Do you know what PDFSearchio is?
PDFSearchio is not an extension that is likely to be useful for you in any way. It is not even introduced in a transparent way. In the past, it could be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store, but the installer has been taken down, and it is unlikely to show up again. Our research team has managed to find out that Chrome users were often redirected to the installer on the Chrome Web Store via install.pdfsearchio.com. When you visit this page, it presents a fake “Error on page, address could not be found” message along with a “continue” button. If you clicked it in the past, it would route to an installer on the Chrome Web Store. Right now, it opens install1.notify-service.com and asks to allow notifications. All in all, regardless of how you installed this PUP (potentially unwanted program), you want to delete it. Are you ready to remove PDFSearchio?
If you have come across portal.pdfsearchio.com in the past, you know that the interface of this search engine-like page offers a file converter and also currency converters. That being said, if you have installed the PUP, this page should not be introduced to you. The PUP only introduces feed.pdfsearchio.com, which is set as the default search provider. That is exactly how SearchConverters, StreamBrosSearch, BestPDFSearch, ConverterzSearch, and other known PUPs work as well. In fact, their versions of the “portal” page share the same interface as well, which is why we consider them to be clones of one another. Clearly, there is something fishy going on with these PUPs, and the fact that they can be presented via malicious pop-ups or redirects is truly disconcerting. That being said, it becomes clear that they should be removed only once a closer look is taken.
Once PDFSearchio is installed, it changes your default search provider, and that is meant to introduce you to Yahoo Search. However, the results you find on search.yahoo.com are not normal results. At least, not the results you would normally find if you used Yahoo Search on its own. The PUP modifies the results, and that is meant to help its creator promote third-party content. Why is it promoted? Most likely, for the purpose of making money. Unfortunately, we do not know how the creator of PDFSearchio vets the parties that are using its search platform. We also do not know if the creator itself can be trusted with handling your personal and non-personal information. Unfortunately, cookies are employed to collect user-related data, and it could even be used to personalize the ads that are shown. Ultimately, we do not know what kinds of ads could be shown, and that is why we have to consider that interacting with them could be risky.
If you want to follow the manual removal guide below, do so carefully. Of course, even the less experienced Google Chrome users should be able to delete PDFSearchio manually. That being said, although this is a valid option, we do not recommend it to those who need to delete other PUPs or malicious threats, or those whose operating systems are inherently weak and vulnerable. If you do not know if other PUPs or threats exist, install a trusted malware scanner. If you do not know if your system is vulnerable, look at what security systems are employed. If those do not exist, we advise installing anti-malware software that, at the same time, will be able to remove PDFSearchio and all other existing threats automatically.
Remove PDFSearchio from Chrome
- Open the browser.
- Simultaneously tap Alt+F keys on the keyboard.
- In the Chrome menu at the top, click More tools.
- Select Extensions and then Remove the PUP.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3.
- Select Clear browsing data and then click Advanced.
- Pick a time range and boxes you want.
- Click the Clear data button.
In non-techie terms:
Your operating system requires full-time protection, and you can provide it at the same time as you delete PDFSearchio. You can ensure that by implementing a reliable anti-malware tool that can simultaneously secure and clean your system. And why do you need to secure your system against PUPs like this one? That is because they might be able to expose you to unreliable content and also track data that may or may not be accessible to unreliable parties. Given that PDFSearchio does not offer any useful service, we advise that you remove it without hesitation. If you are not yet ready to implement security software, get rid of the unwanted extension manually, using the guide at the top.