FreePDFCombiner (Jul 2019 update) - Improved Guide
FreePDFCombiner Removal Guide
What is FreePDFCombiner?
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.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of FreePDFCombiner. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Get rid of the browser-hijacking app from Windows operating system:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- 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.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- 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.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Clean Google Chrome from all unwanted components:
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of FreePDFCombiner registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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- ^ Margaret Rouse. Browser hijacker (browser hijacking). Search Security. Tech Target.
- ^ What is an IP Address?. IP location. About the web.
- ^ LosVirus.es. LosVirus, Cybersecurity tips.