What is PDFSearchSafe ?
PDFSearchSafe is considered as a Potentially Unwanted Program that gets installed on the computer to alter settings of the browser. The moment it is installed on the system it takes full control of the web browser and redirects to unwanted websites. What is most annoying is the fact that there can be several changes noticed on the web browser such as homepage gets replaced to feed.pdfsearchsafe.com , search engine also gets modified and new tab page url changes. Actually all such changes take place as the PDFSearchSafe browser extension is installed on the web browser. This will manipulate search results which are fetched by search.yahoo.com. The searched terms and results are often full of ads and sponsored links with almost very little or no Organic results. Also these results bring revenue to their vendors which is mostly generated by Yahoo Search. Although Yahoo is a legit Search Engine and is not associated with malware, we can’t say or feel the same for PDFSearchSafe.
Threat Summary
| Name : PDFSearchSafe | |
| Type: Potentially Unwanted Program, Redirect virus, Fake Search engine | |
| Similar threats: SuperPDFSearch , PDFSearchApps | |
| Affects browser: Chrome, Mozilla, IE, Edge, Safari | |
| Modifies: Homepage, Search Engine, new tab URL of browser | |
| Symptoms: Displays frequent pop-up ads, forced redirection issues, Installation of unwanted apps and toolbars | |
| Removal: Follow our PDFSearchSafe Removal Guide |
What are the symptoms of PDFSearchSafe?
There are certain changes on the compromised browser that confirms PDFSearchSafe attack as
- Default search engine of web browser gets replaced to PDFSearchSafe Search
- the search queries are often fetched and rerouted via feed.pdfsaearchsafe.com
- Installation of PDFSearchSafe extension is installed on the computer. As a result the browser keeps on redirecting and rerouting to its unwanted website.
How Nasty is PDFSearchSafe ?
Needless to say, PDFSearchSafe has the capability to hide and bundle with other freeware, shareware and other suspicious programs and torrents. It often promotes or gets promoted as the most useful add-on and browser extension. However it is not found to be so. The reality is that PDFSearchSafe pretends to appear as versatile and creeps into the system secretly. The motive behind is tracking of personal and sensitive data which is collected for unauthorized access to know about the IP Address, Geolocation, browser cache, cookies, web history and searched queries without users permission or their knowledge. Moreover it starts displaying annoying ads as pop-ups aggressively. Gradually the workspace area of the screen gets preoccupied by generated ads and banners. This diminishes the browsing experience and there is every possibility that users end up in clicking on those ads by getting carried away. Once even if the ads are clicked then your browser will lurch into completely different third party websites which you never intend to visit. So if you don’t want to compromise your privacy then remove PDFSearchSafe from your system without delaying any further.
How To Remove PDFSearchSafe
We have included a detailed removal guide of PDFSearchSafe from the web browser as well as from the different Windows OS. You just need to follow each and every step as shown in the Guide given below. Also users need to scan their PC with legit anti-malware to clean all the related plugins and extensions from the browser safely.
Best Offer (For Windows)
PDFSearchSafe can be creepy PC threat that may keep on running in background by hiding its files on computers. For complete and hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest users to try Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Kindly Note *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Spyhunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and more details about Free Remover
Best Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and PDFSearchSafe has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.
Details of Antimalware with User’s Guide
Important Note: This virus seeks users to enable the web browser notifications. So, before opting for the manual removal process, execute these steps.
For Google Chrome (PC)
- Users need to Go to right upper corner of the screen and find three dots and click there open the Menu button
- Now in order to Select “Settings”. users need to Scroll the mouse downward to choose as “Advanced” option.
- Then Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward. Once done you need to select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
- Now Find all suspicious URLs and select and click on three dots on the right side
- Now all you have to do is to choose “Block” or “Remove” option
Google Chrome (Android)
- Firstly users should Go to right upper corner of the screen
- Then click on three dots in order to open the menu button and again click on “Settings”
- Now scroll down further to click on “site settings” and there after press on “notifications” option
- This would open a new window, now you need to choose each suspicious URLs one by one
- under permission section, users need to select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button.
From Mozilla Firefox
- At the right corner of the screen, users can find three dots which is the “Menu” button
- Now you need to Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” for the toolbar which is present in the left side on the screen
- Now you need to Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then select “Settings” option which is just next to “Notifications”
- This will open a new window, So now select all the suspicious URLs. Finally Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block” option
From Internet Explorer
- Open and select Internet Explorer window, then you need to select the Gear button which is present at the right corner
- Then Choose “Internet Options”
- users need to Select “Privacy” tab and then click on “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
- Finally you need to Select all the suspicious URLs and click on the “Remove” option one by one.
In Microsoft Edge
- First of all Open the Microsoft Edge browser on Windows PC. Then click on the three dots which can be found on right corner of the screen to open the menu option
- Now Scroll down to select “Settings”
- Then further Scroll down to select “view advanced settings”
- Under the option of “Website Permission”, users should click on “Manage” options.
- Now Click on switch under for each and every suspicious URL.
For Safari (Mac)
- click on “Safari” On the upper right side corner, select “Preferences”
- Now Go to “website” tab and then you need to choose “Notification” section which is on left pane
- Then Search for all the suspicious URLs and finally choose “Deny” option one by one.
Complete Manual Steps to Remove PDFSearchSafe
For Windows 7 Users
The first step is to Click on “Start” button ( windows logo at bottom left corner of screen), Now select “Control Panel”. Then Locate the “Programs” and finally click on “Uninstall Program” option.
Windows XP Users
Firstly Click on “Start” and then select on “Settings”.
Now click on “Control Panel”.
Finally Search and click on “Add or Remove Program” option.
Windows 10 and 8 Users
Firstly right click on to the lower left corner of the screen. Under “Quick Access” menu, you need to choose “Control Panel”. This would open a new window, select “Program and Features” to find any suspicious program and remove them.
For Mac OSX Users
users need to Click on “Finder” option. Then select “Application” on new screen which gets opened. Now select “Application” folder and drag the app to “Trash”. Finally right click on the Trash icon and select to click on “Empty Trash” option.
under uninstall programs window, look for any potentially unwanted application. Once found select all the unwanted and suspicious entries. Then finally click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.
Once all the PUA and adware such as PDFSearchSafe is uninstalled, it is advised to scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs which might be hidden. It is recommended to use anti-malware tool to scan PC.
Best Offer (For Windows)
PDFSearchSafe can be creepy PC threat that may keep on running in background by hiding its files on computers. For complete and hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest users to try Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Kindly Note *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Spyhunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and more details about Free Remover
Best Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and PDFSearchSafe has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.
How to Remove PDFSearchSafe from Internet Browsers
Steps to Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from Internet Explorer
You need to Click on the gear icon which is at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Now Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search and check for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and then click on “Remove” option.
Additional Option
If you are still experiencing issues related to PDFSearchSafe removal, then you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.
Windows XP users: First of all Press on “Start” and then click “Run”. In the newly opened window, you need to type “inetcpl.cpl” and then click on the “Advanced” tab and now press on “Reset”.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, you need to type ‘inetcpl.cpl’ in the start search box and press enter. This will open a new window, here click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.
For Windows 8 Users: Double click to Open IE and then click on the “gear” icon. Select and Choose “Internet Options”
“Advanced” tab is to be selected in the new window
now Press and click “Reset” option
“Reset” button is to be presses again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE
How to Remove suspicious and unwanted Extension from Google Chrome
Under menu option of Google Chrome, press on three vertical dots and then select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. Users need to search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.
Optional Method
If PDFSearchSafe still persists or in case if users experience any issue in removing it, then opt to reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dot points which is at the top right corner and then choose “Settings”. you need to Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.
You can notice the “Reset” option is there at the bottom. Now click on it.
Within then next opened window, one needs to confirm to reset the Google Chrome settings by clicking on the “Reset” button.
Remove PDFSearchSafe plugins (including all other suspicious plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla
First of all Open the Firefox browser, under menu you need to select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Now Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.
Optional Method
If you experience problems in PDFSearchSafe removal then reset the settings option in Mozilla Firefox. For this users need to Open the browser (FF) and now click on the “menu” and then click on “Help“.
Now Choose “Troubleshooting Information”
In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button
Now confirm and reset the Mozilla Firefox to its default settings by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.
How To Remove Malicious Extension from Safari
In order to accomplish this task, Open Safari browser and then go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.
Now Click on the “Extension” and check all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall” on the selected extension.
Optional Method
Users need to Open the “Safari” and go to menu. Under the drop-down menu, select “Clear History and Website Data”.
within new opened window, you need to select “All History” option and then press on “Clear History” to Delete it.
Delete PDFSearchSafe add-ons from Microsoft Edge Browser
First of all Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”.
Optional Method
Open Microsoft Edge Browser and select “Settings”
Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button
Now select on “show more” and select all and then click on “Clear” button.
Conclusion
Mostly, Potentially Unwanted Program and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only select legit website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Now select custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.
Best Offer (For Windows)
PDFSearchSafe can be creepy PC threat that may keep on running in background by hiding its files on computers. For complete and hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest users to try Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.
Kindly Note *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. Spyhunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and more details about Free Remover
Best Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and PDFSearchSafe has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.