How to remove the PDFConverterSearchZone browser hijacker?

What is PDFConverterSearchZone?

PDFConverterSearchZone is a rogue browser extension that promotes the pdfconvertersearchzone.com fake search engine. Due to this, it is classified as a browser hijacker and a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).

PDFConverterSearchZone browser hijacker in detail

PDFConverterSearchZone reassigns browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine ULRs - to pdfconvertersearchzone.com. Hence, every new browser tab/window opened and web search done via the URL bar - redirect to this search engine.

Fraudulent web searchers typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate ones. Pdfconvertersearchzone.com is not an exception to this; it redirects both to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) and the searchlee.com fake search engine (possibly others). While searchlee.com can generate search results, they are inaccurate and may endorse untrustworthy/malicious sites.

Browser hijackers also use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from restoring their browsers. Furthermore, PDFConverterSearchZone likely spies on users' browsing activity. Information of interest includes: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can result in severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	PDFConverterSearchZone
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	PDFConverterSearchZone
Promoted URL	pdfconvertersearchzone.com
Serving IP Address (pdfconvertersearchzone.com)	104.21.75.110
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

SportSearchly, SearchPDFConverters, and GreatSearchPDF are a few examples of browser hijackers. Despite its legitimate and useful appearance, this software is typically nonoperational. This applies to nearly all PUAs. Instead of delivering in any promises, unwanted apps can hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collect vulnerable data.

How did PDFConverterSearchZone install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed using the "bundling" marketing method - packing regular software with unwanted/malicious additions. Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive adverts are used to spread PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. Some PUAs may also have "official" download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software and download only from official/verified channels. Untrustworthy sources, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from all supplements. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate; however, they redirect to dubious websites (e.g., pornography, gambling, adult-dating, etc.).

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

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

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

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

PDFConverterSearchZone 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 "PDFConverterSearchZone" 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 "PDFConverterSearchZone", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.pdfconvertersearchzone.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 "pdfconvertersearchzone.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 pdfconvertersearchzone.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 "PDFConverterSearchZone", 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 "PDFConverterSearchZone", remove hxxp://pdfconvertersearchzone.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 pdfconvertersearchzone.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 pdfconvertersearchzone.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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