What is Convert 2 pdf now?
As per the designers, Convert 2 PDF Now permits modification of PDF file to different configurations. Your PDF’s easily and quickly been converted, according to them. At first, Convert 2 PDF Now may appear to be honest to goodness and helpful, in any case, this application is probably going to infiltrate your system without consent. Besides, Convert 2 PDF Now records different user’s system data and changes Internet browser alternatives without user’s agreement. Therefore, Convert 2 PDF Now is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and also browser hijacker.
Convert 2 pdf now is an advertising program that is installed in your PC in the form of an extension without your consent. It is a browser hijacker which can create chaos in your system. It can slow down your browsing speed. It starts displaying various ads and other links which can harm your system. It also changes your homepage and search engine settings. It is suggested that you remove it quickly, as it can damage your system.
After effective invasion, Convert 2 PDF Now seizes Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, stealthily altering the default search engine, new tab URL, and home page option by allotting them to search.hconvert2pdfnow.com. These changes may appear to be irrelevant, however, users can't return them back. Convert 2 PDF Now keeps on reassigning browser settings when endeavors are ready to change them. Accordingly, it winds up noticeably difficult to return browser to their past states and users are urged to visit search.hconvert2pdfnow.com when they open another browser tab or search through the URL bar. Convert 2 PDF Now application is basically used to construct search.hconvert2pdfnow.com site traffic at the cost of clients' Internet browsing involvement. Furthermore, Convert 2 PDF Now consistently accumulates different data (for the most part identifying with Internet browsing routines). Gathered information is probably going to incorporate individual details. Convent 2 PDF Now's designers share this data with third party (possibly, digital lawbreakers) who produce income by misusing individual details. This conduct may prompt genuine privacy issues or even data fraud.
Most importantly, it might enter on to your PC without your permission required. After that, it might begin making irritating redirections to its associated sites by showing changed search results. Also, once Convert 2 pdf now hijacks your system, it might turn down some part of your PCs' settings and may alter your start page, the default search engine, new tab page. Indeed, a few people have also detailed about the sudden appearance of related Toolbars, so you should also be careful about that. Nonetheless, the more significant part of them have been experiencing redirections to obscure sites, and they are trying to increase their page rank and income through it.
Also Read: How To Remove Mustang Browser In Easy Steps (Updated)
Affected browsers:
1) Google Chrome
2) Mozilla Firefox
3) Internet Explorer
4) Opera
Techniques used to distribute Convert 2 PDF Now:
- Bundling: The quickest and the most relaxed way of infecting a user’s PC with any malware is through freeware software’s, and in this case the user is equally responsible for authorizing the installation of such malicious program without reading the terms and conditions. Unfortunately, some freeware programs do not uncover that a malicious program will also be installed with it.
- Social Clickjacking: Creators of such infections use online media such as Social Network and tempting advertisements to provoke or let us say in fooling the users to click on the ads, i.e., Update your flash player or win an iPhone.
- Spam emails: These hijackers can get into your computer through malicious email attachments and download links present the body of the mail. This emails usually appear to be from a reputed organization, i.e., Banks and insurance companies.
- It can infect the computer through infected websites or malevolent websites.
- It can also trick you by fake security alert or system updates.
- Torrents & P2P File Sharing: Torrents and files shared on P2P networks have a high probability of being a carrier to such infections.
- It can also infect the computer through portable storage devices like USB stick, portable hard drive or through a disk.
Steps to be followed while installing a freeware program to avoid the installation of browser hijacker and adware
While installing a freeware software or a freeware game make sure you go through the license agreement section and read all the terms and conditions. And If reading the complete terms and condition is too much then while installing the freeware application if the installation offers you “custom and automatic installation”, it is always recommended that you go with the customs process as this would disclose the other programs that might get installed along with it. If you see any additional add-ons or toolbars checked, then remember to uncheck them this would avoid the installation of browser hijacker and adware.
Common symptoms show on a compromised system:
- Web browser crashes frequently when multiple ads flow in at a time.
- Default home page of the web browser changes.
- New add-ons toolbars or extensions are added.
- Whenever a user tries to open anything, he is redirected to a new website which might either display an advertisement or would give security warnings, i.e., a user searches for http://google.com, but he ends up on some advertisement.
- Poor system performance, slow response time as the advertisement would pop out of nowhere on the screen even when the browser is disabled.
- Slow internet browsing speed or internet would stop unexpectedly.
- The operating system would crash now and then, or the computer would boot up for no reason.
- Security program and the inbuilt firewall is disabled.
- New icons are added to the desktop, or suspicious programs are installed.
- Certain system setting and browser settings are disabled or changed.
- Ads pop up even when the browser is not open.
- New tabs open in browser to display ads or search results would always end up with ads.
Also Read: How To Remove Mapstrek Extension From Browser?
Tips to Prevent Convert 2 PDF now from Infecting Your System:
1. Enable your popup blocker: Pop-ups and ads in the websites are the most adoptable tactic used by cybercriminals or developers with the core intention to spread malicious programs. So, avoid clicking uncertain sites, software offers, pop-ups etc.
2. Keep your Windows Updated: To avoid such infections, we recommend that you should always keep your system updated through automatic windows update. By doing this you can keep your device free from virus. According to the survey, outdated/older versions of Windows operating system are an easy target.
3. Third-party installation: Try to avoid freeware download websites as they usually install bundled of software with any installer or stub file.
4. Regular Backup: Regular and periodical backup helps you to keep your data safe in case the system is infected by any kind of virus or any other infection. Thus always backup important files regularly on a cloud drive or an external hard drive.
5. Always have an Anti-Virus: Precaution is better than cure. We recommend that you install an antivirus like McAfee or a good Malware Removal Tool like Download Free Virus Removal Tool
6. Install a powerful ad- blocker for Chrome, Mozilla,and IE.