FreePDFCombiner – a browser hijacker that tricks users by offering free file converting
FreePDFCombiner is a browser-hijacking app[1] which suggests free file converting to trick users into using this unwanted program. However, this potentially unwanted program is not as useful as it might seem to you from the first view. Once installed, the browser hijacker sets the homepage, new tab URL, and the default search engine to hp.my.way.com, and adds the FreePDFCombiner toolbar. Such program sneaks into the computer system without any user's notice, so it needs to be eliminated as soon as the first symptoms show.
| Name | FreePDFCombiner |
|---|---|
| Category | Browser hijacker |
| Sub-category | PUP |
| Browsers affected | Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc. |
| Search engine | hp.myway.com |
| “Useful” feature | Suggests free file converting |
| Removal | Download and run FortectIntego |
Free PDF Combiner virus can modify browsers such as:
- Google Chrome,
- Mozilla Firefox;
- Safari;
- Internet Explorer;
- Microsoft Edge.
Users are forced to use the new search engine called hp.myway.com each time they try to perform search queries via their infected web browser and modified default engine. Notice that such changes can be reversed only if you take care of the FreePDFCombiner removal and get rid of all unwanted extension from your browsers.
Additionally, this browser-hijacking app might redirect you to dubious-looking web pages that might include potentially dangerous content. This might lead to a secret installation even of a ransomware-type virus or Trojan infection. You need to remove FreePDFCombiner virus from your computer system and browser before such cruel and dangerous activity happens. Also, get FortectIntego to fix the damage that was done by the cyber threat.
Furthermore, FreePDFCombiner toolbar has an ability to collect various informative details that are related to the user's browsing experience and habits. Developers gather all information that includes visited pages, pictures viewed, added bookmarks, IPs[2], online sets visited, and shares it with third-parties to get revenue.
Avoid browser hijackers to keep your browsers secure
According to IT experts from LosVirus.es[3], browser hijackers often are spread through bundled freeware or shareware. To avoid such secret installation which is related to the marketing model called “bundling”, you need to select the Custom or Advanced installation mode and check out the list of incoming downloads. Deselect all dubious-looking ones.
Moreover, various rogue sites can also include PUPs such as browser-hijacking applications. Stay away from all questionable pages. However, if you have accidentally entered one – eliminate it that same minute. Additionally, perform a full system scan with a strong antivirus software to detect any threats possible.
Get rid of FreePDFCombiner virus in several easy steps
If you want to remove FreePDFCombiner virus manually, you can find such elimination instructions below the article. This method will let you refresh browsers that were infected with the browser-hijacking program including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. Perform each step carefully.
Moreover, you can carry out the FreePDFCombiner removal in an automatical way. For that, you will need to download and install an anti-malware tool that is trustworthy and expert-tested. You can choose from our suggested list which you will find below or feel free to pick a computer security tool from your own liked ones.
After you complete the automatic elimination which should take no longer than a couple of minutes, do not forget to accomplish one more step. What you need to do is refresh all web browsers that were affected by the browser-hijacking application to make sure that no PUP-related components are still active.
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.
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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