TopPDFSearch browser hijacker (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Improved Guide

TopPDFSearch browser hijacker Removal Guide

What is TopPDFSearch browser hijacker?

TopPDFSearch browser hijacker – a PUP that fills search results with deceptive ads

TopPDFSearch browser hijackerThe browser hijacker alters browser settings to promote a search engine of its choice

TopPDFSearch is a browser hijacker, although it might seem like a useful tool at first sight. It offers an on-page PDF and currency converters, cryptocurrency overviews, and a calculator. But if you type in a query into the search field, a new page opens with results from Searchlee will be shown. However, the search provider might depend on your geolocation.[1]

The search results contain tons of various ads. It's not safe to click on any of them as they're generated by the article's culprit. Potentially unwanted program[2] distributors don't care about the privacy and safety of their users, so they advertise whoever pays the most.

That's why TopPDFSearch ads might lead to dangerous sites with malware, tech support scams, push notification viruses, etc. Please refrain from clicking on them or trying to close them as the “Close” or “X” buttons might disfunction and open an affiliated portal anyways.

Furthermore, this type of software modifies every browser installed on your device by changing their default search engine, new tab, and homepage preferences. In this particular case, all settings are altered without the user's direct consent to promote portal.toppdfsearch.com.

Moreover, browser hijackers have data-tracking capabilities. Such PUPs usually collect non-identifiable information (IP addresses, geolocations, search inquiries, URLs of visited sites, etc.). Still, in some cases, they could gather personal details, such as emails, names, and so on.

Based on the aggregated information (aka your browsing habits), the PUP operators customize advertisements specifically for you, so they might seem irresistible. Sometimes, the information is shared with or sold to third parties to increase revenue.

Therefore we strongly recommend our readers remove TopPDFSearch browser hijacker, and the sooner, the better. This article contains comprehensive instructions to help you get rid of this intruder, whether it's installed as an app or a browser extension, and repair virus damage.

name TopPDFSearch
Type Browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP
Symptoms of infection Browser settings modified without your direct consent; search results are shown from a different provider and are filled with ads; diminished browsing speed
Risks Privacy issues, malware infections
Appointed search engine portal.toppdfsearch.com
Distribution Fake Flash Player updates, software bundling
Elimination Entrust the removal of this browser hijacker to trustworthy anti-malware software
System health Repair virus caused system issues by running system diagnostics with the FortectIntego software

TopPDFSearch adsSearch results provided by the browser hijacker contain lots of ads

Remove TopPDFSearch and protect yourself from such PUPs in the future

Potentially unwanted programs, including the article's culprit, usually end up on devices without their owners knowing about it. That happens when you download a software bundle from third-party vendors. They use this technique to increase their revenue.

Additional applications aren't disclosed, and as soon as you pick the Standard, Quick, or Recommended installation mode, all of them are automatically installed. Even some legitimate software vendors and developers are using this deceptive technique. Therefore you need to be careful when installing any new apps.

One way to evade TopPDFSearch and PUPs like is to choose the Custom or Advanced installation mode and go through the whole process step-by-step, deselecting all unreliable, suspicious, unwanted apps from installing on your device. Another way is to have a proper anti-malware tool like the Malwarebytes that will block you from installing such software.

In this day and age, reliable security software is essential as cybercriminals are getting more and more aggressive, and their vile creations are getting more devastating. Such apps will protect your device from various malware that's lurking on the internet and waiting for users with insufficient cybersecurity levels.

You can easily remove TopPDFSearch if it's installed as an app with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or the aforementioned security tool. This kind of software ensures that all cyber threats with all components are properly eliminated. We don't recommend manual removal as key entries might get overlooked. But if you're eager to do it yourself, at least use our illustrated instructions.

Follow these steps to remove suspicious applications from computers running Windows 10/8:

  • Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  • Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 1
  • 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 the uninstallation process is complete and click OK.Uninstall from Windows 2

There was a time when Apple devices were not susceptible to any cyber infections. But those days are long gone. Practically every Apple device can get infected with PUPs or malware. Therefore, if you see any symptoms of TopPDFSearch virus on your Mac, use these instructions to get rid of it:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.Uninstall from Mac 2

Please note that residual infection files could cause various system issues, including infection renewal. That's why, after you successfully remove TopPDFSearch manually, we still recommend scanning the device with a trustworthy anti-malware tool to make sure no files were overlooked.

Eliminate all suspicious extensions from your browsers and clean up your PC

The browser hijacker might not be that easy to remove and might hide as a browser extension. Then you will need to get your hands dirty because there are no tools capable of helping you out. And if some app is claiming otherwise, it's probably a PUP itself.

Since you came to us for help, we'll be more than happy to assist you. This chapter contains comprehensive instructions to clean the two most popular browsers in the world. Please stick to the step-by-step guides, and you'll be able to restore your default browser settings. Follow these steps to remove TopPDFSearch extension from your Chrome browser:

  • Open the browser, 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.Remove extensions from Chrome

As well as Apple devices, their default browser can also get infected with potentially unwanted programs. The removal is fairly simple, but we still recommend using our illustrated instructions, so the whole process goes without any hiccups and is finished within a few minutes. Manual questionable extension removal guide for Safari:

  • Click Safari > Preferences…
  • In the new window, pick Extensions.
  • Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.Remove extensions from Safari

By completing all these steps, TopPDFSearch browser hijacker will be safely removed. The only thing to take care of is the overall health of your device. A messy registry, tons of tracking cookies, and other system irregularities might result in various system failures.

You can avoid them by performing system diagnostics with the time-tested FortectIntego repair software. Cybersecurity analysts[3] highly recommend it as it automatically detects and fixes all system-related issues, so your device runs smoothly. It also eliminates all tracking cookies stored by mischievous domains, so your privacy is safe.

In the future, if any potentially unwanted program slips by the defenses of your anti-malware software, please remember to not push on any of the displayed ads. Immediately update your safety tool's virus definitions database with the latest signatures and perform a full system scan.

Offer
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Fortect Happiness
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Intego Happiness
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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

How to prevent from getting browser hijacker

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Linas Kiguolis
Linas Kiguolis - Expert in social media

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