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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Sep 2017

How to remove SearchPrivacy.co virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Olivia Morelli · Ransomware analyst

SearchPrivacy.co serves questionable search results 

Privacy Search virus

SearchPrivacy.co is a browser hijacker[1], 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.

What is Search Privacy?

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.

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 FortectIntego.

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.

Search-Privacy.co redirect virus

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[2].

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 FortectIntego assist you.

Ads and programs that suggest installing this suspicious program

You might have accidentally installed the hijacker along with another free program. Novirus.uk experts[3] 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.

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. Therefore, we recommend more time-saving option. 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.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

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

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

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

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

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

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

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

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

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

Reset Safari:

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

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