What Is PDFPower.exe?
PDFPower.exe is a malicious file that belongs to the PDFPower potentially unwanted program. It should be noted that this malicious program is often detected under the MediaArena PUA name. The detection names may vary according to the anti-virus engine, but the unwanted activities are the same.
Affected users have been reporting seeing an increased numbers of alerts (usually coming from Microsoft) stating that “MediaArena unwanted software was prevented.” These notifications stem from the PDFPower.exe, and are an indication of a security issue that should be dealt with immediately.
If you’re concerned about the safety of Pdfpower.exe, consider the following steps:
- Check its location. Legitimate software is typically installed in standard locations, like Program Files. If the file is located in an odd place (e.g., your system folder), that could be suspicious.
- Check its digital signature. Right-click on the file, go to “Properties” and check the “Digital Signatures” tab. If it is signed by a known publisher, it is more likely to be legitimate.
- Run an anti-malware scan. If you’re unsure about the file, run a scan with your antivirus software or use online tools like VirusTotal to analyze the file for potential threats.
PDFPower Threat Details
| Name | PDFPower also detected as MediaArena / PUA.MediaArena |
| Type | PUP, browser add-on |
| Short Description | An adware application that is promoted as a useful browser utility. |
| Symptoms | The user’s homepage can be changed, multiple files and registry entries can be added to the system. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling, its official page, other freeware pages. |
| Detection Tool |
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How Did I Download PDFPower?
The most likely distribution method that PDFPower uses is bundled software installers.
Malicious bundled software is a type of computer program that is bundled with another program, often without the user’s knowledge or consent. It can be used to install malware, spyware, adware, and other malicious code on a user’s system. These malicious programs are often difficult to detect and remove, as they are hidden in the other program’s code. Malicious bundled software can be used to steal personal data, hijack web browsers, and even take over a computer’s system.
How to Avoid Downloading PDFPower?
To avoid the installation of unwanted programs, you should play close attention during the installation of freeware apps. Freeware you recently downloaded from software download pages could have been bundled with PDFPower. Third-party developers may support shady practices for monetization purposes, and may offer you to change your homepage or search provider. You can decline any of these additional offers only if you are careful enough to spot them during installation. In other words, paying attention to the installation setups of freeware could spare you from having to deal with this browser hijacker.
To eliminate any associated risks, we recommend that you remove thoroughly the extension from your browsers and operating system. The next paragraph provides instructions on how to complete the removal process.
PDFPower – What Does It Do?
Due to its unexpected appearance and overall behavior, PDFPower can also be classified as a browser hijacker, set to change the settings of your default browser without your knowledge or initial consent. Please note that PDFPower may collect information about your browsing and could share it with third-party advertisers. This is done for monetization purposes.
As a result of having PDFPower, it is possible that you start experiencing intrusive pop-up ads, which are often entirely unrelated to your browsing. These ads could contain information about other questionable applications such as system optimizers, virus alerts and detected system issues, or push notifications. Keep in mind that your searches could also be redirected to unwanted and suspicious pages.
Information that PDFPower’s developers may collect about your browsing includes the following:
- Visited URLs and websites;
- Browser’s home page;
- Search queries;
- Search queries on the visited web pages;
- Type of used browser;
- Operating system type;
- Internet protocol (IP) address;
- Geographic location;
- The domain name of current Internet service provider (ISP);
- Diagnostic information which describes how their Services are operating on the system.
Is PDFPower a Virus?
Potentially unwanted programs don’t fit the technical description of a computer virus (e.g. self-replication capabilities). They are, however, considered dangerous, as they expose the computer system to other risks. The general security advice is that PDFPower and all related files should be removed from the computer as soon as detected.
How to Remove PDFPower.exe Virus
To get rid of PDFPower along with any associated files, you should complete several removal steps. If you want to make sure that no undesired and potentially harmful files are running on your system, we recommend that you follow the guide to the end. Keep in mind that some of the installed files may be named in a way not related to the PUPs’a name, so that they can be hard to find, and therefore difficult to remove.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove PDFPower from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for PDFPower with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall PDFPower and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by PDFPower on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by PDFPower there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for PDFPower (Windows).
Get rid of PDFPower from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall PDFPower and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to PDFPower. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove PDFPower via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove PDFPower files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as PDFPower, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for PDFPower (Mac)
Remove PDFPower from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase PDFPower from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall PDFPower from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove PDFPower from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the PDFPower will be removed.
Eliminate PDFPower from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
PDFPower-FAQ
What Is PDFPower?
The PDFPower threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of PDFPower?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like PDFPower?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does PDFPower Work?
Once installed, PDFPower can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
PDFPower can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is PDFPower Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the PDFPower Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PDFPower how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on PDFPower?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the PDFPower threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.