Compresspdfsearch.com – the search engine that might hide sponsored links in the results page
Compresspdfsearch.com is a suspicious search engine created by Hopebest Inc. It’s not the first program created by this company. However, all search tools are defined as browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).
The main reasons why security experts called this tool as PUP are:
- questionable distribution method that is known as “bundling;”
- alteration of Windows Registry, shortcuts and browsers’ settings;
- replacement of default homepage and search engine to Compresspdfsearch.com;
- delivery of ads and other sponsored content;
- data tracking.
This search tool has an additional feature that allows compressing PDF files from the main page. However, the program does not complete it’s primary function properly. According to the research results, this search tool might alter search results and replace organic links with paid links.[1]
The main purpose of the Compresspdfsearch.com virus is generating advertising-based revenue for the developers. Thus, when this program is installed on Chrome, Firefox, IE or another browser, it starts providing numerous online ads, pop-ups, banners or even redirecting to promotional websites.
The biggest problems are that sponsored links might be hidden in the search results page and lead to potentially dangerous websites. Compresspdfsearch.com redirect issues are concerning. Thus, in order to avoid meeting with cyber criminals and malware, you should stay away from ads and do not use this tool in general.
However, Compresspdfsearch.com removal might be complicated due to hijacker’s ability to make modifications to the system. It is designed to protect itself and prevent users from setting their preferred search provider. Thus, in order to get rid of this program, users are advised to use FortectIntego or another anti-malware.
Manual elimination is also possible. However, our colleagues from SenzaVirus[2] noticed that users often make mistakes and leave some of the hijacker-related components installed. Usually, they forget to reset hijacked web browsers. As a result, cookies and other publisher’s or affiliate’s tracking technologies continue spying on user’s activities online.
Indeed, the Privacy Policy states that the search engine collects some information about users, including IP address, visited websites, search history and keywords, and similar information. However, developers are collaborating with advertising companies and networks. Thus, unknown third-parties might be collecting various information about you as well.
Thus, you need to remove Compresspdfsearch.com to protect your privacy[3] and avoid the attack of aggressive and annoying commercial content. The instructions below will show you how to delete tracking cookies and other virus-related components manually.
Bundling helps to install the hijacker to computers silently
Authors of the hijacker rely on the popular distribution method of PUPs – bundling. It’s software marketing technique that allows spreading the hijacker with the help of various programs that you can download from the Internet.
The PUP is added as an optional component in the software package. It is hidden under Quick or Recommended settings that do not openly disclose about the installation of the third-party software. Thus, when users install new programs under these settings, they might encounter Compresspdfsearch.com hijack.
To avoid infiltration of this search tool and many other undesired applications, you should get used to install software using Advanced/Custom setup and pay attention to each of the installation steps. These settings might show the list of additional third-party programs. Typically they are pre-selected; thus, you need to untick them in order to stop their installation.
Remove Compresspdfsearch.com virus from the computer and web browsers
As we have mentioned at the beginning of the article, you can remove Compresspdfsearch.com either manually or automatically. Automatic elimination option is simpler and requires scanning the system with anti-malware program.
However, if you are interested in manual elimination option, you should check the instructions below. They will guide you through Compresspdfsearch.com removal and show you what you need to do to clean up all hijacker-related components.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.
Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).
Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.
Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.
Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
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