How to remove Combinepdfsearch.com virus

Combinepdfsearch.com – a redirect virus causing tons of problem to its victims

Combinepdfsearch.com is a deceptive search engine developed by Hopebest Inc. Media. It can replace your homepage all of a sudden because it is promoted via a browser-hijacking program^[1]. On the main page, there is a tool that allows merging PDF files; however, it might be the one and only useful feature provided by that site.

The search site itself is associated with potentially unwanted programs (PUP). Not surprisingly, cybersecurity experts recommend removing it from the system without any hesitations. For a successful removal, we recommend using instructions we provide or anti-malware software^[2].

name	Combinepdfsearch.com virus
Type	Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
Symptoms	Altered search provider along with other browser settings; diminished device performance; redirects to untrustworthy pages
Risks	Privacy issues, installation of additional PUPs, malware infections
Distribution	Fake Flash Player updates, deceptive ads, software bundling
Elimination	Use our guides below to remove the program manually, or scan your device with reliable AV software for an automatic removal
System health	Take care of the overall health of your device by performing system diagnostics with the Fortect Intego software

The primary purpose of a browser hijacker is to conceal itself on the victim’s computer and control one’s search and browsing experience the entire time. The article's culprit replaces the homepage with Combinepdfsearch.com and also adds this URL to the default search setting.

Consequently, the victim has to visit this search site on a daily basis without requesting to do so. The worst thing and the main reason why we recommend you not to use it is its ability to serve modified search results. Instead of serving organic and relevant results that respond to one’s search queries, this hijacker replaces them with ads.

Consequently, clicking on them triggers a redirect to affiliate websites that may be full of vague content. Inattentive behavior during web browsing sessions, especially when using such bogus search engines, can lead to unpleasant consequences – even a computer infection.

For this reason, we want to remind you to stay away from scam surveys, suspicious suggestions to install software recommended by God knows who, or pages that require entering your private information. Remember that revealing your email address on the wrong website can cause you a lot of problems, too – you can start receiving myriads of spam, which is known to be the primary ransomware attack vector.

Thus you should remove Combinepdfsearch.com and any associated software immediately. The best way to do this is to scan your infected device with a reliable security tool such as Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, SpyHunter Combo Cleaner, or similar. Then use our guides below to reset your browsers. And lastly, perform system diagnostics with the Fortect Intego to ensure that your device doesn't crash, freeze, or exhibit any other odd behavior.

Find out how browser hijackers spread to avoid them

Speaking of distribution methods, browser hijackers are no different than other potentially unwanted programs. They are primarily promoted using software bundling, a technique that allows adding a couple of unwanted programs to well-known freeware.

This technique, combined with users' “Next>Next>Agree>Install>Finish” software installation approach, guarantees a successful spyware installation on target computers. In most cases, users do not even notice the potentially unwanted programs until these start bothering them with a daily dose of ads or URL redirects.

To avoid installing unwanted software, we recommend choosing the Custom or Advanced method for software installation. Either one or another option (whichever is available) allows you to deselect additional programs bundled with your preferable software. Proceed with the installation only after decomposing the software pack.

Remove Combinepdfsearch.com and related spyware from your computer

To increase the security of your PC, remove Combinepdfsearch.com virus from it. It is highly recommended to use anti-malware programs for its removal, although you can carry out the same task manually. You will need to find all files, settings, and programs related to the hijacker to complete the removal.

The instructions we prepared should help you to delete all of them with ease. If you cannot remove the program, consider using an automatic spyware removal tool to ease the task. In case you need our help, submit your question via the “Ask Us” page.

According to research, this hijacker has affected quite a lot of French-speaking computer users. In case you're looking for comprehensive malware removal instructions in the French language, consider visiting the lesvirus.fr site^[3].

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.

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