What is ConvertoPDF?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that ConvertoPDF is a browser NewTab. These so-called "NewTabs" can manipulate your browser(s), for example to change your startpage or searchscopes, so that the affected browser visits their site or one of their choice.
How do I know if my computer is affected by ConvertoPDF?
You may see this browser extension:
these warnings during install:
You may see this icon in your browsers menu-bar:
this new startpage:
and this new setting:
How did ConvertoPDF get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from the webstore:
after a redirect from their website:
How do I remove ConvertoPDF?
Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
You can use their own uninstall instructions first, but I would advise to follow the steps below anyway.
- Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
- Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- Then click Finish.
- Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
- If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
- When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
- Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes ConvertoPDF completely.
- If your browsers have been hijacked, you should read our Restore Browser page. You can read there how to fix additional browser redirect methods.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.
Technical details for experts
Possible signs in a FRST log:
CHR NewTab: Default -> Active:"chrome-extension://hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj/html/newtab.html" CHR Extension: (ConvertoPDF) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj [2019-04-02]Changes made by the installers:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0 Adds the file Archive created by free jZip.url"="11/26/2013 10:21 AM, 58 bytes, A Adds the file manifest.json"="4/2/2019 9:44 AM, 1279 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\_metadata Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="4/2/2019 9:44 AM, 15528 bytes, A Adds the file verified_contents.json"="2/21/2019 11:18 AM, 2611 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\css Adds the file style.css"="2/21/2019 11:17 AM, 6685 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\html Adds the file newtab.html"="2/21/2019 11:17 AM, 3689 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\icons Adds the file checker.gif"="2/21/2019 11:17 AM, 1095 bytes, A Adds the file ConvertoPDF-128.png"="4/2/2019 9:44 AM, 9006 bytes, A Adds the file sprite.png"="2/21/2019 11:17 AM, 1234262 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\images Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js Adds the file brand.js"="2/21/2019 11:17 AM, 612 bytes, A Adds the file common.js"="2/21/2019 11:17 AM, 336 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js\bg Adds the file background.js"="2/21/2019 11:17 AM, 11958 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js\newtab Adds the file clock.js"="2/21/2019 11:17 AM, 5855 bytes, A Adds the file searchItem.js"="2/21/2019 11:17 AM, 6055 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings] "hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj"="REG_SZ", "3B7F459F2068EE2300EB2802C769E92928DEBDB27FB5CF04BDEBB0F0E976B6CC"The Malwarebytes scan log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 4/2/19 Scan Time: 9:55 AM Log File: ae95cce2-551c-11e9-849a-00ffdcc6fdfc.json -Software Information- Version: 3.7.1.2839 Components Version: 1.0.563 Update Package Version: 1.0.9964 License: Premium -System Information- OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {computername}\{username} -Scan Summary- Scan Type: Threat Scan Scan Initiated By: Manual Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 235921 Threats Detected: 27 Threats Quarantined: 27 Time Elapsed: 4 min, 7 sec -Scan Options- Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Detect PUM: Detect -Scan Details- Process: 0 (No malicious items detected) Module: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Key: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Value: 1 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GOOGLE\CHROME\PREFERENCEMACS\Default\extensions.settings|hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 10 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js\newtab, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\images, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\icons, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js\bg, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\html, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\css, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\HNHJKKEENGKIOFPDDIOOCMDHOKEJGNCJ\1.0.833.445_0, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 File: 16 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\HNHJKKEENGKIOFPDDIOOCMDHOKEJGNCJ\1.0.833.445_0\JS\BRAND.JS, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\css\style.css, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\html\newtab.html, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\icons\checker.gif, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\icons\ConvertoPDF-128.png, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\icons\sprite.png, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js\bg\background.js, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js\newtab\clock.js, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js\newtab\searchItem.js, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\js\common.js, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\Archive created by free jZip.url, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 PUP.Optional.BlpSearch.Generic, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\hnhjkkeengkiofpddioocmdhokejgncj\1.0.833.445_0\manifest.json, Quarantined, [14642], [443081],1.0.9964 Physical Sector: 0 (No malicious items detected) WMI: 0 (No malicious items detected) (end)The full version of Malwarebytes could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
- Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
- Malware Execution Prevention