How to remove Privoxy (Virus Removal Guide)

How to remove Privoxy (Virus Removal Guide)

Privoxy (also searched for as Privoxy virus) is an advertisement-supported potentially unwanted program (PUP) that usually downloads and installs without user consent or knowledge. The Privoxy program can automatically install in the background while you work on your computer or browse the web. Privoxy is also associated with various unwanted programs and registry modifications. Once the “Privoxy virus” has been contracted users may notice unwanted pop-up ads and browser redirects when they use an affected internet browser.

Privoxy

What is Privoxy?

Third-party software bundlers and download managers usually promote Privoxy or programs that install it as free browser plugins that can help you find coupons and deals for the products you search for and view online.

Privoxy adware generates deceptive and intrusive pop-up ads across Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. Ads by Privoxy  are defined as ‘targeted’ ads because they use your personal browsing information (including all your data on the websites you visit) to produce advertisements it feels you are most likely to click on. The adware basically ‘targets’ you based off your current and past browsing habits.

Privoxy adware is not technically defined as a computer virus but this adware is still a threat to your privacy and can be the sign of a severe malware infection. The internet security community strongly recommends that you remove Privoxy if you find it installed on your machine or attached to your internet browser as a browser add-on or extension and use reputable Antivirus or Anti-Malware software to eradicate any existing malicious files.

How did Privoxy get on my computer?

Privoxy and programs like it are usually contracted without knowledge. Privoxy is often bundled inside third-party software downloaders and bundlers. It may arrive on a computer system once other programs have been introduced to the machine. Software that Privoxy adware may bundle with includes freeware, shareware, and dubious torrent files.

[fancy_box title=”Privoxy overview”]

  • Privoxy bundles with other potentially unwanted programs and malware.
  • Privoxy is usually bundled inside installers and downloaders distributed as dubious torrents or as freeware programs distributed by websites similar to download.com and softonic.com.
  • Privoxy injects visited webpages with pop-up and in-text advertisements.
  • Privoxy makes unwanted changes to existing Windows settings and schedules new tasks which allow it to run every time Windows starts and check to see if the program has been disabled. If the program is disabled it will enable itself.

[/fancy_box]

How to remove Privoxy virus

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Option 1: Automatically remove Privoxy virus with Malwarebytes

1. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.

[button link=”https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/cookie?affiliate=23046&redirectto=http%3a%2f%2fdownloads.malwarebytes.org%2ffile%2fmbam%2f&redirecthash=79CD12ECAB939D32967B5D05C6C86E32″ align=”center” bgcolor=”#ff0000″ hoverbgcolor=”#c71414″ hovertextcolor=”#ffffff” textcolor=”#ffffff” size=”large” style=”flat” fullwidth=”false”]Download “Privoxy” removal tool[/button]

2. Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software once it has finished installing.

3. Make sure that Malwarebytes has been updated. To ensure it is updated click Update Now on the Dashboard.

Malwarebytes scan for Privoxy

4. Click the large Scan Now button on the dashboard to perform a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.

5. When the scan is complete click the Remove Selected button and then click the Finish button or restart your computer if Malwarebytes suggests that you do so.

[note align=”left”]If you are still having issues removing Privoxy we suggest that use a second opinion scanner such as HitmanPro 3 to locate and remove any computer infection that may be present. You may also proceed to option 2 below and view our additional tips to remove Privoxy.[/note]

Option 2: Manually remove Privoxy

How to uninstall Privoxy

1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.

2. Click Uninstall a program (or Add and remove program) in the Programs section.

3. Search for Privoxy in the list of installed programs and select it with your mouse, then click Uninstall. You can also double click Privoxy to uninstall it.

[note align=”left”]If you do not find Privoxy in your list of installed program you may need to uninstall additional programs that may have bundled with it. You can view our additional tips to remove Privoxy below.[/note]

How to remove Privoxy add-ons and extensions

Google Chrome

1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.

2. Search for the Privoxy extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.

2. Search for the Privoxy add-on and click Remove.

Apple Safari

1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.

2.  Search for the Privoxy extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.

[note align=”left”]If you do not find Privoxy in your list of add-ons and extensions you may need to remove additional attachments that may have bundled with it. You can view our additional tips to remove Privoxy below.[/note]

Privoxy virus removal tips
  • If you do not find Privoxy in your list of installed programs you may need to uninstall additional programs. Additional programs may include suspicious titles that may have been contracted around the same time or after the initial infection.
  • If you are still having issues removing Privoxy you should use a second opinion scanner such as HitmanPro 3. HitmanPro 3 is the best second opinion scan and removal tool. It can be used to locate and remove remaining threats.

Sean Doyle

Sean is a distinguished tech author and entrepreneur with over 20 years of extensive experience in cybersecurity, privacy, malware, Google Analytics, online marketing, and various other tech domains. His expertise and contributions to the industry have been recognized in numerous esteemed publications. Sean is widely acclaimed for his sharp intellect and innovative insights, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the tech community. His work not only advances the field but also helps businesses and individuals navigate the complexities of the digital world.

4 Responses

  1. Jake says:

    Privoxy is not a virus. It was probably set up by your local system administrator to filter access to local services.

  2. Gaston says:

    Solved for me as well!
    In Task Scheduler I found one malious task, Anti Virus Service. That is not an original Microsoft Task. Stopped and deleted that service, and I found in C:\program files also two folders that are not originally installed by Microsoft. Those 2 folders were c:\program files\Anti Virus Services and c:\program files\system protector. Deleted both folders, and restarted the service in the Task Manager and the system cannot find the path anymore, so now is the virus deleted!

    Thanks for your advice.

  3. johnwerneken says:

    Found It! THANK YOU!

    On offending partition now.
    Went Start > control panel > administrative tools > task scheduler; 111 tasks

    Opera and Privoxy (aka “Jelbruss Secure WEb”, heck of a name for malware)

    Deleted both.

    Need three or so re-boots to feel sure, but I think it’s gone.

  4. john werneken says:

    Definitely malware. one of my partitions re-aquires it routinely but not on the majortity of boots. install agent, something similar to ‘install agent user broker’, then opera, then privoxy, then some other nuisance, of which here are the properties of one: “Aperiam ducimus nesciunt veniam aut.

    GPUpd56FC30340.exe

    borer, schuster and greenholt
    version 6.8.7.3 of 3/30/16
    707 kb”

    it’s not that hard to kill – stop task, remove files – but it sure is a pita.

    i cant find anything in regedit. I’ve never used ‘scheduled tassks’, perhaps looking there will help.

    i sure wish windows defender killed this SOB but it does not.

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