Private Search is a very deceptive and untrustworthy browser extension and title of a search engine that causes a lot of concern. The Private Search extension is known to utilize unethical marketing tactics in order to trick users into installing it or obtain access to a machine it infects without user consent. Once Private Search is installed and attached to an affected browser it will change existing internet browser settings and read all your data on the websites you visit, such as what you search for online, products you guy, your contact information, and more.
The internet browser settings affected by Private Search include your privacy settings, homepage, new tab page, and default search engine. Private Search will replace your settings with eanswers.com (https://www.eanswers.com/private/) and this will cause your browser to redirect to the Private Search search engine when you open a new browser window, open a new browser tab, or search the web via the address bar at the top of your browser window.
Private Search is promoted as a free tool and search engine that allows you to track the web without tracking your search history or any personally identifiable information. Personally identifiable information, also known as PID, is not actually collected by most programs or search engines so to promote itself as a tool that does not collect PID is irrelevant. Although the Private Search extension and Private Search search engine claim to not track your search history and PID, they can still gather information about you and make changes to your existing internet browser settings.
Private Search Extension Permissions
The Private Search extension has very intrusive permissions and permissions that are undesirable and not publicly disclosed. The Private Search extension has permission to read and change your data on the websites you visit and change your privacy-related settings. However, the Private Search extension permissions do not mention that the extension will change your homepage, default search engine, and new tab page in order to redirect you to a website where it can show you sponsored search results and advertisements.
Private Search Distribution Method
Like most adware infections and untrustworthy browser extensions, Private Search primarily bundles with other programs that are downloaded by the user with out without consent. The most common way this happens is by downloading a program or file from a questionable distributor. Downloading items online like freeware, open source software, and torrent files can essentially result in potentially unwanted programs infecting the user’s system. Even if a program is well known and trustworthy, downloading it from a malicious site will lead to infection.
If the computer user has recently downloaded a malicious program, Private Search might have automatically downloaded in the background without permission or knowledge of the user. The user might also be tricked into accepting the download under the guise of a program update. Malicious authors often hide the download behind a terms and conditions page, effectively tricking users into downloading adware. In some instances Private Search may be advertised as an extension to improve the user’s browsing experience in order to encourage a direct download. Regardless of how the system was infected, removal remains relatively unchanged.
Private Search Details
| Name | Private Search, PrivateSearch, Private Search virus |
| Detection Categories | Adware, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Description | With Private Search you can search the web without tracking your search history or any personally identifiable information |
| Symptoms | Advertisements and sponsored search results in the web browser Browser redirects to sponsored webpages Decreased internet speed and performance Decreased computer functionality and performance Bundles with or is promoted alongside malware and other potentially unwanted programs |
| Common Path(s) | N/A |
| Quick Detection & Removal Tool | Click Here To Download Malwarebytes |
How to remove Private Search (Virus Removal Instructions)
The Private Search removal instructions on this webpage will help you remove Private Search, viruses, malware, and other threats from your computer and internet browser. To remove Private Search and other threats from your computer please follow and complete each step in order.
- Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
- Scan your computer with HitmanPro
- Remove Private Search extension
- Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
1. Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
The first step to remove Private Search and other threats from your computer is to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software in order to perform a full system scan for malicious files.
1. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
3. When the Malwarebytes scan is complete click the Remove Selected button.
4. To finish the Malwarebytes scan and remove detected threats click the Finish button and restart your computer if promoted to do so.
2. Scan your computer with HitmanPro
The second step to remove Private Search and other threats from your computer is to download and install a second opinion scanner called HitmanPro by Surfright in order to perform a full system scan for malicious files.
1. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
2. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
3. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
4. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
5. Click the Reboot button.
3. Remove Private Search extension
The third step to remove Private Search is to manually remove the Private Search extension from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Apple Safari.
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the Private Search extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.
2. Search for the Private Search add-on and click Remove.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Go to Tools (Alt+X) and click Manage add-ons.
2. Search for the Private Search add-on in the list, select it with your mouse, and click Remove.
Apple Safari
1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Search for the Private Search extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
4. Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
The fourth step to remove Private Search and other threats from your computer is to download and install CCleaner by Piriform in order to delete leftover junk files, tracking cookies, registry entries, unwanted start-up tasks, and more.
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