YouPDFSearch extension changes the browser settings to monetize user activity
YouPDFSearch is a browser hijacker that can change the main settings, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. It forces people to use only selected channels for browsing which raises many user privacy and security concerns. Crooks can also use rogue advertising networks[1] that place ads leading to dangerous websites.
Although browser hijackers themselves are considered to be mild infections, they can lead to other more serious issues. When affected by a hijacker, people can end up on scam pages that try to trick them into providing personal information, downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),[2] and malware.
| NAME | YouPDFSearch |
| TYPE | Browser hijacker; potentially unwanted program |
| SYMPTOMS | An extension is added to the browser; homepage and new tab address altered; a different search engine is implemented; sponsored links displayed in the results |
| DISTRIBUTION | Shady websites, deceptive ads, freeware installations |
| DANGERS | Inaccurate search results, sponsored links can lead to dangerous pages that want to get users personal information |
| ELIMINATION | You can remove an extension via browser settings or by deploying professional security software |
| FURTHER STEPS | After elimination is complete, clean your web browsers and repair system files. You can do that automatically with FortectIntego |
Browser hijackers in detail
Hijackers are mostly useless browser extensions that do not provide any valuable functions. It is rare for users to find these kinds of apps on their own. Most of the time they are spread on questionable websites full of deceptive ads and sneaky redirects. Often users add them accidentally without even noticing. Most people think that they care a lot about online safety, but when it actually comes to preserving it, few take precautionary steps.
Avoid clicking on random links and buttons. Be careful of illegal streaming platforms[3] and fake “Download” and “Play” buttons. They usually open new tabs with fake download pages that can infect you with adware, hijackers, or other types of PUPs. Go to websites that you know and trust.
However, YouPDFSearch could have appeared in your browser without your knowledge. This could have happened if you recently installed apps from freeware[4] distribution platforms. They include additional programs in the installers that monetize user activity. That is why it is important to use only official web stores and developer websites.
Apps that get listed on digital marketplaces have to go through an extensive review process. However, you should still do your research – read the reviews, look at the ratings, and the number of users. Choose those applications that have plenty of positive feedback and thousands of users.
Protect your privacy
If you go to the Privacy Policy of YouPDFSearch you will find an extensive list of things that it keeps track of. Some of those include your IP address and Internet usage data. The add-on can also gather various information with the help of cookies.[5] It can be later sold to advertising networks or other third parties.
That is why we suggest having an optimization tool like FortectIntego in your machine that can clear your browsers automatically. Besides that, the application can fix corrupted files and serious system errors so it has a lot of benefits.
How to get rid of intruders from browsers?
Generally, browser extensions are created to provide users some benefits, like mask the location, block ads, and suspicious links, or automatically find discount coupons while shopping online. People add them when they see promotions and good reviews.
However, YouPDFSearch does not seem to provide any benefits. You can remove browser add-ons by going to your settings. Find the list of extensions installed in your browser and remove any suspicious ones. We show how to do that in the guide below:
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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- 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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Check your system for PUPs
If the previous removal method did not get rid of the hijacker, that means that you might have a PUA installed in your system. In this case, if you try to change the homepage or other settings to the way they were before, or remove the add-on, the PUP will just keep messing up with the settings until it is eliminated from the machine.
Most often users download PUPs from unofficial pages that distribute freeware. To avoid this, next time go through all the installation steps. Choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation method, read the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy. Most importantly, check the files up for installation. If you see any suspicious apps that look totally unrelated, untick the boxes next to their names.
The program that is causing settings changes could have any name or icon, so if you are not sure what to do and you do not want to risk deleting the wrong files, we suggest using SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes anti-malware tools that will scan your machine, eliminate it, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a PUP can make any changes. If manual removal is what you still prefer, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:
Windows 10/8:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Mac:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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