Remove Private Searching (Google Chrome)

Private Searching is a Google Chrome browser extension that can be installed without the user’s approval. It normally sneaks onto the computer alongside freeware or dubious third-party applications. Users are not aware that simply downloading freeware from unknown sources can cause adware such as Private Searching to enter the computer discretely. Thus, be careful when acquiring programs online. If possible, download applications only from legitimate sources and official websites.

During the installation of freeware, an unsuspecting computer user is also loading Private Searching and other contents of the package. It is unknown to them that this type of software bundle has several adware and unwanted programs in it. In this case, it incorporates Private Searching into the browser, which causes unwelcome modifications. The result is the abrupt presence of a privacy search feature on the homepage, completely replacing the previous setup.

By employing invasive techniques, some people deemed the sudden existence of Private Searching as one form of virus infection. However, security experts only categorized this type of threat as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Similar to previous variants like Private Browsing and Private Search Plus, Private Searching can only affect internet browser applications. It is not designed to inflict damage on system files or the operating system in general.

Image of Private Searching website

Even though Private Searching is not classified as a computer virus, we believe that online browsing is not secured in its presence. As we know, adware is capable of monitoring user’s browsing habits and may redirect some searches to suspicious web pages. Thus, we made a simple guide on this page to get rid of Private Searching instantly using effective techniques.

Private Searching Removal Procedure

Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the Adware on compromised Windows computers. Aside from removing the malicious browser extension, this guide is also helpful for deleting pop-ups and redirects. In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner

Quick Fix - Scan the PC with Combo Cleaner for Windows

Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC security and optimization tool equipped with a powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of adware like Private Searching through this procedure.

1. Download the application from the following page:

2. Save the file to your preferred location.

3. Double-click the downloaded file CCSetup.exe and install with the default settings.

CC for Windows Installation

4. At the end of the setup process, click Finish to run Combo Cleaner.

5. The tool will update the signature file; please wait for this process to complete.

6. To begin checking for threats like Private Searching, click on the Start Scan button. Wait for this scan to finish.

CC for Windows Start Scan

7. At the end of the scan process, click on Remove all threats to delete Private Searching adware, including all malicious objects from the computer.

Free features of Combo Cleaner for Windows include Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus, privacy scanner, and to delete identified threats, users have to upgrade to a premium version.

Please continue with the succeeding removal procedures if you are comfortable manually getting rid of the threat and malicious items linked to it.

Step 1 : Turn Off Sync on Google Chrome

At this point, it is crucial to turn off Google Sync to prevent Private Searching from restoring if in case it has exploited this feature. Follow the procedures below to sign out and turn off sync.

1. Open Google Chrome application.

2. On top address bar, please type the following:

chrome://settings/syncSetup

3. Once you are in the Sync and Google Services, click on the Turn Off button.

Google Chrome Sync Turn Off Image

4. If it prompts for the confirmation, click on Turn Off once again.

5. The process will turn off the sync and logout the Google account as well. Please restart Google Chrome browser and proceed with the remaining steps.

Remove the Private Searching Extension from Google Chrome

1. Open your Google Chrome browser.

2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

Chrome URL

3. Find Private Searching or any relevant entry and remove it from the Google Chrome browser.

Uninstall the Private Searching Extension from Mozilla Firefox

1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.

2. Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

Firefox URL

3. Choose Extensions from the sidebar menu.

4. Look for an object that pertains to Private Searching and remove it from the browser.

After deleting the malicious browser extension, it is expected that pop-ups and other troubles will be gone from the internet browser.

Remove Private Searching from Microsoft Windows and Edge Browser

1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key + R and then, type the appwiz.cpl command.

2. The Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in a chronological manner, with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on the 'Installed On' column.

Add-Remove Malware

3. Select Private Searching or a recently installed unwanted entry. Then, click on Uninstall to remove it from the Windows system.

If Private Searching is still present on the browser and there are still homepage and pop-ups, another option is to remove the adware from the browser settings.

4. Open the Microsoft Edge program.

5. Input edge://extensions/ in the URL bar and press Enter on the keyboard.

6. Look for and Remove or Disable entries for Private Searching from the Installed Extensions area. Additionally, delete the same object from the Search Providers section by executing the Hijacker Removal Procedure for Edge.

7. Close the window and restart Microsoft Edge.

Step 3 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus

To remove Private Searching automatically, scanning the computer with this powerful virus and malware removal tool is recommended. This scanner does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware; it is also effective in discovering adware like Private Searching.

1. Download the Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.

2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the installation process.

3. On the first window of the installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.

4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch the Sophos Virus Removal Tool.

5. An internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove adware like Private Searching.

6. Click the button to carry out the Scan. This will check the system for the presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Private Searching and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.

Screenshot of Sophos Virus Scan

The above procedures should have totally eliminated the Private Searching adware. However, if you find that there are still remnants of the threat, please proceed to the succeeding procedures below.

Step 4 : Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner

In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with the AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of Private Searching on the browser that were not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for the presence of malicious applications as well as invalid browser entries that produce annoying pop-ups.

1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.

2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer, especially browsers affected by Private Searching.

3. Browse to the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on the Scan button.

Image of AdwCleaner Dashboard

4. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated with Private Searching. It will also check for suspicious entries in browser settings.

5. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.

6. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of the detected threats.

Check if your internet browser application is no longer being bothered by Private Searching. If the adware still persists, please continue with the steps below to reset internet programs to their default settings.

Optional : Reset Internet Browser Program

Cleaning your internet browser from clutter and unwanted add-on/extension is a must when dealing with Private Searching. The procedure below discusses on resetting various browsers to their default state.

Restore Google Chrome to Default Settings

Resetting Google Chrome to its default settings is helpful in deleting hard-to-remove extensions, such as Private Searching. This method is highly advisable to perform if you have difficulty removing unwanted extensions.

1. Open the Google Chrome internet browser.
2. On the address bar, type chrome://settings/reset and press the Enter key.
3. Click on Reset Settings on the sidebar and choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. On the confirmation window, click the Reset settings button to clear all entries for Private Searching.
5. Close the existing tab and restart Google Chrome. That should have removed the Private Searching extension and associated objects.

Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default

This section describes how to remove unwanted extensions from Firefox that may be related to Private Searching. This process can fix many browser issues by restoring Firefox to factory settings without affecting your essential information (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and Internet cookies) on the browser. If you desire to remove only a specific extension, please see the manual removal of add-ons from Firefox.

1. Input the string about:support on the Firefox web address and press Enter on the keyboard.
2. You will now see the Troubleshooting Information page of Mozilla Firefox.
3. You will notice a section in the upper-right corner of the screen stating, Give Firefox a tune-up. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
4. If a confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
5. Firefox browser will close and start the resetting process. When done, it will display a list of restored data. Private Searching should be gone by now. Click Finish to open a fresh version of Firefox.

Restore Microsoft Edge to Default Settings

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. On the address bar, please input edge://settings/reset and press Enter on the keyboard.
3. Once you are on the Reset Settings page, click on Restore settings to their default values.
4. A confirmation window will appear; click on the Reset button to continue.

Your data, like favorites, bookmarks, and history, will remain in the browser. However, this process will delete add-ons by Private Searching and other unknown objects.

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