pdfiler (Virus Removal Guide)
pdfiler
pdfiler is an ad serving program that infects the user’s primary web browser for the purpose of posting misleading advertisements. It will commonly infect your computer bundled with the download of a different program from a disreputable client. Once it attaches to your web browser, it will begin collecting your browsing data in order to create tempting advertisements. Some of these ads may lead to malicious sites and result in greater infection. If you notice ads that contain text such as “Ads by pdfiler.” your system is infected.
pdfiler adware has many deceptive techniques for infecting your computer. In some cases it can be downloaded without your consent or knowledge. A common practice among disreputable sites is to bundle malicious programs with a less threatening download. Programs that are usually used include, but are not limited to, freeware, download managers, and torrent files. If your computer had been infected by a different program, then that program could be responsible for downloading pdfiler adware. If this is the case then you would not even be aware that the download was taking place. Though less likely, pdfiler could have been downloaded willingly under the guise of a useful browser extension. Regardless of how your system was infected, the steps for removal will eliminate pdfiler adware.
The purpose of pdfiler adware is to post misleading ads in the user’s primary web browser. Once downloaded, pdfiler adware will infect browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Safari depending and which was set to primary at the time of infection. pdfiler adware will gather the user’s browsing data in order to create ads that appeal to the user’s interests. Since some of these ads lead to malicious content, clicking on one may result in more potentially unwanted programs infecting your system. If you notice signs of infection then it is important that you begin the steps for removal.
If you notice ads by pdfiler in Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari it is recommended to remove the adware immediately and scan your computer with reputable software to locate additional threats that may have been introduced to your system by pdfiler. Our test machine was able to locate hundreds of malicious files that were introduced to our machine alongside this adware.
Threat Details
| Name | pdfiler, pdfiler virus *This infection is not technically defined as a computer virus |
| Detection Categories | Adware, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Description | N/A |
| Symptoms | Advertisements in the web browser Browser redirects to sponsored webpages Decreased internet speed and performance Decreased computer functionality and performance Bundles with malware and other potentially unwanted programs |
| Common Path(s) | C:\Program Files (x86) C:\Users\{USER}\Downloads\ C:\Users\{USER}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage\ |
| Quick Detection & Removal Tool | Click Here To Download Malwarebytes |
How to remove pdfiler (Virus Removal Guide)
This pdfiler removal guide will remove pdfiler, viruses, malware, and other threats from your computer and browser.
- Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
- Scan your computer with HitmanPro
- Uninstall pdfiler and unwanted programs
- Remove pdfiler extension
- Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
Call Virus Removal Helpline: 1-866-521-2427
1. Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
The first step to remove this adware is to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software in order to perform a full system scan for malicious files.
1. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
3. When the Malwarebytes scan is complete click the Remove Selected button.
4. To finish the Malwarebytes scan and remove detected threats click the Finish button and restart your computer if promoted to do so.
2. Scan your computer with HitmanPro
The second step to remove this adware is to download and install a second opinion scanner called HitmanPro by Surfright in order to perform a full system scan for malicious files.
1. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
2. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
3. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
4. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
5. Click the Reboot button.
3. Uninstall pdfiler and unwanted programs
The third step to remove this adware is to uninstall pdfiler and other unwanted programs in Windows Control Panel.
1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.
2. In the Programs section click Uninstall a program. In earlier versions of Windows this is listed as “Add and remove programs.”
3. Search for pdfiler Supporting Application in the list and double click it.
4. Once you have uninstalled pdfiler Supporting Application search for other unwanted programs that may be installed on your computer and uninstall them as well.
4. Remove pdfiler extension
The fourth step to remove this adware is to remove unwanted browser add-ons and extensions from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Apple Safari.
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the pdfiler extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.
2. Search for the pdfiler add-on and click Remove.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Go to Tools (Alt+X) and click Manage add-ons.
2. Search for the pdfiler add-on in the list, select it with your mouse, and click Remove.
Apple Safari
1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Search for the pdfiler extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
5. Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
The fifth step to remove this adware is to download and install CCleaner by Piriform in order to delete leftover junk files, tracking cookies, registry entries, unwanted start-up tasks, and more.
1. Download and Install CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Open CCleaner and go to the main Cleaner screen. Click the Analyze button. When the process is complete, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Go to Tools > Startup and search for suspicious entries in each tab starting from Windows all the way to Content Menu. If you find anything suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
4. Go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.
