How to eliminate WebSearchPDF browser hijacker and the redirects it causes?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is WebSearchPDF?
WebSearchPDF is a browser hijacker that modifies browsers to promote the websearchpdf.com fake search engine. Due to the questionable methods used to distribute products of this kind, they are also considered to be PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
WebSearchPDF browser hijacker overview
WebSearchPDF assigns websearchpdf.com as browsers' default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs. Therefore, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to this address.
Fraudulent web searchers usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate search engines. Websearchpdf.com redirects to Yahoo or the nearbyme.io fake search engine (possibly others). While nearbyme.io can generate search results, they are inaccurate and may endorse untrustworthy/malicious content.
Furthermore, this software uses persistence-ensuring tactics to stop users from recovering their browsers. Most browser hijackers record users' browsing activity and gather vulnerable data extracted from it (e.g., IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc.). The collected data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties. To summarize, data-tracking software can cause serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | WebSearchPDF |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | WebSearchPDF |
| Promoted URL | websearchpdf.com |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| 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
TopAdblockSearch, MapsCheckerSearch, and JustAdblockSearch are a couple examples of browser hijackers. They look legitimate and offer "handy" functionalities, which are typically nonoperational. This applies to nearly all PUAs. Instead of delivering on any promises, unwanted applications can hijack browsers, force-open dubious/malicious sites, run intrusive ad campaigns (adware), and gather private data.
How did WebSearchPDF install on my computer?
PUAs are spread using the "bundling" marketing method - packing regular programs with various supplements. Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device. Some PUAs also have "official" promotional/download pages. Intrusive advertisements are used to distribute these apps as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to always research software and download it from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled content.
Download/Installation processes have to be treated with care; that includes - reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out from all additions. Intrusive advertisements appear harmless, yet they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the device must be checked and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with WebSearchPDF, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of websearchpdf.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 WebSearchPDF?
- STEP 1. Uninstall WebSearchPDF application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove WebSearchPDF browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove websearchpdf.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove websearchpdf.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
WebSearchPDF 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, "WebSearchPDF"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the websearchpdf.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
WebSearchPDF 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 "WebSearchPDF" 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 "WebSearchPDF", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.websearchpdf.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 "websearchpdf.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 websearchpdf.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 "WebSearchPDF", 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 "WebSearchPDF", remove hxxp://websearchpdf.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 websearchpdf.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 websearchpdf.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 websearchpdf.com website?
Revenue is generated through visits to websites like websearchpdf.com. Fake search engine and browser hijacker developers profit via these redirects.
Is visiting websearchpdf.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Sites like websearchpdf.com usually collect data about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are proliferated using software bundling, misleading promotional webpages, unofficial and free file-hosting sites, deceptive intrusive ads/ browser notifications, online scams, and so on.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove WebSearchPDF browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating browser-hijacking apps present. However, manual removal might not be a perfect solution when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In some cases, even after one browser hijacker is (manually) uninstalled - the other re-install it. Additionally, some removal-related settings cannot be modified whilst this software is present. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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