Remove PDFSearches (Removal Instructions) – Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

PDFSearches is a misleading browser hijacker and PUP that is used for traffic monetization and advertising

PDFSearches redirect virus

PDFSearches is a misleading search provider, which imitates a reliable and useful search. However, experts do not recommend switching Google or Yahoo for this search site because it's a typical browser hijacker and potentially unwanted program (PUP) that is being used by a net of marketers to gain financial profit from traffic monetization^[1] and affiliate advertising.

It is being distributed via freeware and shareware packages as “optional download” disguised under a quick installation setup. Upon infiltration, PDFSearches hijacks Chrome, Firefox, or another web browser that is set by default. For this purpose, it replaces the existing search engine with sponsored Yahoo variant and sets portal.pdf-searches.com as a start page. The same page is set as a new tab window, so even if the user attempts to perform a Google search, he or she is presented with altered Yahoo-based results.

Although it's not malicious and the term PDFSearches virus is not the best-suited for it, cybersecurity experts recommend removing it asap to prevent ongoing redirects to third-party sites and sponsored ads on any website visited. Apart from advertising, this PUP opens your browsing history to third parties and allow them to find out each step that people perform on the web.

Name	PDFSearches
Classification	Browser hijacker/Potentially Unwanted Program
Similar to	SearchConverterz SearchZone Searchaize Search-ya, etc.
Symptoms	Web browser's settings get corrupted (start page, search engine, new tab window, permissions, push notifications added, etc.). Every attempt to browse the web redirects to portal.pdf-searches.com and search.yahoo.com
Risks	Browser hijackers are not dangerous if they collaborate with trustworthy third-parties. Since it's not clear what parties this search is bound to, it's advisable not to click on any links and ads delivered due to possible exposure to malware-laden websites
Removal	Hijackers enter machines via freeware bundles (usually), so getting rid of it means a removal of all PUPs and associated tools. For this purpose, use a reliable anti-malware tool
Fixing damage	Registry entries corrupted by malware may be recovered with the help of Fortect Intego optimizer

PDFSearches virus infiltration is not a good sign. As soon as you find this extension within your web browser, you should sooner or later start to experience its side effects. Browser hijackers seek one thing – earning money from advertising and traffic boosting, so you should not expect anything useful out of them.

To put it simply, we will list all the reasons why NoVirus.uk^[2] and other experts recommend PDFSearches removal. These are the following:

The browser-based add-on is spread via free and infiltrate PCs without asking for user's permission directly;
Once installed, it relies on administrative privileges and alters web browser's settings without authorization;
Upon browser's hijack, it sets portal.pdf-searches.com or feed.pdf-searches.com as a default start page and prevents users from initiating Google search by rerouting the traffic to search.yahoo.com;
Search results feature sponsored content (links to third-party sites, ads, and banners on random sites);
Tracking cookies installed to monitor web browsing activities;
Setting Google or another preferred search engine does not help because the PDFSearches virus gets back right after the browser is re-opened;

PDFSearches push notifications

PDFSearches redirects are definitely intrusive. However, being irritating is just one side of the card. The biggest risk when clicking on any links provided by this hijacker is exposing the machine to malware-infected websites. Please note that clicking on any third-party content is at your own risk. Here's what the EULA^[3] of this search states:

You assume all responsibility and risk in connection with your use of Third Party Content and we hereby disclaim any and all liability to you or any third party in connection thereto. We have no obligation to examine, review or monitor Third Party Content and are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, appropriateness or legality of Third Party Content.

Besides questionable third-party content, ensure the security of your privacy and remove PDFSearches virus immediately, since one of its tasks is to harvest users' browsing history. With the main interest to the IP address, search queries, and websites visited, this hijacker may also collect some pieces of personal information, including your name, email address, and telephone number. This may happen if you accidentally submit any form provided via the portal.pdf-searches.com domain. This fact is clarified within the Privacy Policy^[4] section of the hijacker:

We may receive Contact Information, when you voluntarily provide us with such information, if and when you contact us for support.

People who have been looking for an answer to whether to uninstall PDFSearches extension should not postpone the process anymore. This application is not reliable and has no real value except poses a risk of being exposed to potentially dangerous websites.

PDFSearches browser hijacker

The quickest way to remove PDFSearches virus is to scan the system with a reliable anti-malware tool. No matter if you are using Windows or Mac, employ the robust security tool and make sure that you are using its latest version. Run a scan to get rid of malware and then perform a full system optimization with Fortect Intego.

Ways of spreading PUPs are way too simple

People do not expect that downloading a freeware will end up with a pack of unwanted programs installed on their machines. Usually, they think that such simple methods cannot be used for spreading malware and that the only way to get infected is to visit x-rated sites^[5].

Although there is very little chance of downloading a malicious virus on the machine alongside download manager, converter, player, reader, or whatnot, you can download several browser-based tools listed as useful add-ons and toolbars. Therefore, each time you are looking for freeware to download, select the download source carefully and opt for an extended installation setup. Usually, you should find an offer to install freeware using the Advanced or Custom installation option. To find out if the freeware carries a bundle, read the terms carefully, and deselect all additional components.

PDFSearches search site

Get rid of the PDFSearches browser hijacker

PDFSearches redirects can eventually lead to the installation of other PUPs. Using the service of PUPs, third parties often seek to spread useless optimization programs, doubtful software, games, or even malware. Therefore, do not keep it for long.

PDFSearches malware

Our security experts have submitted a comprehensive PDFSearches removal guide that is provided below. However, if you want this process to be initiated automatically, rely on a reliable anti-malware application. Besides, don't forget to optimize the system with a tool like Fortect Intego since browser hijackers have a tendency to alter Windows Registry entries or startup processes.

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.

How to remove PDFSearches

PDFSearches is a misleading browser hijacker and PUP that is used for traffic monetization and advertising

Ways of spreading PUPs are way too simple