How to uninstall GreatSearchPDF browser hijacker?

What is GreatSearchPDF browser hijacker?

GreatSearchPDF promotes a fake search engine (greatsearchpdf.com) by modifying web browser's settings and possibly collects browsing-related, or other information. Most browser hijackers are distributed using questionable or deceptive methods. Thus, users rarely download and install them intentionally.

GreatSearchPDF browser hijacker in detail

GreatSearchPDF sets default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL to greatsearchpdf.com. Greatsearchpdf.com is a fake search engine showing results from nearbyme.io, Yahoo (search.yahoo.com), and possibly some other search engines. Nearbyme.io is not a trustworthy search engine.

Nearbyme.io could promote scam websites designed to trick visitors into providing credit card details, login credentials, and other information. Also, nearbyme.io could include links to websites designed to promote other browser hijackers, adware (or other unwanted software) in its results.

Greatsearchpdf.com cannot be changed to another address while GreatSearchPDF is installed. Instructions on how to remove fake search engines from settings of hijacked browsers and apps like GreatSearchPDF are provided below. Users should remove any installed browser hijacker as soon as possible.

Threat Summary:

Name	GreatSearchPDF
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Browser Extension(s)	GreatSearchPDF
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	greatsearchpdf.com
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.

More information about GreatSearchPDF

GreatSearchPDF may be collecting visited pages, entered search queries (and other browsing data), and even personal information like names, surnames, credit card details, passwords, or other data that could be monetized in malicious ways. It is pretty similar to many other apps of this type, for example, ClickPDFSearch, MySearchConverters.

How did GreatSearchPDF install on my computer?

otentially unwanted applications are often distributed by integrating them in downloaders or installers of other programs. Users download or install PUAs when they do not check and change "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings that downloaders or installers for certain programs have.

Also, PUAs are distributed via advertisements designed to execute certain scripts and fake installers. Other distribution methods are not so popular. It is important to know that fake installers can be malicious.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Software should be downloaded from official pages and through direct links. Other sources can be used to distribute PUAs and malware. Downloaders and installers should be checked for "Custom", "Advanced" or other options, especially when programs are free. Advertisements displayed on shady websites should not be clicked.

If your computer is already infected with GreatSearchPDF, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Greatsearchpdf.com redirects to nearbyme.io (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 GreatSearchPDF?
• STEP 1. Uninstall GreatSearchPDF application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove GreatSearchPDF browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove greatsearchpdf.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove greatsearchpdf.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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

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

GreatSearchPDF 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 "GreatSearchPDF" 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 "GreatSearchPDF", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.greatsearchpdf.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 "greatsearchpdf.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 greatsearchpdf.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 "GreatSearchPDF", 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 "GreatSearchPDF", remove hxxp://greatsearchpdf.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 greatsearchpdf.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 greatsearchpdf.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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