How to remove the TopPDFSearch browser hijacker?

What is TopPDFSearch?

TopPDFSearch is a browser hijacker promoting the toppdfsearch.com fake search engine. This rogue browser extension operates by making modifications to browser settings. Hence, through these alterations - this piece of software causes redirects to toppdfsearch.com.

Additionally, TopPDFSearch has data tracking abilities, which are used to spy on users' browsing habits. Due to the questionable methods employed to distribute browser hijackers, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

TopPDFSearch browser hijacker in detail

Browser hijackers assign fake web searcher addresses as browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs. TopPDFSearch also modifies browser settings in this manner to promote its illegitimate search engine (toppdfsearch.com).

These modifications may sound minor, yet they seriously affect the browsing experience. To elaborate, with TopPDFSearch installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to toppdfsearch.com.

It is especially rare for fake web searchers to be able to generate search results, so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate search engines. This applies to toppdfsearch.com as well.

At the time of research, it redirected either (via search-checker.com) to Bing (bing.com) or searchlee.com. The latter is an illegitimate search engine, and while searchlee.com can generate search results - they are inaccurate and may endorse unreliable/malicious content.

Browser hijackers can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers. Alternatively, this software can restrict or deny access to the browser settings outright. Therefore, restoring a hijacked browser is impossible without eliminating the software affecting it.

Furthermore, most browser hijackers can track data, and TopPDFSearch is not an exception to this. Information of interest includes: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, and so on.

The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

To protect device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	TopPDFSearch
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	TopPDFSearch
Promoted URL	toppdfsearch.com
Serving IP Address (toppdfsearch.com)	172.67.146.22
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.
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.

Browser hijackers in general

Movie Stuff, SportSearchStream, GameSearchWorld, and SearchConvertersBox are some examples of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and offer various "handy" functionalities. However, the advertised features are usually nonoperational.

In fact, practically all PUAs bait users into download/installation with nonexistent functions. The sole goal of unwanted apps is to generate revenue at user expense. PUAs are designed to hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive ad campaigns (adware), and collect private data.

How did TopPDFSearch install on my computer?

Select PUAs (e.g., TopPDFSearch) have "official" promotional/download webpages. These applications are also proliferated via intrusive advertisements. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install this software without user permission.

PUAs are most commonly distributed through downloaders/installers of other products. This false marketing tactic of packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed downloads/installations (e.g., ignored terms, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is important to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled and/or harmful content.

When downloading/installing, it is highly recommended to read terms, explore and study all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out from supplementary applications, tools, functions, features, and other additions.

Intrusive adverts appear ordinary and innocuous; however, they redirect to various unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and many others).

In case of encounters with such advertisements and/or redirects, the device must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with TopPDFSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

TopPDFSearch browser hijacker asking for various permissions:

Websites promoting TopPDFSearch browser hijacker:

Appearance of toppdfsearch.com redirecting (via search-checker.com) to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Appearance of toppdfsearch.com redirecting to the searchlee.com fake search engine (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 TopPDFSearch?
• STEP 1. Uninstall TopPDFSearch application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove TopPDFSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove toppdfsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove toppdfsearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

TopPDFSearch 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, "TopPDFSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

TopPDFSearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 "TopPDFSearch" 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 "TopPDFSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.toppdfsearch.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 "toppdfsearch.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 toppdfsearch.com 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 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 "TopPDFSearch", 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 "TopPDFSearch", remove hxxp://toppdfsearch.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 toppdfsearch.com 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 toppdfsearch.com 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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