What is PDDF Reader?
According to security specialists, PDDF Reader is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to the group of browser hijackers. Browser hijacker is a kind of software that is developed to change the browser settings, and it usually redirects the affected system’s web-browser to some advertisement-related web-sites. A browser hijacker initiates numerous pop-ups, redirects user web searches to its own website, alters the default web-browser search provider or home page, generates multiple pop-up advertisements and installs multiple toolbars on the internet browser. If your internet browser has been hijacked by a browser hijacker you may need to follow manual steps or use a malware removal tool to revert changes made to your web-browsers.
When you’re performing searches using the web-browser that has been affected by PDDF Reader, the search results will be returned from Bing, Yahoo or Google Custom Search. The devs behind PDDF Reader browser hijacker are most probably doing this to make advertisement revenue from the advertisements shown in the search results.
And finally, the PDDF Reader browser hijacker has the ability to gather a wide variety of user info about you such as what web-pages you’re opening, what you’re looking for the Web and so on. This information, in the future, may be sold to third parties.
Take a deep breath. Learn everything you should know about PDDF Reader hijacker removal, how to remove browser hijacker from your web browser and PC system. Find the best free malicious software removal tools here!
How can a browser hijacker get on your personal computer
Browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs such as PDDF Reader can get added to your internet browser or computer when you visit a web page and press an Install button, or when you download and run a dubious program, or when you install free program that includes a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Be very attentive when installing any apps and make sure you deselect any options for bundled apps that you do not want.
Threat Summary
Name | PDDF Reader |
Type | redirect virus, PUP, search provider hijacker, browser hijacker, startpage hijacker |
Affected Browser Settings | search engine, home page, newtab URL |
Distribution | free software installation packages, shady pop up advertisements, fake software updaters |
Symptoms | Popups and new tab pages are loaded without your request. Your browser is redirected to webpages you did not want. Your PC starts automatically installing unexpected software. New web browser toolbars suddenly added on your browser. Unexpected changes in your web-browser such as displaying new tabs you did not open. |
Removal | PDDF Reader removal guide |
How to remove PDDF Reader from Google Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
PDDF Reader is a browser hijacker that you might have difficulty in removing it from your device. Happily, you have found the effective removal guide in this article. Both the manual removal way and the automatic removal method will be provided below and you can just choose the one that best for you. If you have any questions or need assist then type a comment below. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to exit your web browser or reboot your device.
To remove PDDF Reader, use the following steps:
- How to manually remove PDDF Reader
- Automatic Removal of PDDF Reader
- How to stop PDDF Reader redirect
How to manually remove PDDF Reader
Most common browser hijackers may be removed without any antivirus software. The manual browser hijacker removal is few simple steps that will teach you how to remove PDDF Reader . If you do not want to get rid of the browser hijacker in the manually due to the fact that you are an unskilled computer user, then you can run free removal utilities listed below.
Remove PDDF Reader related software through the Control Panel of your personal computer
We advise that you begin the personal computer cleaning process by checking the list of installed software and delete all unknown or questionable software. This is a very important step, as mentioned above, very often the harmful apps such as adware software and hijackers may be bundled with free applications. Uninstall the unwanted applications can remove the intrusive ads or internet browser redirect.
Windows 10, 8.1, 8
Click the MS Windows logo, and then click Search . Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as displayed in the following example.
After the ‘Control Panel’ opens, press the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as displayed in the figure below.
Windows 7, Vista, XP
Open Start menu and choose the ‘Control Panel’ at right as shown in the figure below.
Then go to ‘Add/Remove Programs’ or ‘Uninstall a program’ (MS Windows 7 or Vista) as shown below.
Carefully browse through the list of installed software and delete all questionable and unknown applications. We suggest to click ‘Installed programs’ and even sorts all installed software by date. After you have found anything questionable that may be the PDDF Reader browser hijacker or other PUP (potentially unwanted program), then choose this application and click ‘Uninstall’ in the upper part of the window. If the dubious program blocked from removal, then run Revo Uninstaller Freeware to fully delete it from your PC.
Remove PDDF Reader browser hijacker from Firefox
Resetting your Firefox is good initial troubleshooting step for any issues with your web browser application, including redirects to online ads. Essential information like bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, auto-fill data and personal dictionaries will not be removed.
First, launch the Firefox and click button. It will open the drop-down menu on the right-part of the internet browser. Further, click the Help button () like the one below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web browser adress bar and press Enter. It will display the “Troubleshooting Information” page like the one below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will open the confirmation prompt. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Mozilla Firefox will begin a process to fix your problems that caused by the PDDF Reader browser hijacker. When, it is done, click the “Finish” button.
Remove PDDF Reader from Google Chrome
Reset Google Chrome settings will allow you to completely reset your web browser. The result of activating this function will bring Chrome settings back to its default state. This can delete PDDF Reader and disable malicious extensions. When using the reset feature, your personal information like passwords, bookmarks, browsing history and web form auto-fill data will be saved.
- First, launch the Google Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will display the Google Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the add-on labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, that located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Google Chrome will show the reset settings dialog box as shown on the screen above.
- Confirm the web-browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Remove PDDF Reader browser hijacker from Internet Explorer
First, launch the Internet Explorer, press ) button. Next, press “Internet Options” as displayed on the image below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press Reset button. The Internet Explorer will open the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and press Reset button.
You will now need to reboot your personal computer for the changes to take effect. It will get rid of PDDF Reader hijacker, disable malicious and ad-supported internet browser’s extensions and restore the Internet Explorer’s settings such as newtab, start page and search engine by default to default state.
Automatic Removal of PDDF Reader
Spyware, adware, PUPs and hijackers can be difficult to remove manually. Do not try to get rid of this software without the help of malicious software removal tools. In order to fully remove PDDF Reader from your browser, use professionally developed utilities such as Zemana, MalwareBytes Free and Hitman Pro.
How to get rid of PDDF Reader with Zemana
Zemana Anti-Malware is a malware removal tool developed for Microsoft Windows. This utility will help you remove PDDF Reader browser hijacker, various types of malicious software (including adware and PUPs) from your computer. It has simple and user friendly interface. While the Zemana Free does its job, your computer will run smoothly.
Visit the following page to download Zemana Anti Malware. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
164032 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Once the download is complete, close all windows on your computer. Further, open the install file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up like the one below, press the “Yes” button.
It will open the “Setup wizard” which will help you install Zemana Free on the computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once installation is finished successfully, Zemana will automatically start and you can see its main window like below.
Next, press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the PDDF Reader browser hijacker. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the tool is checking, you can see number of objects and files has already scanned.
When Zemana Free completes the scan, Zemana Anti-Malware will produce a list of unwanted programs and browser hijacker. You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Next” button.
The Zemana will get rid of PDDF Reader hijacker and move the selected threats to the Quarantine. After disinfection is complete, you can be prompted to restart your computer.
Remove PDDF Reader hijacker and malicious extensions with HitmanPro
In order to make sure that no more malicious folders and files linked to PDDF Reader browser hijacker are inside your personal computer, you must run another effective malware scanner. We suggest to use Hitman Pro. No installation is necessary with this tool.
Visit the following page to download the latest version of HitmanPro for Microsoft Windows. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.
After the downloading process is done, open the file location and double-click the Hitman Pro icon. It will run the Hitman Pro utility. If the User Account Control prompt will ask you want to run the application, click Yes button to continue.
Next, press “Next” for scanning your computer for the PDDF Reader browser hijacker. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the Hitman Pro program is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
When the scan is complete, Hitman Pro will open you the results as on the image below.
Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and click “Next” button. It will open a prompt, press the “Activate free license” button. The Hitman Pro will remove PDDF Reader hijacker. Once the clean up is complete, the utility may ask you to reboot your computer.
Delete PDDF Reader browser hijacker with MalwareBytes Free
Manual PDDF Reader hijacker removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by the hijacker can be not fully removed. We advise that use the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) that are completely free your computer of hijacker. Moreover, this free application will allow you to get rid of malware, potentially unwanted apps, adware and toolbars that your PC system may be infected too.
- Visit the following page to download MalwareBytes. Save it on your Desktop.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326384 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- When the download is complete, close all apps and windows on your personal computer. Open a file location. Double-click on the icon that’s named MBsetup.
- Choose “Personal computer” option and click Install button. Follow the prompts.
- Once installation is complete, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the PDDF Reader hijacker. While the tool is scanning, you can see number of objects and files has already scanned.
- After the system scan is finished, you can check all threats found on your PC. When you are ready, press “Quarantine”. When the cleaning procedure is complete, you may be prompted to restart your computer.
The following video offers a few simple steps on how to remove hijackers, adware software and other malicious software with MalwareBytes Free.
How to stop PDDF Reader redirect
To put it simply, you need to use an ad-blocker tool (AdGuard, for example). It’ll stop and protect you from all annoying web sites such as PDDF Reader, ads and pop ups. To be able to do that, the ad blocker application uses a list of filters. Each filter is a rule that describes a malicious web site, an advertising content, a banner and others. The ad-blocker application automatically uses these filters, depending on the web-pages you’re visiting.
- Visit the following page to download the latest version of AdGuard for Windows. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- After downloading it, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the installation is complete, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted ads, block PDDF Reader, as well as other malicious or misleading web-sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon called AdGuard, that may be found on your desktop.
To sum up
Now your device should be free of the PDDF Reader browser hijacker. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop ups and intrusive malicious web sites) and Zemana (to periodically scan your device for new browser hijackers and other malicious software). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.
If you are still having problems while trying to remove PDDF Reader from the Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome and Microsoft Edge, then ask for help here here.