SuperPDFSearch – is a PUP that shows ads as search results and redirects to fake search sites

SuperPDFSearch is a browser hijacker that redirects user search inquiries through feed.superpdfsearch.com after it changes browsers default search engine, new tab, and homepage preferences. By doing so, it is able to collect various browsing-related data and show tons of advertisements.
In most cases, people don't install apps like these willingly. Therefore, SuperPDFSearch is considered a potentially unwanted program,[1] (PUP for short) and a browser hijacker. Its promoted search site is fake as it doesn't generate any results. Once a search query is typed in and Enter is pressed, a new tab opens.
Then users, depending on their geolocation, can see glimpses of other pages that they're rerouted through until search results from legitimate websites like Google, Bing, Yahoo, are shown. But SuperPDFSearch ads are inserted in them. This PUP can be installed either as a browser extension or an application. Whatever the case is, we'll explain to you how to get rid of it.
| name | SuperPDFSearch |
|---|---|
| Type | Adware, browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP |
| IP address | 104.21.48.188 |
| Altered browser settings | Default search engine, new tab, and homepage |
| Symptoms | Modified browser settings, all searches are redirected through feed.superpdfsearch.com, ads shown in search results, slower device performance |
| Risks | PUPs can gather browsing information and share it with third-parties. Deceptive ads may cause other PUP installations |
| distribution | Deceptive ads, software bundles, fake installers/updaters |
| removal | Get rid of the PUP with professional anti-malware tools. If the redirects continue, refer to our instructions below on how to reset your browsers |
| System fix | Repair corrupted system files and clean up your device with the FortectIntego system tune-up tool |
There's more than one reason why people wouldn't want to install and use a browser hijacker. First of all, SuperPDFSearch ads are shown in altered search results or as recommended searches. These ads may lead to questionable portals where users could be tricked into installing additional PUPs.
Second, all search results are coming not from a search engine of your choice but from the one that the PUP appoints. And lastly, SuperPDFSearch browser hijacker is capable of collecting browser habits, and its operators might share this data with third-parties. The gathered data may include:
- browser details,
- device info,
- search inquiries,
- clicked links,
- visited sites,
- IP addresses,
- geolocations, etc.
Due to all of this, if you were tricked into installing this PUP or it got on your system unknowingly, it's time to get rid of it. Like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, trustworthy anti-malware tools should be used to remove SuperPDFSearch from your device automatically. Open the security tool, perform a full system scan, and eliminate all suspicious files.
Users might have to finish SuperPDFSearch removal manually. We've added detailed instructions at the bottom of the page on eliminating this PUP from Safari, Chrome, and other browsers. Afterward, experts[2] advise performing a system optimization with the FortectIntego tool to ensure that no system files or settings were affected.

Browser hijackers are most commonly spread with bundled software
Browser hijackers, such as CoolStreamSearch virus, Fastcaptchasolver.com virus, SearchConverterPro virus, and others, aren't as dangerous as Trojans,[3] ransomware, and other malware. They're categorized as potentially unwanted programs because people usually install them unknowingly but with indirect consent.
This happens when a software or freeware bundle is installed with Recommended or Standard mode. The trick is that all bundle applications, including any PUPs, like adware or browser hijackers, are preselected for installation. Therefore, users should stay cautious when getting such software.
You can evade PUPs from bundles in two ways. Either download all desired applications directly from their developers, or if you desperately want an app that comes in a pack, choose the Advanced/Custom installation mode. Then go step-by-step, removing ticks from preselected boxes of software you had no idea will be installed, don't want, and don't trust.
SuperPDFSearch removal instructions from devices and affected browsers
SuperPDFSearch virus could infect both computers and cell phones. It can be installed either as a browser extension or as an application. Whatever the case may be, we're here to help you. First of all, open your security tool. If you don't have one, it's time to get one so you could browse the internet safely.
Pick the full system scan and wait until it's finished. Then choose SuperPDFSearch removal along with other potentially unwanted programs or unknown files. Afterward, run a system repair with appropriate tools to make sure no core system files or settings were affected, as that may lead to crashing, freezing, lag, and other system issues.
If you're still redirected through the fake search site and see the altered search results, you'll have to remove SuperPDFSearch from your used browsers manually. That will take just a few minutes if you follow our directions posted below this paragraph.
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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