How to uninstall the PDF Mighty potentially unwanted application?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
PDF Mighty removal instructions
What is PDF Mighty?
PDF Mighty is a piece of rogue software, endorsed as a tool capable of converting files (e.g. Microsoft Office documents) into the PDF format. However, due to the dubious methods used to distribute this application, it is classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application). One of the primary purposes of PDF Mighty is to promote the SearchMighty browser hijacker. Furthermore, PUAs often have unmentioned heinous abilities and the advertised features - are rarely operational.
PUAs typically appear legitimate and offer a broad range of "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised and in most cases - they do not work at all. Some PUAs (e.g. fake anti-viruses) require activation (i.e. purchase) to perform the promised features, yet following activation - they remain nonoperational. PDF Mighty promotes another PUA - SearchMighty. This piece of software is categorized as a browser hijacker. It operates by assigning the addresses of fake search engines as browsers' homepage, new browser tab/window and default search engine URLs. Hence, with a browser hijacker installed: every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address. Illegitimate search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other genuine ones. Browser hijackers can also restrict/deny access to the browsers' settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. PUAs can have varied heinous abilities and they can be in different combinations. Unwanted apps can force-open unreliable and dangerous webpages. Adware-types deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns, i.e. enable the placement of pop-ups, banners, surveys, etc. - on any visited website. These ads are more than just a nuisance, they are considered to be harmful as well. Once clicked on, intrusive adverts redirect to untrustworthy/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install software. What is more, most PUAs (browser hijackers included) can track data. They can monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). This sensitive information is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, presence of unwanted applications on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspicious apps and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.
| Name | PDF Mighty potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
| Supposed Functionality | File format conversion |
| Detection Names | SecureAge APEX (Malicious), Panda (PUP/BundleOffer), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about 'found issues'. Asks for payment to eliminate the supposedly found errors. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
PC Gold Optimizer and system repair, ID SafeXpress, Registry Cleaner, DiskFixer - are some examples of other potentially unwanted applications, LiveSportSearch, ConverterSearchTool, MagicMovieSearch - and of browser hijackers. As mentioned in the introduction, unwanted software appears ordinary and harmless. However, the only goal of PUAs is to generate revenue for the developers; hence, functionality and user safety are irrelevant. Instead of delivering on any promises, these apps can cause redirects, modify browsers, run intrusive ad campaigns, collect vulnerable and personally identifiable information.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Select PUAs (e.g. PDF Mighty) have "official" promotional webpages from which they can be downloaded. They can also be downloaded/installed together with other software. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling". By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. by ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) - users risk inadvertently allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. When clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to always research software products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Since untrustworthy download channels, like: unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - often offer harmful and/or bundled content. Download and installation processes must be treated with caution; that includes - reading terms, studying all available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opting-out from additional apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, however they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g. adult-dating, pornography, gambling, and so on). Should users experience such ads and/or redirects, they must inspect their devices and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Installation setup of PDF Mighty application:
Website promoting PDF Mighty application:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is PDF Mighty?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove malicious plug-ins from Internet Explorer.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
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.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 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.
Mac 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 "PDF Mighty" and other suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
At time of research, PDF Mighty did not install any unwanted browser extensions, however, some unwanted applications can be installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you experience unwanted ads or redirects when browsing the internet, continue with the removal guide below.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the pdf mighty potentially unwanted application, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with pdf mighty potentially unwanted application 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the pdf mighty potentially unwanted application, 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.
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 browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the pdf mighty potentially unwanted application, 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.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove pdf mighty potentially unwanted application from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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