The ClickPDFSearch search hijacker is an example of a standard unwanted program; such applications are spread massively nowadays. On this page you will see the precise information of “ClickPDFSearch” hijacker elimination in several ways: making use of anti-malware software and also hand-operated removal procedure.
ClickPDFSearch – What is it?
“ClickPDFSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is distributed as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to search some precise information, for example, about sport events, make your web browser far more safe, enable downloading of any type of web video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
Nevertheless, the “ClickPDFSearch” plugin is fairly useless due to the fact that all such features are already integrated to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But frequently even expert users are getting caught on such a lure. In particular cases, this hijacker is distributed together with free tools.
Here is a short summary for the ClickPDFSearch hijacker
NAME | ClickPDFSearch |
Site | Clickpdfsearch.com |
Hosting | AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc. United States, San Francisco |
Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
IP Address | 104.21.70.206 |
Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
Similar behavior | Checka, My, Freesearchvideos |
Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is ClickPDFSearch hijacker?
Besides its uselessness, ClickPDFSearch hijacker is also pretty hazardous for web browser usage. It changes your search engine to its specific – Clickpdfsearch.com, and additionally alters your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the specified symptom).
Apart from aesthetic modifications done by ClickPDFSearch hijacker, you can discover that a number of your search inquiries are redirecting to the unfamiliar web pages, full of links and ads – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can have links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting increases if you attempt to launch Google search page by force.
However all these actions are a lot more bothersome than really dangerous. The most significant hazard, specifically for individuals who have a considerable amount of confidential information in their browsers, is installed in information gathering functionalities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages, as well as various other activities are easily gathered by ClickPDFSearch hijacker.
How to remove ClickPDFSearch search hijacker?
- Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
- Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
- “Move to quarantine” all items.
- Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
- Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
- Restart your computer.
Browser hijackers are typically very easy to deal with. Most of the times, they have an independent application that can be seen in the list of installed programs. Due to the particular marketing tactic of ClickPDFSearch hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and removed manually. Nonetheless, if you got ClickPDFSearch in the package with a free program, your system might be infected with far more severe malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you make use of anti-malware tools to remove the ClickPDFSearch PUA and all various other malware.
You can utilize Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of recognizing and clearing away different malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, severe malware, that may be present on your PC in the mentioned instance, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To avoid such circumstances, it is far better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and erase all malicious programs on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.
You can observe the detected malware sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.
To set the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected virus. By default, all malware will be moved to quarantine.
Reset browser settings to original ones
To revert your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.
After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing ClickPDFSearch hijacker manually
Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.
To reset Edge, do the following steps :
- Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
- After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
- Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
- In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
If you use Google Chrome
- Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
- In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
- Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
- Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
- After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :
As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.
I need your help to share this guide.
Browser hijackers are among the largest and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur WoodhamHow to Remove ClickPDFSearch?
Name: ClickPDFSearch
Description: ClickPDFSearch - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove ClickPDFSearch?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with ClickPDFSearch (Clickpdfsearch.com), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Browser Hijacker
User Review
( votes)References
- More information about PUAs
- Detailed review of Microsoft Defender