EasyDocMerge Newtab Hijacker - How to remove

EasyDocMerge is the name of a browser extension for merging multiple PDF files into one. It can also help convert documents to and from the PDF format. Unfortunately, EasyDocMerge is somewhat predatory and uses its access to your browser to get your browsing history, to redirect your search queries, and to raise the popularity of related websites by forcing users to go there.

This little application is found to be unwanted by multiple antivirus programs. EasyDocMerge goes from bad to worse as we examine why it exists and how it spreads. Still, this hijacker is not malware and it’s nothing illegal. It can be used without fear of being hacked or having your private information stolen, though EasyDocMerge does compromise user experience and is dishonest all the way through.

Generally, hijackers are developed to look like useful utility apps. Once they get added to a browser, they use that access to manipulate browser behavior and spy on the user’s activity. This is used to advertise to the user.

EasyDocMerge might not be malware, but it does have problems that make it trip the alarms of antivirus protection:

Classification	Adware Browser hijacker
Problems with EasyDocMerge	Taking over the browser unnecessarily Asking for excessive permissions Using deception to spread Behaving like adware
Distribution	Aggressive ads in streaming and filesharing sites Freeware bundles
EasyDocMerge removal	Delete malware (Combo Cleaner for Mac OS, SpyHunter for Windows) Remove unwanted extensions from your browser manually Restore browser settings

EasyDocMerge hijacks the browser

Newtab virus

The EasyDocMerge hijacker is based on an ugly and impractical template that replaces the new tab page with its own site. For example, if you use the Chrome browser and have the default new tab page – the one with a Google search bar in the middle – EasyDocMerge will replace that with its own site, hp.myway.com/easydocmerge/ttab02/index.html. This is one of the most obvious browser hijacker symptoms:

• Replacing the home page and the new tab page with its own.
• Setting a new search engine (like Yahoo or MyWay).
• Trying to install other extensions.

Other types of hijackers exist too, ones that take over the search bar but leave the new tab page alone. EasyDocMerge is the opposite. Either way, the goal is to track and control the user. It’s not like the creators of Newtab viruses don’t understand that their design is poor and unlikeable, they release these add-ons because they find that effective at redirecting the search queries of the user and that’s all that matters.

EasyDocMerge is made by Mindspark, which means that the search engines that it promotes are MyWay and Ask. This company is infamous for its many hijacker extensions that span various topics and don’t provide any in-depth functionality: EasyHomeDecorating, DailyFunnyWorld, MyQuickLotto, and others. These hijackers and EasyDocMerge are basically just toolbars with minimal effort put into them. They are not representative of what browser extensions can be at their best – awesome and transformative additions to your browser. Instead, these unwanted add-ons abuse their access to your browser to extract your browsing history and spy on your keywords.

Poor functionality

If you find yourself needing your PDF files to be converted, merged, or edited somehow, EasyDocMerge might be able to help you, but it’s definitely not the best solution.

What EasyDocMerge does is set your new tab to a page that has links to PDF converter sites. These sites are safer than a lot of other file conversion sites considering they’re not filled with annoying pop-ups. However, these sites are still accessible without the extension. Considering that the EasyDocMerge hijacker is basically adware, you’re definitely still paying for the conversion indirectly.

Occasionally converting files, various websites might serve well. But remember that they’re performing the conversion in some server, so your personal files get sent there. Not to mention that, if you can’t set parameters for the conversion, you won’t get the best results. A desktop application would be a lot better for regular use – that way, you get more control and more privacy.

Installation and removal of EasyDocMerge

The EasyDocMerge extension is popular in Argentina, Brazil, and other countries all over the world. It spreads using a few methods common among newtab hijackers:

• Pop-up ads in shady websites, like various pirate sites and file conversion sites.
• Redirects and ads by adware pages, like Dolohen.com.
• Installed because it was “required” when trying to download a file or access content online.
• Installed by a free program downloaded from the internet.

EasyDocMerge’s family of newtab hijackers are common to see promoted by adware sites very aggressively. For example, some online streaming pages have pop-up ads for EasyDocMerge that prevent the stream from being watched. Some people complain that sites required them to install the extension to continue using them (that was just deceptive marketing). And some people simply found the extension installed by itself without having ever seen it before, which could be explained by bundlers carrying it inside (bundlers are free programs that, during their installation, install additional applications without warning you about them).

EasyDocMerge can be installed manually and used without much trouble. Just be aware that the extension is a bit of a privacy risk and an adware infection, so it’s not the safest add-on to a browser.

If you want, EasyDocMerge can be uninstalled by editing browser settings, though there’s a chance that you will need to remove some malware from your computer first. You can use an antivirus scanner like SpyHunter for Windows or Combo Cleaner for MacOS to find malicious files.

Automatic Malware removal tools

TopRemoving EasyDocMerge Newtab Hijacker from Chrome

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Google Chrome window. Select “Settings”.
  
• Click “Extensions” on the left menu bar.
• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to EasyDocMerge. Click on the trash bin icon next to EasyDocMerge Newtab Hijacker or other add-ons you want to remove.
  
• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.
  
• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.
  
• Restart Chrome.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to EasyDocMerge, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
  
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on the Reset settings button.
  
• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemove malicious extensions from Internet Explorer

• Press on the Gear icon→Manage Add-ons.
  
• Go through Toolbars and extensions. Remove everything related to EasyDocMerge Newtab Hijacker and items you do not know that are made not by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Oracle or Adobe.
  
• Close the Options.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to EasyDocMerge, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Press on the Gear icon->Internet Options.
  
• Choose the Advanced tab and click on the Reset button.
  
• Select a “Delete personal settings” checkbox and click on the Reset button.
  
• Click on the Close button on the confirmation box, then close your browser.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemoving EasyDocMerge Newtab Hijacker from Firefox

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (or press Ctrl+Shift+A on your keyboard).
  
• Go through Extensions and Addons list, remove everything EasyDocMerge related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to EasyDocMerge Newtab Hijacker, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
  
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.