The article will help you to remove PDF Convert Tab fully. Follow the browser hijacker removal instructions given at the end of the article.
The PDF Convert Tab redirect is a recently discovered browser plugin that can be used for hijacker purposes. Interaction with it can hijack personal data belonging to the victims. Our in-depth article explores some of the dangers associated with its presence on infected hosts.
Threat Summary
| Name | PDF Convert Tab |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | The hijacker redirect can alter the homepage, search engine and new tab on every browser application you have installed. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab and search engine of all your browsers will be switched to PDF Convert Tab. You will be redirected and could see sponsored content. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss PDF Convert Tab. |
PDF Convert Tab – Distribution Methods
PDF Convert Tab is a standard browser hijacker and web site redirect that is being distributed using the commonly available methods. Like other similar threats it uses several different mechanisms at once to increase the number of infected clients.
At the moment the most noteworthy distribution tactic is its installation from the browser plugin repositories.It is made compatible with the most popular applications and the relevant pages use elaborate descriptions together with fake developer credentials and user reviews.
The hackers behind the PDF Convert Tab redirect can create email SPAM messages that are sent in bulk to the respective users. The messages are composed using social engineering techniques that blackmail, persuade or coerce the users into interacting with the malicious elements. They also serve as one of the primary sources of infected payloads. They are also found on fake download sites that are made with the same templates that are used on the famous Internet portals. Two of the most popular types are the following:
- Software Installers — The criminals can take the legitimate installers of widely used applications and embed the dangerous virus code into them. Usual targets are system utilities, creativity suites, productivity programs and etc.
- Documents — The same technique is used to infect documents of different types: spreadsheets, text files, presentations and databases. Once they are opened by the victims a notification prompt appears that asks the victims to enable the built-in scripts (macros). Once this is done the virus infection follows.
The hacker operators can spread the PDF Convert Tab redirect using malicious web scripts such as pop-ups, banners, redirects, in-line hyperlinks and etc.
PDF Convert Tab – Detailed Description
The PDF Convert Tab redirect is mainly delivered using a browser hijacker which presents several web browser changes. As the infections stems from the hijacker, it can instantly access all stored contents within: cookies, bookmarks, history, passwords, settings and etc. Once the threat is installed on the client machines it will change the default settings to point to the hacker-controlled site: default home page, new tabs page and search engine.
Depending on the exact configuration of the threat and its intended targets it can cause different effects on the machines. In many cases this includes the Windows Registry where the redirect can target both entries belonging to the operating system or the user-installed applications. When the Windows registry is changed overall performance can suffer while changes to the individual application strings can result in the disruption of certain functions.
The active PDF Convert Tab redirect can also be used to execute a hacker-controlled server connection. It leads to a Trojan-like infection where the criminal operators can spy on the victims in real time, as well as take over control of the machines. This can be used to install additional threats to the victim hosts as well.
Once the hijacker is installed on the victim browsers it will instantly redirect the users to the target site. Similar redirects like this one usually contain a pre-generated list of addresses that are placed in its engine.
When the associated web browser is started for the first time an information gathering module is started. It is able to harvest sensitive data from the target computers which is grouped into two main categories:
- Privacy-Invasive Data — The engine is configured to harvest strings that can directly expose the identity of the victims: their name address, location, interests, telephone number, passwords and etc.
- Campaign Metrics — The engine can be configured to extract information that can optimize the distribution campaigns. Example data includes the a complete profile of the installed hardware components.
The browser redirect shows a typical search engine template that includes options for converting files to PDF using a third party service. It is devised of several elements:
- Top Menu Bar — It includes a search engine box that uses the same engine as the main one placed in the center.
- Main Search Engine — It is the main interactive element of the page. It aims to attact the redirected users into using it.
- Bottom Menu Bar — This section of the page is used to link to the privacy policy and terms of use documents.
PDF Convert Tab – Privacy Policy
The privacy policy reads that the site is being operated by a company called Hopebest. The document lists the data that is obtained by the site during the user’s interactions. It is harvested via cookies, web beacons and other technology that is placed on their computers upon first use of the site. ll of the site’s actions are governed according to the privacy policy.
An example is the collection of the following data:
- Social Media Accounts & Usage — Whenever a social media service is accessed through the relevant browser hijacker the user data can be accessed by the service as well.
- Email Data — If the PDF Convert Tab redirect links the users to an affiliate email service all of the inbox contents can be made accessible to them.
- Other Sites Interactions — The tracking cookies can give the operators an overview of the victim’s usage of all web sites, not just the ones that they directly control.
- Sensitive Data — This includes metrics associated with the victims themselves — data that can be directly expose their identity such as their name, address, telephone number and etc.
Remove PDF Convert Tab Browser Hijacker
To remove PDF Convert Tab manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions given below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the browser hijacker entirely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software helps keep your computer secure in the future. We remind our readers that certain hijackers (most likely this one as well) are configured to harvest the information to a database shared with other similar threats.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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How to Remove PDF Convert Tab from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for PDF Convert Tab with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab (Windows).
Get rid of PDF Convert Tab from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab. 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 PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as PDF Convert Tab, 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 PDF Convert Tab (Mac)
Remove PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab will be removed.
Eliminate PDF Convert Tab 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".
PDF Convert Tab-FAQ
What Is PDF Convert Tab?
The PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab?
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 PDF Convert Tab?
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 PDF Convert Tab Work?
Once installed, PDF Convert Tab 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.
PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PDF Convert Tab 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 PDF Convert Tab?
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 PDF Convert Tab threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.