Remove Prime Updater virus (fake)

Prime Updater is the fake system optimizer also categorized as a PUP

Pr Updater virus

Prime Updater, also known as PrimeUp!, is presented as a program that can automatically update all software on users' PCs. After installation, the tool provides a false list of pending updates while truly downloading other rogue apps such as adware (in some cases, even viruses) that interact with locations such as Windows Task Manager, Registry, and web browsers. Regarding this fact, the application might bring unwanted advertising and redirecting activities along its side. Continuously, security experts tend to classify it as a potentially unwanted program^[1] as it infiltrates users' machines without permission.

SUMMARY
Name	Prime Updater
Type	Potentially unwanted program/fake software updater
Related process	The suspicious program brings the primeupdater.exe file into the system and launches the process in the Task Manager section
Risk	Medium. Even though potentially unwanted applications are not categorized as dangerous computer viruses, they might relate to the installation of other PUPs or even malware
Distribution	Third-party applications are spread by relying on a deceptive technique known as software bundling. PUPs can come bundled in software packages that are downloaded from websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, download.com, cnet.com
Location(s)	If the virus lets some other rogue products infiltrate your computer system, you might experience alterings in your Windows Registry, Task Manager. Also, browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Edge, or Safari might face changes
Elimination recommendations	Download and install reliable anti-malware software if you want to get rid of the potentially unwanted program in an easier and safer way. Also, you can follow the step-by-step guidelines that are added to the end of this article
System/file repair	If you have found some corrupted components on your computer system that are a result of the PUP attack, you can try repairing the objects by using a tool such as Fortect Intego

When users launch their browsers, on the right bottom corner, they find the application icon. In addition, users, who are used to check Task Manager occasionally, will find it running the primeupdater.exe process. Furthermore, the application shows the list of currently available updates for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Skype, Adobe Flash, and other popular programs. However, they are all fake. It’s easy to check if the program is playing with you.

For instance, if it delivers an update for Adobe Flash, visit the official site and install all available updates (if there are any). Within few minutes the application will show you “new” updates for Flash.

Indeed, it’s a trick to convince people into agreeing to install suspicious components on their device that might mess up the system. Nevertheless, fake Flash Player updates are very popular amongst adware and malware spreaders.

Even though you can find the app promoted on primeupdater.com this program mostly spreads in software bundles. Thus, it might enter the system silently and without asking for direct permission.

Once it’s installed, it creates a shortcut on the desktop and starts displaying misleading offers to update software. As we have mentioned in the beginning, this system tool is capable of installing other potentially unwanted or even malicious programs in the form of an update.

Prime Updater

Users might also notice a multitude of advertisements displayed on their Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or other browsers. These ads can be in various forms, including pop-ups, deals, offers, coupons, etc. This content might cover up the background of legitimate websites and disturb web browsing sessions. Additionally, redirects might lead victims to hacked, phishing,^[2] or malware-ridden websites.

You will supposedly experience such activities if Prime Updater virus downloads an ad-supported application to your computer system. Even though adware is not dangerous malware, it might display various surveys and prize claims that require entering personally identifiable information. Be careful and do not share any important data as you might end up with a stolen identity or money from your bank account afterward.

Thus, in order to avoid the infiltration of malware and disturbed browsing sessions, you have to remove the infection immediately. It should be enough to uninstall this program from the Program’s list in the Control Panel. But sometimes, it manages to show up again. It’s possible that this application installs additional components that re-installs it after deletion and they are mostly found in the Registry section.

The PUP can be terminated in two ways – by using reliable software or step-by-step instructions that are added to the end of this article. After Prime Updater removal, check for possible file corruption. If some system components appear to be damaged after the occurrence of suspicious activities, you can try fixing them with a repair program such as Fortect Intego as it might allow you to bring some components back to their previous positions.

Potentially unwanted programs infiltrate users' PCs via bundling

Developers of unwanted programs apply the bundling technique to spread their applications. This software marketing method allows adding applications as an optional component in a software package. These potentially dangerous programs might be attached to any freeware or shareware.

Prime Updater virus

Thus, users who do not install new free programs carefully might unintentionally agree to install suspicious programs. When installing new programs, you have to choose the Advanced/Custom installation wizard because it reveals the list of “optional downloads.” Meanwhile, Quick/Recommended settings do not have this function and install third-party components by default.

However, choosing Advanced settings is not enough. Also, you have to follow each of the steps carefully and unmark all pre-selected entries. What is more, you should also read the Terms and Agreement, EULA,^[3] and Privacy Policy of the downloaded program. It helps to make sure that you do not agree to install the PUP or other malicious apps.

According to experts from LesVirus.fr,^[4] you should also be aware of third-party downloading websites that hold unreliable software and where adware might be injected also. These pages are known as softonic.com, soft32.com, download.com, and cnet.com.

Prime Updater can be removed in two different ways

The PUP removal might be performed either manually or automatically. First of all, we suggest trying to get rid of this program manually. If it still shows up, then opt for the automatic option.

Therefore, go to the Add or Remove Programs (or Uninstall Programs) in Control Panel. Look through the list of installed programs. Once you find application, double-click on it and follow the uninstallation wizard. We also recommend looking up other suspicious applications that might have also sneaked into your computer. It goes without saying that you have to uninstall them as well.

Prime Updater PUP

Then, check all your web browsers and remove suspicious extensions^[5] too. We also suggest resetting the browser’s settings in order to get rid of all virus-related entries. However, if this suspicious system tool still shows up, you should use additional help. In this case, you should remove the Prime Updater virus using a reputable anti-malware program.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:

In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
Then find On startup section.
Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
Select Details tab.
Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:

Click on Menu and go to Settings.
Select Privacy, search and services.
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Under Time range, pick All time.
Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
On the left side, pick Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm with Reset.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
Select Add-ons.
In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

Click Menu and pick Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security section.
Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
Click on Clear Data...
Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

Click on Menu and pick Settings.
Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:

Click menu and choose Settings.
Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

How to remove Prime Updater virus

Prime Updater is the fake system optimizer also categorized as a PUP

Potentially unwanted programs infiltrate users' PCs via bundling