PDF Mac Master – a potentially unwanted app that offers PDF converting function, but also injects intrusive ads

PDF Mac Master is another deceptive ad-supported program that uses its “useful features” to trick gullible users. This one offers to manage and view PDF files[1] on Mac computers, although a Windows version is also available. The app belongs to a widespread adware family known as Install Core – its versions are known to be spread via software bundles and spam users with sales coupons, banners, pop-ups, deals, offers, and other ads.
To make matters worse, the so-called PDF Mac Master virus might be difficult to eliminate in a regular way, as it might place login items or establish new profiles on the macOS. In the background, the application would record users' online behavior in order to produce targeted advertisements, increasing profits for the developers.
| Name | PDF Mac Master |
|---|---|
| Category | Potentially unwanted program, Mac virus |
| Sub-category | Adware, otherwise known as ad-supported software |
| Family | Install Core adware |
| Targeted systems | macOS/Mac OS X, although Windows version is also available |
| Functionality | Allows viewing and editing PDFs on Macs |
| Deceptive features |
|
| Distribution | Bundled freeware or shareware, questionable websites |
| Removal | You can get rid of unwanted applications manually by following our manual guide below. If you struggle with manual process, you can always employ powerful anti-malware such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes and then perform a full system scan |
| Optimization | If your system still runs slow or worse after you terminate all the unwanted programs and malware, you can employ automatic repair tools to increase its performance – we recommend using FortectIntego |
You might have encountered PDF Mac Master on its original website, or maybe it came from the Internet without permission. In most cases, the app can be seen on most popular third-party software distribution websites, although it is not the tool users come for. Instead, PDF Mac Master comes as an optional component within a single application package, resulting in unintentional installation.
However, no matter how the infiltration happened, once this program is installed on a user's computer, it launches automatically. Afterward, the unwanted app will perform unwanted activities, such as display annoying advertising and redirect to ad-filled and suspicious sites.
There is a big chance that your computer screen will always be overloaded with intrusive pop-ups and pop-unders unless you perform the PDF Mac Master removal. Frequent advertising might start interrupting your browsing activity and even slowing down Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or whatever another browser you are using. Besides, since the app injects ads into search results, you might struggle to find relevant information as you used to, and instead would visit sponsored sites that directly benefit the app's creators.

Nevertheless, PDF Mac Master adware might redirect you to different websites some of which might even include hazardous content. Usually, redirects will take you to pages such as:
- Websites that advertise tech support scams or fake system optimizers;
- Phishing sites that might include virus-related content;
- Pages that are promoted by developers and advertise dubious products, services, etc.
Due to all beforementioned reasons, we recommend you remove PDF Mac Master from your computer system and clean web browsers that were affected by it. You can complete the process by installing reliable anti-malware tools and fixing the damage by using FortectIntego or similar programs. However, you can feel free to look through the manual removal – you can find steps displayed below this article.
Precautionary measures are necessary if wanting to avoid adware infections
According to IT researchers from LosVirus.es site[3], potentially unwanted programs, including adware-related ones, have more than one distribution technique. These methods are:
- Bundling. When a PUP installs secretly with regular software from the web;
- Rogue sites. When you accidentally start the installation of a PUP by clicking on a link on a dubious website;
- Original downloading websites. Some ad-supported programs have their own pages where users can download the PUP by themselves.
To avoid adware[4], you need to choose the Advanced installation option and regularly check all incoming downloads. Moreover, you have to stay away from all dubious websites as far as possible and not click on any questionable content you overcome on the Internet. Finally, be careful if you have entered an adware-promoted website. Better close it and try not to get tricked by its promising look.

Delete PDF Mac Master adware
If you have been recently experiencing annoying advertising posts and decided to remove PDF Mac Master virus, you will need to perform some actions on your own or lean on anti-malware automatical elimination tools. For the first one it is necessary to get rid of all adware-added browser extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons. However, the second one is less difficult and does not require that much effort.
After you take care of the PDF Mac Master removal, make sure you reset all web browsers that were infected by the potentially unwanted program. Do not forget the precautionary measures that you have read in this article as it is very important to know how to protect your computer system and its components from similar secret adware infiltration in the future.
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.

Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment