PDFConverterSearchApp – a PUP that will force you to use a search engine of its choice

PDFConverterSearchApp is a browser hijacker that alters particular browser preferences, including the default search engine, homepage, and the new tab, in order to redirect all search traffic through a fake search site. By doing so, it can gather non-personal information and display altered search results either from Yahoo or Searchlee (which also is a shady search site).
Once PDFConverterSearchApp browser hijacker is installed on your device, every time you launch your browser or a new tab, a feed.pdfconvertersearchapp.com website will be opened. When you type something into its search window or in the URL bar, a new tab will open with search results from a totally different site and some ads inserted in them.
If you see any of these symptoms, we're glad you came to us for help. In this article, we'll explain how potentially unwanted programs[1] (PUPs) function, what are the risks of using them, how they are distributed, and of course, what are the removal options.
| name | PDFConverterSearchApp |
|---|---|
| Type | Redirect virus, PUP, browser hijacker |
| Promoted URL | feed.pdfconvertersearchapp.com |
| IP address | 172.67.162.73 |
| Altered browser settings | Homepage, new tab, default search engine |
| Distribution | Software bundles, fake Flash Player updates/installs, deceptive ads |
| Symptoms | Modified default search engine and other browser preferences, intrusive ads, slower device performance |
| Risks | Browser hijackers are capable of gathering browsing-related data and causing redirects to malicious sites. Such actions might lead to other PUP installation, privacy issues, financial losses |
| Removal | Eliminate all suspicious files and unrecognized apps by running a full system scan with a reliable anti-malware tool |
| System fix | Remove all tracking cookies and restore altered system settings and files with an all-in-one FortectIntego system tune-up tool |
Due to their stealthy installation techniques and the way they operate, browser hijackers, such as HDMusicStreamSearch, Browser Checkup for Chrome by Doctor virus, Search.assistivedata.com virus, and others are categorized as potentially unwanted programs, thus they shouldn't be used.
A couple of more reasons to convince you to eliminate PDFConverterSearchApp PUP from your computer is that it might record your browsing habits, including:
- visited sites,
- used apps,
- browser and device details,
- search inquiries,
- IP addresses,
- geolocations,
- etc.
Advertisers primarily use this collected data to present you with customized ads. Furthermore, PDFConverterSearchApp ads might redirect you to hazardous sites with explicit, inappropriate, or harmful content. PUP operators don't care where their cash flow comes from as far as it does so that they can promote various malicious sites.
If that's not enough, browser hijackers can cause redirects to these sites without you even pressing on anything. Harmful portals could try to push to install other worthless apps and draw out private details by showing various tech support scams or even downloading severe malware directly to your device. PDFConverterSearchApp is not a program that could provide any value, so make sure to get rid of it.

We hope that all this info has convinced you to remove PDFConverterSearchApp immediately. According to many user reviews, the best anti-malware tools for such a task are either SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. Scan your pc and proceed with all the recommended steps that the security tool suggests.
Afterward, you'll have to take care of the system's overall health and the tracking cookies that possible malicious websites have left on your device. Cybersecurity experts[2] highly recommend using the powerful FortectIntego system repair tool right after a successful PDFConverterSearchApp removal to take care of all system-related issues.
Believing in deceptive ads might lead to PUP infections
We've all seen ads that seem too good to be true, and in many cases, they are. Deceptive ads can be seen when visiting shady websites or if your computer or cell phone is infected with adware,[3] browser hijackers, or other PUPs. These ads can be seen as pop-ups, notifications, banners, and all other forms.
If you ever come across an ad stating that some software will boost your device's performance by a few hundred percents, increase downloading speed, or that you've been selected as a winner for some prize, please be aware that these are just tricks used to force you into visiting questionable sites.

Our research shows that in most cases, software spread through deceptive ads is useless. It will show false-positive results either for malware infections, various system issues, and alike to convince you into buying a licensed version of the worthless software. Please don't click on any ads that sound utopian.
Remove PDFConverterSearchApp virus and restore your browser settings
Potentially unwanted programs tend to advertise similar shady products, so if there's a PDFConverterSearchApp browser hijacker installed on your device, you might soon have adware and other PUP infections. Therefore, you should consider eliminating it immediately before your device is overrun with junkware.
We highly recommend using anti-malware tools to remove PDFConverterSearchApp from affected devices. You could try and uninstall it manually, but that could leave its residual components. So you're better off launching your security tool and performing a full system scan that would identify, locate, and terminate all associated files.
Once PDFConverterSearchApp removal is done, run system diagnostics with proper system repair tools to clean all tracking cookies and fix any system inconsistencies. Then use our guides below to restore altered browser settings so you could continue enjoying your device anew.
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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