Tab.pdfbaron.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is tab.pdfbaron.com?
PDF Baron is a deceptive application that supposedly allows users to convert PDF files to DOC and vice versa. This functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, PDF Baron is a form of unwanted software that stealthily modifies Internet browser options without permission.
Furthermore, this app often infiltrates systems without permission and potentially records various data (mostly relating to users' browsing habits).
Following infiltration, PDF Baron hijacks Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, stealthily assigning the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to tab.pdfbaron.com (a fake Internet search engine). Although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them.
Research shows that PDF Baron continues to reassign these options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are automatically redirected to tab.pdfbaron.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab.
This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience and is behavior is very common to browser-hijacking programs. As mentioned above, PDF Baron records various information that might be personally identifiable. PDF Baron's developers sell this information to third parties. Therefore, the presence of an information tracking app might lead to serious privacy issues.
Furthermore, some browser-hijacking apps are known to mine cryptocurrency or run other unwanted processes in the background, without users' consent.
By stealthily misusing computer resources, these potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) significantly diminish overall performance. For these reasons, if you encounter redirects to tab.pdfbaron.com, uninstall PDF Baron application and its browser extensions, and never visit this site again.
Name | PDF Baron browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
PDF Baron is virtually identical to Polimva, SearchLock, SecurySearch, and dozens of other browser-hijacking applications. Note that all offer different functionality, however, their behavior is identical. PUPs such as PDF Baron are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Claims to provide "useful features" are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
Only a small percentage of browser hijackers provide the features promised - most deliver no real value for regular users. In most cases these apps cause unwanted redirects and gather information. Furthermore, fake search engines often feed users with false search results and malicious ads.
These can lead to other malicious websites. Furthermore, the ads might execute scripts that download and install malware. For these reasons, using a fake Internet search engine is very risky.
How did tab.pdfbaron.com install on my computer?
This browser hijacker has an official download website, however, apps such as PDF Baron are often distributed using malicious ads, and by a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, these PUPs often infiltrate systems without permission, or users install them inadvertently without their consent.
Developers know that users are often careless during software download and installation - they rush and skip steps. Therefore, they hide bundled programs within various sections (usually the "Custom/Advanced" settings) of these processes. By skipping steps and clicking various ads, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to computer safety is caution. For these reasons, pay close attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogues and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
Note also that criminals monetize third party download/installation tools by promoting unwanted software (the bundling method). Therefore, software should be downloaded from official sources only and, preferably, using a direct download link.
Be aware that many malicious ads appear genuine, however, they are distinguishable for their redirects - most lead to survey, adult dating, gambling, pornography, and other dubious websites. If you are redirected to such sites, avoid clicking any ads until all suspicious programs and browser extensions are removed.
Website promoting PDF Baron browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is tab.pdfbaron.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall PDF Baron application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove tab.pdfbaron.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove PDF Baron browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove tab.pdfbaron.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove tab.pdfbaron.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
PDF Baron browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications (for example, "PDF Baron"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the tab.pdfbaron.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
PDF Baron browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://tab.pdfbaron.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "PDF Baron".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the pdf baron browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "PDF Baron" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.tab.pdfbaron.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "tab.pdfbaron.com", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the pdf baron browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "PDF Baron", as well as all other recently-installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://tab.pdfbaron.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "tab.pdfbaron.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with pdf baron browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the pdf baron browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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