these offers before completing the download/installation process. Intrusive ads that appear on dubious websites often open untrusted sites, and some can cause download/installation of unwanted apps.

For these reasons you are advised against clicking these ads. Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons that are installed on the browser, and programs of this kind from the computer. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.

pdfsearchhouse.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

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 pdfsearchhouse.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove pdfsearchhouse.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove pdfsearchhouse.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove pdfsearchhouse.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove pdfsearchhouse.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

pdfsearchhouse.com redirect 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

pdfsearchhouse.com redirect 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://pdfsearchhouse.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 "pdfsearchhouse.com".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the pdfsearchhouse.com 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 all 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, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.pdfsearchhouse.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 "pdfsearchhouse.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 pdfsearchhouse.com 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 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 all 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 remove hxxp://pdfsearchhouse.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 pdfsearchhouse.com 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 pdfsearchhouse.com 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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