How to uninstall the PrivAci potentially unwanted application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is PrivAci?
Our researchers found PrivAci in a bundled installer promoted by a deceptive page, which was discovered during a routine investigation of a Torrenting website that utilizes rogue advertising networks.
PrivAci is a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application). Typically, these apps possess harmful capabilities. It is noteworthy that the setup containing PrivAci included other dubious software.
Potentially unwanted application overview
Potentially unwanted applications usually have dangerous functionalities. By far the most prevalent capability of these apps is data tracking. Information of interest may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, and so on. This sensitive data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
PUAs can also operate as advertising-supported software (adware). These abilities include displaying ads and generating redirects. The third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, coupons, overlays, banners, etc.) can be placed on visited websites, desktops, or other interfaces.
The advertisements can endorse misleading and malicious content. When clicked on, some of the ads can carry out stealthy downloads/installations.
Browser-hijacking is another potential functionality of unwanted applications. Software within this category changes browser settings (e.g., homepages, default search engines, new browser tabs/windows, etc.) in order to promote fake search engines. Users can be forced to visit the endorsed sites when they open a new browser tab/window or enter a search query into the URL bar.
Illegitimate search engines usually cannot produce search results and redirect to genuine Internet search websites (e.g., Yahoo, Bing, Google, etc.). Those that can provide search results generate inaccurate ones, which may include sponsored, unreliable, deceptive, and possibly harmful content.
PUAs can have a variety of other capabilities, and as such – their presence on systems is linked to serious threats. Unwanted software may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | PrivAci potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) |
| Detection Names (installer) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (app) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Rogue redirects. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling). |
| Damage | Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), privacy issues, 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 Combo Cleaner. |
Potentially unwanted application examples
We have written about numerous PUAs; PubQuo, PubSurf, and JoisApp are merely a couple of our latest articles.
Potentially unwanted applications usually appear legitimate and useful. However, they seldom operate as promised, and in most cases – their advertised features are nonfunctional. Unwanted apps classed as fake anti-viruses are a prime example.
It must be emphasized that even if an application or a browser extension operates exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that alone does not guarantee legitimacy or safety.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
We downloaded an installer containing PrivAci (alongside other programs) from a deceptive webpage. It was accessed via a redirect caused by a Torrent site that uses rogue advertising networks. Users can also get redirected to PUA-endorsing pages by intrusive ads, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.
"Bundling" – packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements – is also used to distribute PUAs.
Downloading from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping sections, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.
Additionally, some intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations upon being clicked. These adverts are used to spread unwanted software as well.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. Installation processes must be approached with care, e.g., by reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.
Another recommendation is to be cautious while browsing, as fake and malicious online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, while intrusive advertisements may look innocuous – they redirect users to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
Should you keep encountering ads and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Deceptive website promoting PrivAci application:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner 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 PrivAci?
- 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.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
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 "PrivAci" 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, the installer carrying PrivAci was bundled with other suspect software (e.g., adware, browser hijackers, etc.). 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 extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the privaci 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with privaci 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 privaci 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.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of an unwanted application?
The purpose of unwanted apps is to generate revenue for their designers/publishers. Profit may be made by asking users to buy fake activation keys, collecting/selling private information, promoting in-app purchases, endorsing content, and so forth.
Is PrivAci unwanted application legal?
Typically, unwanted applications are considered legal due to their EULAs (End User License Agreements) informing users of the software's capabilities and modus operandi.
Is having PrivAci installed on my computer dangerous?
Unwanted apps usually possess harmful functionalities (e.g., gathering private data, force-opening dubious/malicious webpages, displaying deceptive/harmful advertisements, etc.). Generally, this software is associated with system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove PrivAci unwanted application?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and remove detected unwanted/malicious applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, various remnants (files) stay hidden within the system after an application has been manually removed. What is more, the remaining components might continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, thorough software removal is essential.
Outstanding!
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