Do you know what PDFConverterSearchHQ is?
Do not be mistaken. PDFConverterSearchHQ is not a tool that will convert PDF files for you. It is an extension that you can install on Google Chrome, but it cannot offer you more than a useless search tool. Why is it useless? Can it not find search results? Well, in fact, it can offer search results, but they cannot be trusted, which means that you should not use the tool. And if you cannot use the only function of an extension, it is worthless. You might have your own reasons to remove PDFConverterSearchHQ from your browser, and if that is the case, perhaps you are not interested in learning more. The guide below shows how to delete this PUP manually. That said, we suggest that you continue reading so that you could learn more about the extension, how it actually works, and the different ways in which you can eliminate it.
According to our research team, PDFConverterSearchHQ is a clone of ConvertItSearch, AnyStationSearch, TheConverterSearch, and many other identical Chrome extensions. Their names suggest that they can offer some kinds of useful services, but all of them are useless search tools. Even the description placed along with the installers on the Chrome Web Store reiterates that. If you downloaded the extension from chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pdfconvertersearchhq/bfollghjlklkdbljkflpfpkpikbfaljo, you might have read that it represents itself as a “single purpose extension.” Clearly, it is useless. If you did not install the PUP (potentially unwanted program) from this source, perhaps you were introduced to it by a third-party installer? If that is the case, you should stop reading this report for now and immediately install a malware scanner. You have to make sure that additional threats were not installed along with the PUP. If they were, you ought to delete them immediately.
PDFConverterSearchHQ screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Of course, whether PDFConverterSearchHQ was installed on its own or along with other pieces, it acts the same. It sets feed.pdfconvertersearchhq.com as your browser’s default search provider, and you activate it whenever you enter keywords into the browser’s address bar. What happens when this search tool is activated? Well, it redirects to Yahoo Search. According to our team, the results are modified, and that is what makes the service unreliable. For all you know, links from unreliable and malicious parties could be injected, and you could create problems for yourself by interacting with them. We have to consider this possibility since the creator of the extension does not discuss the associated parties in the Privacy Policy much. To make matters more complicated, the PUP is also capable of tracking your browsing activity, and note that that could help them select the most attractive third-party links.
Deleting PDFConverterSearchHQ is not the only thing you need to think about, even if additional threats have not been found by the malware scanner. Another thing you need to think about is your system’s security. If the PUP is the only thing you are dealing with, you are lucky, but do not assume that your luck will not run out. This is the perfect time to take care of your system’s protection, and we suggest installing anti-malware software without hesitation. If additional threats exist, this software can be particularly helpful since it can remove threats and their components automatically.
Remove PDFConverterSearchHQ
- Open Google Chrome.
- Move to the address bar at the top and enter chrome://extensions.
- Identify the undesirable extension and click the Remove button next to it.
- Enter chrome://settings/clearBrowserData into the address bar.
- Choose Advanced instead of Basic.
- Select a time range and boxes you want and click Clear data.
In non-techie terms:
If you can delete unwanted Chrome extensions, you can delete PDFConverterSearchHQ as well. Of course, besides eliminating the PUP, you might also want to clear browsing data to ensure that no data-tracking tools are left behind. It is also a great idea to scan your system afterward, if you have not done that yet to make sure that additional threats exist. If you are unable to remove PDFConverterSearchHQ and all other threats yourself, or if you want to take this opportunity to enhance your system’s security, this is the time to implement anti-malware software. If you are not interested in that, at the very least scan your system after you complete the steps presented above. Should you want to ask us questions or discuss the PUP more, we welcome all comments below.