Home > Browser redirect > Remove ProPDFConverter Redirect
THREAT REMOVAL

Remove ProPDFConverter Redirect

by   |  December 4, 2017  |  0 Comments   , ,

The article will help you to remove ProPDFConverter totally. Follow the browser hijacker removal instructions given at the bottom of the article.

ProPDFConverter.com is a Web address hosting a direct download of a browser hijacker which is developed by Mindspark Interactive. If you have that extension or other unwanted programs on your computer related to the hijacker, know that they will modify your homepage, search engine and new tab. A related toolbar exists, that performs in the same way. Search results can be misleading and show you targeted advertisements and similar content.

Threat Summary

Name ProPDFConverter
Type Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description All browsers on your computer could be affected. The hijacker will redirect you and filter your search queries.
Symptoms Browser settings which are altered are the homepage, search engine, and new tab. A browser extension and a toolbar can be added, as well. You can see targeted advertisement content.
Distribution Method Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware

Download

Malware Removal Tool
User Experience Join Our Forum to Discuss ProPDFConverter.

ProPDFConverter.com – Delivery Ways

The ProPDFConverter.com site uses a couple of delivery ways to spread its hijacking program. It could be spread with the help of third-party install setups. Bundled software and freeware programs could install the browser hijacker on your computer device. Such installations could be set to put more components along with the default installation. To prevent unwanted programs from installing on your computer can be done if you find Custom or Advanced options to deselect components.

In the above image you can see that the ProPDFConverter.com site has a page that is spreading the related browser extension with a direct download. The extension is also available on the Google Chrome Store and similar places. Another way for spreading the unwanted application to your browsers and PC might include the use of advertisements and redirects. They will be shown as pop-ups, banners and text-links on websites. Those websites could be affiliated or partnered up with Mindspark. The following browsers can be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

ProPDFConverter.com – In Detail

ProPDFConverter.com is a Web address that is also a host for a direct download of the browser hijacker named ProPDFConverter. This hijacker will redirect you to the MyWay search engine from every search that you do. MyWay is owned by the Mindspark Interactive Network, which is the developer of this hijacker software. That same company has made bulks of programs with browser hijacking capabilities. If you have any application associated with it on your computer, then your search engine, start page and the new tab window of your browsers will be changed to that of the hijacker.

You can see the main page from the picture below:

The ProPDFConverter download page is covered with an arrow pointing to a download button. Its main search page when you load a new tab, however, has lots of buttons under the search bar which is very similar to other browser hijackers made by the same company. The page also has a bunch of links in the footer of its main page and search results.

The same page will be placed as your default search engine of the browsers you have, along with its new tab window and home page. A toolbar or a browser extension can be added, as well.

The extension connected to the hijacker does the following:

  • Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
  • Replace the page you see when opening a new tab
  • Read and change your browsing history
  • Manage your downloads
  • Manage your apps, extensions, and themes

ProPDFConverter.com will hijack your browser software programs and make changes to them, if one of its related applications finds its way to your computer device. Your computer system can become affected due to the installation of bundled applications. A lot of sponsored content and targeted advertisements could be displayed in your search results as seen in the example underneath. Your search queries will all go through the int.search.myway.com/search/ address:

In case you have the ProPDFConverter.com search redirect, every single online search that you do, will be filtered by MyWay and also links will generate money for the hijacker owners by pay-per-click monetization. You will get redirected to and witness pop-ups and other advertisements associated with the hijacker.

The company of Mindspark has received a lot of notoriety from the browser hijacking software that it has developed in the past and shows no signs of stopping development. Thus, you should be on alert when dealing with this kind of search engine redirects. Continue to read below to check out what information exactly will be gathered from you.

ProPDFConverter – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of ProPDFConverter will redirect you to the official EULA and Policy page of Mindspark found at https://eula.mindspark.com/privacypolicy/. The policy can be seen from the picture below:

According to this Policy, this information will be gathered:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Email address
  • Number of your page views
  • What links you clicked
  • Telephone number
  • Your login times

The following quote from the Privacy Policy is not unusual for Mindspark:

We may allow third-parties, including our authorized service providers, IAC affiliates, advertising companies, and ad networks, to display advertisements or place ad tags or beacons on or via MS Services. These companies may use tracking technologies, such as cookies, to collect information about users who view or interact with their advertisements.

The policy states that if you used any service associated with ProPDFConverter.com and Mindspark, including toolbars and applications, will automatically be considered as your approval for personal data collection. All data which is obtained from them could be shared with third party businesses. In case you do not want your private space to be invaded in this or any similar way, you should remove the unwanted software.

Remove ProPDFConverter Redirect

To remove ProPDFConverter.com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all of its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer safe in the future.

Avatar

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

More Posts


Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

How to Remove ProPDFConverter from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove ProPDFConverter

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".
Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall ProPDFConverter and related software from Windows

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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by ProPDFConverter on your computer.

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 ProPDFConverter there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for ProPDFConverter with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

SpyHunter5-update-2018

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

SpyHunter5-Free-Scan-2018

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

SpyHunter-5-Free-Scan-Next-2018

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.


Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Get rid of ProPDFConverter from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall ProPDFConverter and remove related files and objects

OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy


1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to ProPDFConverter:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to ProPDFConverter. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. 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 ProPDFConverter. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

  • 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 ProPDFConverter 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as ProPDFConverter. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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 ProPDFConverter files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ProPDFConverter, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for ProPDFConverter:


Download

SpyHunter for Mac


Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Remove ProPDFConverter 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.


Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Erase ProPDFConverter 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.


Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Uninstall ProPDFConverter 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.


Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Remove ProPDFConverter 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".

stf-safari preferences

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

stf-safari-extensions

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

stf-safari uninstall

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the ProPDFConverter will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.


Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Eliminate ProPDFConverter 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.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *