SearchPrivacy.co virus: what it is and how to remove it
SearchPrivacy.co is a browser hijacker , so make sure you are not tempted by its looks or name. Keep in mind that its owners are working hard on making it look like a useful search tool that is capable of protecting you while you are browsing the Internet.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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SearchPrivacy.co virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | SearchPrivacy.co virus |
| Type | Fake search engine |
| Symptoms | A changed search engine |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 5 more facts
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Search page | searchprivacy.co |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 19 September 2017 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is SearchPrivacy.co virus dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Sep 2017 · not reviewed since
SearchPrivacy.co serves questionable search results
SearchPrivacy.co is a browser hijacker , so make sure you are not tempted by its looks or name.
Keep in mind that its owners are working hard on making it look like a useful search tool that is capable of protecting you while you are browsing the Internet. However, SearchPrivacy.co virus cannot be considered a trustworthy program no matter what.
The main fact which is related to this browser hijacker is that it is capable of tracking its users and collecting non-personal information which is related to their searches. No matter that the biggest amount of information which is collected by this virus is not personal, you can easily reveal your email address or PC's IP address to strangers.
In addition, this questionable browsing tool can easily hijack your computer "bundled" with the freeware. In most of the cases, it does that without your permission asked and takes over your homepage, the default search engine and new tab URL. If you are dealing with this issue right now, you need to remove SearchPrivacy.co from your computer. To find all components that belong to this PUP, you can use .
It seems that this browser hijacker belongs to a new generation. Its creators are promising to help users improve their browsing activity by deleting their search queries, disabling tracking cookies, and preventing other unwanted activities that can be initiated behind their back. However, you need to install Search Privacy add-on on your computer to use these promised services.
Besides, since Privacysearch me is a browser hijacker, it spies on its users and collects non-personal data. While the majority of unwanted browsing tools employ the collected data for marketing purposes, this one uses it for creating more user-oriented results and pop-up ads which can easily start interrupting each of your searches.
Within the time of using this browsing tool, you will also notice info.searchprivacy.co redirect problem. After entering the required web page, you can fail to access it because you get misled to a different domain. You should not ignore this phenomenon as you can get redirected to a web page which is infected with less or more serious malware .
However, the most important issue related to this browser hijacker is that it disables all security plug-ins that can be found on your computer. Such behavior should not be tolerated because you can get infected without a warning. Thus, do not waste time and start SearchPrivacy.co removal. Let assist you.
From our report of Sep 2017 · not reviewed since
Ads and programs that suggest installing this suspicious program
You might have accidentally installed the hijacker along with another free program.
Novirus.uk experts claim that while hopping through the steps of the installation wizard, users rarely see tiny attachments. Under one of them might hide this potentially unwanted program. There is a way how you can avoid stealth infiltration of unwanted applications.
Upon starting the installation guide of a new program, select "Advanced" settings. Only when you are sure that no additional add-ons will be installed, finish the installation. Generally speaking, cautiousness will not only save you from Privacy Search hijack but more treacherous hijackers as well.
However, the described browser hijacker is closely associated with several domains that suggest adding versions of this questionable software. If these websites continuously pop-up on your screen although you haven't agreed to install Search Privacy Chrome or SearchPrivacy Firefox, we strongly recommend checking your PC for adware programs that might be sending these ads to you.
- Search-privacy.space virus. This suspicious domain advertises an extension for Chrome, promising to launch versions for Firefox and Chrome shortly. The suspicious extension asks to change user's search settings to info.search-privacy.space. At first, the user won't see any visible changes in the browser because this potentially unwanted program affects browser's default search settings. Therefore, the user runs into Privacy Search results only after entering a search query into browser's URL bar. It then sends user's query to its servers and displays customized results for the user.
- Search-privacy.club virus. This web page is extremely similar to the previously described one. It also promotes an extension that modifies browser's settings. However, the extension has a different name - Search-Privacy.club.
- Info.searchprivacy.co virus. It is a slightly modified version of the original browser hijacker that works identically as other rogue "privacy-protecting" browser extensions.
- TheSearchprivacy.co virus. This browser redirect virus takes control over browser's default search without user's knowledge. It can be installed directly from its main page or arrive as an additional component in unison with some potentially unwanted free program.
- Search-Privacy.Space virus. Yet another vague web page dedicated to promoting Search Privacy Chrome extension. The extension wants the user to allow it read and change all data with cooperating websites and modify the default search setting to info.search-privacy.space. Again, the user has to deal with sponsored search results while looking for relevant information online.
From our report of Sep 2017 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on SearchPrivacy.co virus
- Search Privacy is a dangerous browser extension that changes default search settings in Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer and provides untrustworthy search results.
- It advertises itself as a tool that can protect user's privacy, however, it tracks user's search terms, IP address and similar data to provide third-party ads.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
searchprivacy.co
How to remove SearchPrivacy.co virus
How to stop SearchPrivacy.co virus from opening
The search page is only the end point.
These steps remove what sends the browser there, then put the search engine back.
Step 1: Put the search engine back and delete searchprivacy.co
In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete
searchprivacy.cofrom the list.In Edge type
search engineinto the search box at the top of Settings and open Manage search engines; in Firefox use Settings > Search. Then check the homepage and the new tab page in the same settings, because hijackers change all three.If searchprivacy.co is back after a restart, an extension, a program or a policy still sets it, so finish the other steps and check again. The settings are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 2: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
SearchPrivacy.co virus rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of SearchPrivacy.co virus that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
When infected with Privacy Search virus, you need to uninstall all entries that could be related to this hijacker. Make sure you uninstall Search Privacy 1.19, SearchPrivacy.co, Privacy Search and similar entries.
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.
Remove from Google Chrome
SearchPrivacy.co is widely popular among Chrome users. If this hijacker has affected this browser, you need to go to Extensions directory, select this add-on and click on the rubbish bin. Then, make sure you reset your browser You need to get rid of the following extension to remove Searchprivacy.co from 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.
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.
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.
Delete from Safari
If Safari browser is affected by SearchPrivacy.co virus, you need to remove Search Privacy 1.19 add-on from this browser. To remove the malicious search engine, you should reset Safari as well.
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.
Delete from macOS
To eliminate SearchPrivacy.co hijack from Mac OS X, you need to uninstall all entries that look suspicious to you. We highly recommend eliminating all related entries. The latest its version is 1.19.
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.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of Sep 2017 · not reviewed since
Get rid of SearchPrivacy.co without problems
You should read the tutorial we provide to learn how to uninstall Search Privacy virus right away.
It will help you to escape more annoying effects this hijacker might cause. You can do it manually and automatically. If you opt for the former solution, be very attentive not to miss any important detail.
Otherwise, there will remain a significantly high probability of getting infected with the hijacker. Install an anti-spyware program which will remove SearchPrivacy.co virus for you.
The program will also serve as an invaluable tool protecting your computer. Finally, do not forget to review all installation stages before hitting the "Install" button and review privacy policies before installing a new application.
Users looking for a more speedy Privacy Search removal option should consider using a program that can remove spyware or malware automatically. You can find some of the programs we tested and recommend using below.
Search Privacy 1.19, SearchPrivacy.co, Privacy Search and similar entries.
Extensions directory, select this add-on and click on the rubbish bin. Then, make sure you reset your browser
You need to get rid of the following extension to remove Searchprivacy.co from Chrome.
Search Privacy 1.19 add-on from this browser. To remove the malicious search engine, you should reset Safari as well.
Questions about SearchPrivacy.co virus
How do I change my search engine back from searchprivacy.co?
Open the browser's search engine settings, choose the search engine you want and set it as default, then remove searchprivacy.co from the list.
If the option is greyed out or a note says it is controlled by an extension, remove that extension first and try again. If the browser says it is managed by your organization, a policy holds the setting, and the policy steps in this guide apply.
When the change will not stick, reset the browser: it restores the default search engine and start page and turns off extensions, but keeps bookmarks and saved passwords. Then check Installed apps for a program that may put searchprivacy.co back.
Can searchprivacy.co see my searches?
Yes. Every search typed into the address bar goes to searchprivacy.co first, which is how it earns money. It can log the query, the time and an identifier for your browser, and some hijackers also collect the pages you visit through their extension.
The privacy policy of such sites usually allows sharing that data with partners. Once the hijacker is removed and your own search engine is set again, new searches no longer reach it. Searches already sent cannot be taken back, so avoid entering sensitive information until the clean-up is finished, and clear cookies afterwards.
What is searchprivacy.co?
It is the search page used by the browser hijacker SearchPrivacy.co virus. It has no search index of its own: it forwards your queries to another search engine and adds ads and tracking along the way.
People rarely choose it on purpose; it becomes the default search engine, home page or new tab after an extension, program or policy changes the browser settings. The page itself is not malware, but it should not be in your browser if you did not set it. The steps above remove the source and restore your settings.
Is searchprivacy.co dangerous?
It is not designed to infect the PC, but it is not neutral either. It logs searches, adds sponsored results that are hard to tell apart from real ones, and its ad partners are not checked as strictly as those of major search engines.
Some hijacker pages have shown ads for fake updates, tech support scams and unwanted software. The main harm is to privacy. Remove SearchPrivacy.co virus, and if you entered personal data on sites reached through its results, check those sites carefully.
Do I have to fix every browser?
Yes, every one where the search engine or start page changed. In the cases we checked, SearchPrivacy.co virus affected Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
Each browser stores its own search settings and extensions, so fixing one does not fix the others, and Windows-level changes such as shortcuts can affect each browser differently. Work through them one at a time:
- remove the extension
- check the policies
- restore the search engine
- start page
If you sync a browser, stay signed in so the fix spreads to your other computers.
Did searchprivacy.co record my searches?
Almost certainly. Logging is the point of a hijacker search page: each query, with your IP address, browser details and the result you clicked, is valuable to advertisers.
The operators of searchprivacy.co can store and share that data under their own privacy policy, which you never agreed to knowingly. There is no way to delete it from their side. What you can do is stop the flow:
- remove SearchPrivacy.co virus
- clear cookies and site data for searchprivacy.co
- treat sensitive searches made in the meantime as known to a third party
Why does my search page look slightly different?
Because it is not your search engine's own page. SearchPrivacy.co virus sends searches to searchprivacy.co, which may copy the colours and layout of a known search engine while adding its own ads and tracking. Small differences give it away:
- an unfamiliar address
- more ads than usual
- a different logo
- a search box with a brand name you do not recognise
Remove the hijacker and set your search engine again from the browser's settings to get the real page back. Then delete the hijacker's entry from the saved search engines list.
Can I just block searchprivacy.co?
You can, but it treats the symptom. Blocking the domain in a firewall or the hosts file makes searches fail instead of redirecting, while the extension or program that set it keeps running and collecting data.
Hijacker operators also switch to new domains in updates, so a block may stop working within weeks. Remove the source instead, then set your own search engine. If you want extra protection afterwards, turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security, which stops many hijacker installers before they run.
What do I lose if I reset Chrome or Edge?
Less than you might think. A reset turns off all extensions, which you can turn back on one by one, restores the default search engine, home page, new tab and pinned tabs, and clears cookies, so you are signed out of most sites.
Bookmarks, history, saved passwords and autofill data stay. Firefox's equivalent, Refresh Firefox, keeps the same essentials but removes add-ons completely. Before you reset, make sure you know your main passwords or have them saved, since you will need to sign in again.
Will Fortect remove SearchPrivacy.co virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For SearchPrivacy.co virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Norton Internet Security Center: What are browser hijackers? (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 7, 2026)