DocToPDFConverter Adware

What is DocToPDFConverter?

Developed by Mindspark Interactive Network Inc, DocToPDFConverter is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to enable file format conversion. Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that DocToPDFConverter is categorized as adware.

The developers of this rogue application employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install DocToPDFConverter on Internet browsers without users' permission.

Bundling is a way to stealthily distribute applications together with other software, and therefore, most users inadvertently install DocToPDFConverter during download of software from freeware download websites.

After successful infiltration on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox), DocToPDFConverter delivers various intrusive online advertisements that include (but are not limited to) banner, interstitial, in-text, transitional, pop-up, and pop-under ads.

It is highly probable that clicking advertisements generated by this rogue application will cause further high-risk adware or malware infections. In addition, users' Internet browsing activity is continually tracked, since this dubious application records various software and hardware information that is likely to be personally identifiable.

For example: browser type and data (search queries entered, website URLs visited, pages viewed, cookies), installed applications and devices connected to the computer, language settings, IP addresses (to determine geo-locations), and other similar data.

This information tracking may result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall DocToPDFConverter from your Internet browsers.

There are many rogue applications similar to DocToPDFConverter. Some examples are ReferenceBoss, Video Converter, DiscountCow, and RR Savings among many others.

None of these extensions (including DocToPDFConverter) provide any significant value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by delivering intrusive online ads and sharing collected data with third parties.

Close examination of this PUP reveals that it is mostly distributed via small download programs (called 'installers', 'download clients', 'download managers', etc.) used by freeware download websites including soft32.com, softonic.com, and download.com.

Download programs are used by these websites as free services and traffic monetization tools, since they offer installation of promoted (according to the developers, '100% virus-free') browser extensions together with the chosen free software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

Installation of DocToPDFConverter, or other similar adware, can be avoided by closely observing each step of the free software download procedure and clicking 'Decline' if installation of any additional applications is offered.

Furthermore, all programs downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Regular' - this option will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them.

If your computer is infected with DocToPDFConverter, and you see intrusive online ads while surfing the Internet, read the following removal guide and uninstall this adware from your Internet browsers.

Potentially unwanted programs generating pop-up ads that promote installation of DocToPDF adware:

Deceptive free software installers used in DocToPDFConverter adware distribution:

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Quick menu:

• What is DocToPDFConverter?
• STEP 1. Uninstall DocToPDFConverter application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove DocToPDFConverter adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove DocToPDFConverter ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by DocToPDFConverter' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove DocToPDFConverter extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

DocToPDFConverter adware 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 "DocToPDFConverter", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes DocToPDFConverter ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove DocToPDFConverter adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "DocToPDFConverter", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by doctopdfconverter, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: "DocToPDFConverter", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by doctopdfconverter, 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "DocToPDFConverter".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by doctopdfconverter 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by doctopdfconverter, 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:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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