How to remove PDFFreeSearch browser hijacker and the redirects it causes?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is PDFFreeSearch?
PDFFreeSearch is a piece of browser-hijacking software. It promotes the pdffreesearch.com fake search engine. Additionally, due to the questionable methods used to distribute browser hijackers, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
PDFFreeSearch browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers cause redirects to promoted search engines when users open new browser tabs/windows or perform web searches via the URL bar. This is achieved by assigning their addresses (e.g., pdffreesearch.com) as browsers' default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs.
Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. Pdffreesearch.com redirects to Yahoo or nearbyme.io (possibly elsewhere). Nearbyme.io is an illegitimate search engine, and while it can generate search results - they are inaccurate and may push untrustworthy/malicious content. Browser hijackers also use persistence-ensuring techniques to stop users from recovering their browsers.
Furthermore, most browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity and collect sensitive information extracted from it (e.g., IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc.). The gathered data is monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | PDFFreeSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | PDFFreeSearch |
| Promoted URL | pdffreesearch.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. |
Browser hijackers in general
JustSearchMaps, Key Word Search, TopADSBlockSearch, and Venus Tab are some examples of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and offer "handy" features that are usually nonoperational. This is true of practically all PUAs. Instead of delivering on any promises, unwanted apps can hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns, and collect vulnerable data.
How did PDFFreeSearch install on my computer?
PUAs can be downloaded/installed alongside other programs. This tactic of packing ordinary software with various additions - is named "bundling". Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. PUAs can also have "official" promotional/download sites.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is strongly advised to research software and download it from official/verified channels. Unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other untrustworthy sources - commonly offer bundled/harmful content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore available options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from all supplements. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, yet they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., pornography, gambling, etc.).
In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this type, the system must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with PDFFreeSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of pdffreesearch.com redirecting to nearbyme.io 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is PDFFreeSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall PDFFreeSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove PDFFreeSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove pdffreesearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove pdffreesearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
PDFFreeSearch 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, "PDFFreeSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the pdffreesearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
PDFFreeSearch 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 "PDFFreeSearch" 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 "PDFFreeSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.pdffreesearch.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 "pdffreesearch.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 pdffreesearch.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 "PDFFreeSearch", 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 "PDFFreeSearch", remove hxxp://pdffreesearch.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 pdffreesearch.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 pdffreesearch.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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit pdffreesearch.com website?
Visiting pdffreesearch.com generates revenue for its designers and the developers of the browser hijackers promoting it (e.g., PDFFreeSearch).
Is visiting pdffreesearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Visiting pdffreesearch.com likely poses a threat to your privacy. Websites of this kind typically gather data about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed via misleading promotional webpages, unofficial and freeware download sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, deceptive browser notifications/ intrusive advertisements, online scams, fake updaters/installers, and so forth.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove PDFFreeSearch browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate browser-hijacking apps present. It is noteworthy that manual removal might not be an ideal solution when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. Sometimes, when one is removed - the others re-install it. Furthermore, this software can restrict/deny access to removal-related settings. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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