The Direct-PDF search hijacker is an example of a typical unwanted program; such programs are distributed massively nowadays. On this page you will see the comprehensive instructions of “Direct-PDF” hijacker removal in several ways: using anti-malware tools and also hand-operated removal procedure.
Direct-PDF – What is it?
“Direct-PDF” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some special details, for instance, about sport events, make your browser a lot more secure, enable downloading of any kind of video clip, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
Nevertheless, the “Direct-PDF” plugin is fairly useless since all such features are currently embedded to your browser and/or Windows. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But occasionally even professional users are getting caught on such an appeal. In certain scenarios, this hijacker is distributed together with free tools.
Direct-PDF Search Hijacker
Here is a short details for the Direct-PDF hijacker
| NAME | Direct-PDF |
| Site | Portal.direct-pdf.com |
| Hosting | AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc. United States, San Francisco |
| Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
| IP Address | 172.67.176.24 |
| Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
| Similar behavior | Smarty, Promusicsearch/, Start |
| Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is Direct-PDF hijacker?
Besides its impracticality, Direct-PDF hijacker is also really hazardous for browser utilization. It changes your search engine to its specific – Portal.direct-pdf.com, and also alters your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the mentioned symbol).
Besides seeable transformations done by Direct-PDF hijacker, you can notice that many of your search inquiries are redirecting to the uncertain web pages, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can include web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting surges if you try to launch Google search page forcibly.
But all these activities are more irritating than truly hazardous. The biggest hazard, primarily for individuals who have a lot of confidential information in their browsers, is installed in information gathering capabilities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites, as well as other activities are easily collected by Direct-PDF hijacker.
How to remove Direct-PDF 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 often quite very easy to remove. Most of the times, they have an independent application that can be located in the list of installed applications. As a result of the certain distribution tactic of Direct-PDF hijacker, it can be easily tracked and deleted manually. Nonetheless, if you got Direct-PDF in the package with a free applications, your personal computer might be infected with much more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you use anti-malware tools to delete the Direct-PDF PUA and all various other malware.
You can use Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of recognizing and eliminating different malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, serious malware, that may be present on your PC in the mentioned instance, can disable the Windows antivirus program by editing the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such situations, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and erase all malicious applications on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.
You can observe the detected viruses sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.
To set the action for every detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all the viruses will be removed to quarantine.
Reverting browser settings to original ones
To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.
After pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing Direct-PDF 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 Direct-PDF?
Name: Direct-PDF
Description: Direct-PDF - 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 Direct-PDF?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with Direct-PDF (Portal.direct-pdf.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
