Removal instructions for software causing redirects to privacysearchapp.net

What is privacysearchapp.net?

Our researchers discovered the privacysearchapp.net website while investigating the Privacy Search browser extension. On our test machine, this piece of software modified browser settings and produced redirects landing on privacysearchapp.net. This behavior is reminiscent of browser hijackers.

How do redirects to privacysearchapp.net occur?

During our analysis, we learned that Privacy Search assigns privacysearchapp.net as the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URL. Hence, whenever a web search is entered into the URL bar or a new browser tab/window is opened – it results in redirects to privacysearchapp.net.

However, this webpage cannot provide search results and redirects to the Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). Privacysearchapp.net might land elsewhere since redirects can be influenced by factors like user geolocation.

As mentioned in the introduction, the way that the Privacy Search extension operates is akin to browser-hijacking software – hence, it might share other traits as well.

Browser hijackers often utilize persistence-ensuring techniques, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Software within this category usually has data-tracking abilities and uses them to collect browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can be shared with or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Privacy Search browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Privacy Search
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	104.21.112.1
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling).
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Fake search engine and browser hijacker examples

We have written about countless fake search engines and browser hijackers; animaltabnow.com, freshfruittab.com – are but a couple examples of the former, and QuickSeek, SearchNinja – of the latter.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and innocuous. Users may be promised various functionalities that lure them into download/installation. However, these functions are rarely operational. Keep in mind that even if an extension or an app functions as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of legitimacy or safety.

How did privacysearchapp.net promoting software install on my computer?

We downloaded Privacy Search from its official promotional webpage. Software of this kind could also be promoted on scam sites. Users mainly access these pages via redirects caused by websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is a prevalent distribution technique as well. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by approaching installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements are another proliferation method. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. When installing, it is important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look innocuous – yet they redirect to unreliable and dangerous websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Screenshot of the permissions asked by the Privacy Search extension:

Appearance of privacysearchapp.net redirecting users to Yahoo:

Screenshots of Privacy Search extension's official promotional website:

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is privacysearchapp.net?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove privacysearchapp.net from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove privacysearchapp.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove privacysearchapp.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Privacysearchapp.net redirect removal:

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 any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Privacysearchapp.net redirect removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.privacysearchapp.net) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "privacysearchapp.net", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the privacy search browser hijacker, 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".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://privacysearchapp.net and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with privacy search browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the privacy search browser hijacker, 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:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit privacysearchapp.net website?

Developing software that produces redirects is motivated by profit.

Is visiting privacysearchapp.net a threat to my privacy?

Possibly, yes. Websites promoted in this manner tend to collect (and sell) visitor data.

How was Privacy Search installed on my computer?

Privacy Search has an official promotional website. However, it could be distributed using other methods like online scams, bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Privacy Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present – after one is removed, the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible when this software is installed. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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