What is SuperPDFSearch?
SuperPDFSearch is the name of a hijacker that invades popular web browsers. Without informing users, it applies changes that affect main browser settings. The website does not operate alone. It is pushed by a potentially unwanted program. This program may have landed on your device by being hidden in the installer of another software.
Browser hijackers are programs that affect browsers to deliver ads. In the case of SuperPDFSearch is may be presenting you with pop-ups, redirecting pages, banners, in-text links, and sponsored search results. In fact, this hijacker is one of many that cause the Yahoo redirect virus. Using the hoax services of SuperPDFSearch may be dangerous as there is no guarantee it will show links to reliable sites only.
SuperPDFSearch is not a malicious app but still, it would be better if you remove it from your PC/Mac as soon as possible. Check out the steps at the end of the article.
SuperPDFSearch Summary
| Name | SuperPDFSearch |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Browser Redirect, PUP |
| Short Description | A program that pushes questionable search enigne. It hijacks browsers without asking for pemission. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search enigne in preferred web browser are set to display the hoax search engine SuperPDFSearch.com |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Corrupted Websites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by Malware Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
SuperPDFSearch – A Detailed Look
SuperPDFSearch is the name given to another browser hijacker. The series of hijacker that pretend to be somehow useful for operations with PDF files includes other names like PDFSearchio, PDFConverterSearch, and PDFSearchly.
The goal of SuperPDFSearch is to obtain access to a computer operating system and then alter browsers’ settings. The result is a changed browser homepage, new tab page, and default search engine. Yet another outcome is the intrusive online advertising caused by the undesired program and its online services.
On top of that, the new search engine you are forced to use is a hoax one. It redirects all search queries to Yahoo Search. Yahoo Search is not an engine that is initially dangerous in any way but when misused by bogus programs it may be modified to display too many sponsored results. By doing this, fraudsters hope to earn money.
At worst the SuperPDFSearch’ search which is hosted on portal.superpdfsearch.com may open a poorly secured or a hacked website.
A common practice of browser hijacking programs is unsolicited data collection. So as long as this bogus search engine has access to your browser it may record data like search queries, browsing history, IP address, clicks on links, and more. Then its developers may launch targeted advertising campaigns or sell the records for a direct income.
To sum up, SuperPDFSearch is a questionable application that forces you to use a hoax search engine in order to spy on your online activities and bombard you with intrusive ads. It primarily aims to generate revenue for its owners. We consider that affected users should consider the complete removal of SuperPDFSearch hijacker for the sake of their online security.
SuperPDFSearch Hijacker Removal Guide
In order to remove the SuperPDFSearch browser hijacker along with all associated files that enable its appearance in the browser, you should complete several removal steps. The guide below presents all the steps required for the complete removal of browser hijackers like SuperPDFSearch. 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. Have in mind that some of the installed files installed by SuperPDFSearch browser hijacker may be named in a completely different way so that they can be hard to find, hence, hard to remove.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us at our email.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove SuperPDFSearch from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of SuperPDFSearch from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove SuperPDFSearch from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase SuperPDFSearch from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall SuperPDFSearch from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove SuperPDFSearch from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate SuperPDFSearch from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove SuperPDFSearch from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove SuperPDFSearch
Step 2: Uninstall SuperPDFSearch 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by SuperPDFSearch 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 SuperPDFSearch 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.
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of SuperPDFSearch from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall SuperPDFSearch and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 SuperPDFSearch 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 SuperPDFSearch files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SuperPDFSearch, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove SuperPDFSearch 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 SuperPDFSearch 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 SuperPDFSearch 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 SuperPDFSearch 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 SuperPDFSearch will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate SuperPDFSearch 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.
