Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com is a browser hijacker that exposes users to invasive advertisement
Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com is a potentially unwanted program[1] (PUP) which is distributed via bundling. As a result, it can appear on your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or other web browser out of nowhere. Additionally, Your Free PDF Converter Now changes browser settings without permission and starts redirecting its victim to sponsored websites. Once you spot such unwanted activity on your browser, make sure you leave website you were redirected to and run a full system scan with your antivirus.
| Name | Your Free PDF Converter Now |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Danger Level | Low |
| Main threats | Potentially leaked personal data and malware infections |
| Distribution | Software bundling |
| Symptoms | Altered browser settings, intrusive ads, redirects, slow browser, etc. |
| Elimination | Uninstall unwanted programs by installing Reimage and performing full system scan |
Soon after Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com shows up on the system, you might notice several icons covering your homepage. As the browser extension name suggests (Your Free PDF Converter Now) – it offers you free links to various domains that can help with file conversion. However, do not get tricked by this functionality. This questionable app is hiding much more than you think.
A hijacked browser might perform the following:
- Set homepage, new tab URL and search engine to hxxp://search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com/
- Modify shortcuts on desktop or within the browser;
- Prevent victims from returning to original search engine and homepage;
- Add additional favorites/bookmarks;
- Display invasive ads in various forms;
- Redirect users to suspicious realms;
- Install additional components or more PUPs without permission;
- Slow down computer speed;
- Track certain information.
PUP authors do not care and are not responsible for the content they associate you to. Therefore, links provided by this questionable application might lead victims to potentially dangerous websites that spread malware.[2] Thus, close down your browser and remove Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com as soon as you notice such redirects.
Despite developers’ promises of “enhanced” browsing experience, users have to deal with the opposite – a massive amount of ads which cover up the legitimate content of websites. Additionally, search results are altered, and sponsors’ content is promoted. Hence, browsing experience can become a real nightmare.
By compromising users’ browsing experience, the developers of a hijacker profit as pay-per-click revenue is generated. Some ads might seem genuine and attractive, while most will be directing users to questionable retailers. This way, Your Free PDF Converter Now are trying to boost sponsored sites’ traffic and make users buy products or services from them.
The information tracking is quite common amongst browser hijackers. While it is a legitimate practice, we think that the users should be informed that their search queries, sites visited, ads clicked, IP address and similar data is continually monitored and potentially shared with third-parties. Therefore, make sure you review Privacy Policy of every application.
However, because Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com virus typically invades machines without permission, victims do not get the change to review these policies properly. We believe that this behavior is somewhat unfair.
If you want to use online file converters – find one which is legitimate and does not hijack your browser. There is no need to endanger your machine and certain information in exchange for few links on the main page. Instead, download and install Reimage and perform a full Your Free PDF Converter Now removal.
Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once 'Quick Access Menu' shows up, select 'Control Panel' and 'Uninstall a Program'.
Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
Right click on browsers' icon and select 'Properties'
Select 'Shortcut' tab and delete 'http://isearch.babylon.com...' or other suspicious URL
Cick 'Go' and select 'Applications'
Click on every malicious entry and select 'Move to Trash'
Click on menu icon and select 'Manage add-ons'
Right click on each of malicious entries and select 'Disable'
Delete malicious URL, enter your desired domain name and click 'Apply' to save changes
Go to 'Advanced' tab and click on 'Reset' button. Now select 'Delete personal settings' and click on 'Reset' button again
Go to Settings and select 'Choose what to clear'
Select 'Clear' button
Open the start menu and select 'Task Manager'
Right-click 'Microsoft Edge' and select 'Go to details'
Select 'More details' if 'Go to details' option fails to show up
Find Microsoft Edge entries and select 'End Task'
Go to Microsoft Edge folder on your computer, right-click every entry and click 'Delete'
Find Windows PowerShell, right-click it and select 'Run as administrator'
Copy and paste a required command and press 'Enter'
Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
When in 'General' tab, delete malicious URL from 'Home Page' section or click on 'Restore to Default' button. Click 'OK' to save changes
Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times
Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
After clicking on menu and 'Settings', select 'Set pages'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
When in 'General', delete malicious URL and enter your desired domain name
Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
Select all options and click on 'Reset' button
Install free programs correctly and avoid PUPs
Distribution methods of unwanted programs are typically unknown to most users. Usually, they think that PUPs simply enter their machines out of nowhere. Fortunately, it is not how it works, and dubious applications invade users machines after acquiring permission form them. Nevertheless, users often miss the process and accept terms without looking.
When installing free software, check Terms and Conditions. Then, proceed with the installation process and when prompted choose Advanced/Custom settings instead of Recommended/Quick ones. The latter does not disclose full lineup of programs that are about to be installed. Thus, while in Advanced mode, de-select any tick marks by add-ons, toolbars, search engines, media players and similar.
Uninstall Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com and use a legitimate search engine instead
Even if you found the file conversion links useful, we suggest you remove Your Free PDF Converter Now and find a legitimate source on the internet. Security experts[3] warn that prolonging elimination of unwanted programs increases the risk of dangerous threats.
Fortunately, Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com removal is not complicated and might be performed even by those who are not that familiar with computers. We suggest you download and install a powerful security tool. Merely follow installation instruction and perform a full system scan.
If you are familiar with computers and their processes, you can eliminate the unwanted app without additional software. Follow our guide below this article. However, make sure that you execute each step precisely as incorrect procedure might result in Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com virus reinfection.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com, follow these steps:
Delete Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com from Windows systems
Follow these steps if you want to get rid of all the unwanted apps. Make sure you uninstall Your Free PDF Converter Now and similar entries by the same developer:
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
- Uninstall Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com and related programs
Here, look for Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariGet rid of Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Remove Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com removal.
Eliminate Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com from Microsoft Edge
Reset your MS Edge settings to default immediately after Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com elimination:
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. -
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariUninstall Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com removal.
Erase Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com from Google Chrome
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com removal.
Delete Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com from Safari
- Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Search.hyourfreepdfconverternowpop.com removal process.
About the author
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References
- ^ Margaret Rouse. PUP (potentially unwanted program). TechTarget. Network of technology-specific websites.
- ^ Malware. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia .
- ^ LesVirus. French cybersecurity news.