Removing the QuickPDFConverterSearch browser-hijacking extension

What is QuickPDFConverterSearch?

While inspecting dubious download sources, our research team discovered the QuickPDFConverterSearch browser extension. After analyzing it, we learned that it operates as a browser hijacker promoting the quickpdfconvertersearch.com fake search engine.

QuickPDFConverterSearch browser hijacker overview

Following successful installation onto our test machine, QuickPDFConverterSearch assigned quickpdfconvertersearch.com as the browser's homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs. When we opened a new browser tab/window or performed a Web search via the URL bar - it resulted in a redirect to the quickpdfconvertersearch.com site.

Fraudulent search engines cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. This applies to quickpdfconvertersearch.com as well. We observed it redirecting to Yahoo and the nearbyme.io fake search engine. While the latter (nearbyme.io) can provide search results - they are inaccurate and may promote untrustworthy/malicious content.

It is noteworthy that where quickpdfconvertersearch.com lands might differ - since redirects can be determined by various factors like user geolocation.

Furthermore, like most browser hijackers, QuickPDFConverterSearch employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers. This is also true of data tracking abilities, which QuickPDFConverterSearch has.

Browser-hijacking software typically targets: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, credit card numbers, etc. The gathered information is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of software like QuickPDFConverterSearch on devices - can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	QuickPDFConverterSearch
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	QuickPDFConverterSearch
Promoted URL	quickpdfconvertersearch.com
Detection Names (quickpdfconvertersearch.com)	Heimdal Security (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (quickpdfconvertersearch.com)	104.21.65.245
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 hijacker examples

We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; BestSportSearches, GetSearchStreams, and BestMapSearch are just a couple of examples. This software usually appears legitimate and offers "useful" and "advantageous" functions. However, these functionalities rarely work as advertised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

How did QuickPDFConverterSearch install on my computer?

We acquired QuickPDFConverterSearch from a dubious download webpage. Browser hijackers are commonly distributed through misleading promotional pages and scam websites. Most users typically enter such webpages via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software is also spread using the "bundling" marketing technique - packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. Additionally, installation must be approached with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplements.

We also advise exercising caution when browsing - since fraudulent and malicious material usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements appear harmless yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you experience such adverts and/or redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with QuickPDFConverterSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by QuickPDFConverterSearch browser hijacker:

Websites used to promote QuickPDFConverterSearch browser hijacker:

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

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

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

QuickPDFConverterSearch 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 "QuickPDFConverterSearch" 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 "QuickPDFConverterSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.quickpdfconvertersearch.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 "quickpdfconvertersearch.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 quickpdfconvertersearch.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 "QuickPDFConverterSearch", 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 "QuickPDFConverterSearch", remove hxxp://quickpdfconvertersearch.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 quickpdfconvertersearch.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 quickpdfconvertersearch.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 quickpdfconvertersearch.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., the developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue through redirects to websites like quickpdfconvertersearch.com.

Is visiting quickpdfconvertersearch.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like quickpdfconvertersearch.com typically collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily proliferated via misleading promotional sites, software bundling, freeware and third-party download websites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove QuickPDFConverterSearch browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective when browser hijackers have infiltrated the system in a bundle (multiples). Since in some cases, once a browser hijacker is removed - the others simply re-install it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be inaccessible or user-made changes automatically undone - with this software present. Therefore, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.

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