How to remove PrivateNet Search [Removal guide]

Except that the PrivateNet Search modifies browser’s start page and new tab page, it also replaces your search provider, which leads to the fact that use of the browser’s search becomes uncomfortable. The reason for this is that the search results will consist of a ton of advertisements, links to unwanted and ad web sites and only the remaining part is search results for your query from well-known search engines such as Google or Bing.

Often, the PC system that have installed the PrivateNet Search add-on, will be also infected with adware (also known as ‘ad-supported’ software) that shows a lot of various advertisements. It can be pop-ups, text links in the web-sites, banners where they never had. What is more, the adware may replace the legitimate advertisements with malicious advertisements that will offer to download and install malware and unwanted applications or visit the various dangerous and misleading web pages.

The guide below explaining steps to remove PrivateNet Search plugin problem. Feel free to use it for removal of the plugin from the Google Chrome and other popular internet browsers. The step-by-step tutorial will help you restore your web browsers settings that previously changed by add-on.

Remove PrivateNet Search plugin (removal steps)

Most commonly extensions requires more than a simple uninstall with the help of MS Windows Control panel in order to be fully removed. For that reason, our team developed several removal solutions that we have combined in a detailed instructions. Therefore, if you’ve the annoying PrivateNet Search plugin on your system and are currently trying to have it uninstalled then feel free to follow the step by step tutorial below in order to resolve your problem. Some of the steps will require you to reboot your PC system or exit this web page. So, read this instructions carefully, then bookmark or print it for later reference.

How to manually delete PrivateNet Search

Steps to remove PrivateNet Search extension without any software are presented below. Be sure to carry out the step-by-step guide completely to fully remove this annoying PrivateNet Search plugin.

Removing the PrivateNet Search, check the list of installed programs first

We recommend that you begin the computer cleaning procedure by checking the list of installed software and uninstall all unknown or suspicious programs. This is a very important step, as mentioned above, very often the malicious software such as ad supported software and hijacker infections may be bundled with freeware. Remove the unwanted programs can remove the intrusive advertisements or web-browser redirect.

1. If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then press Windows button, next click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
2. If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then click “Start” button and press “Control Panel”.
3. It will display the Windows Control Panel.
4. Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
5. It will display a list of all applications installed on the computer.
6. Scroll through the all list, and delete suspicious and unknown programs. To quickly find the latest installed software, we recommend sort software by date.

See more details in the video guidance below.

Remove PrivateNet Search plugin from Chrome

Like other modern internet browsers, the Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thereby restore the internet browser startpage, new tab and search provider by default that have been changed by the PrivateNet Search extension.

1. First start the Google Chrome and press Menu button (small button in the form of three horizontal stripes).
2. It will display the Chrome main menu. Select “Settings” option.
3. You will see the Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and press “Show advanced settings” link.
4. Scroll down again and click the “Reset settings” button.
5. The Google Chrome will open the reset profile settings page as on the image above.
6. Next click the “Reset” button.
7. Once this process is finished, your web browser’s homepage, new tab and search provider by default will be restored to their original defaults.
8. To learn more, read the article How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.

How to automatically remove PrivateNet Search addon

In order to completely delete PrivateNet Search, you not only need to remove it from the internet browsers, but also delete all its components in your computer including Windows registry entries. We suggest to download and run free removal tools to automatically clean your computer of PrivateNet Search addon.

How to automatically remove PrivateNet Search with Zemana Anti Malware

We recommend using the Zemana. You can download and install Zemana Free to scan for and remove PrivateNet Search extension from your machine. When installed and updated, the malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on the computer.

Download Zemana by clicking on the following link and save it to your Desktop.

When downloading is finished, close all software and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup as on the image below.

When the installation starts, you will see the “Setup wizard” which will allow you install Zemana Free on your PC system.

Once setup is finished, you will see window as shown below.

Now click the “Scan” button for scanning your PC system for the PrivateNet Search extension related files, folders and registry keys. Depending on your computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the Zemana Free is scanning, you may see how many objects it has identified either as being malware.

When Zemana Anti-Malware has finished scanning, a list of all items found is produced. Next, you need to click “Next” button.

The Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) will get rid of PrivateNet Search plugin which alters your homepage and search provider.

Scan and free your PC of addon with Malwarebytes

We suggest using the Malwarebytes Free. You can download and install Malwarebytes to find and delete PrivateNet Search plugin from your system. When installed and updated, the free malware remover will automatically scan and detect all threats present on the computer.

Download MalwareBytes from the following link and save it to your Desktop.

Once downloading is complete, close all applications and windows on your machine. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup as shown in the figure below.

When the install starts, you will see the “Setup wizard” which will help you setup Malwarebytes on your PC system.

Once setup is finished, you will see window as on the image below.

Now click the “Scan Now” button to begin scanning your PC system for the PrivateNet Search extension which alters your home page and search engine. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malicious software, ‘ad supported’ software or potentially unwanted programs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

After finished, you will be displayed the list of all detected items on your computer. Review the results once the tool has complete the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Quarantine Selected” button.

The Malwarebytes will now remove PrivateNet Search extension that cause a redirect to an undesired web page and move items to the program’s quarantine. Once disinfection is finished, you may be prompted to reboot your computer.

The following video explains step-by-step guidance on how to delete hijacker, adware and other malicious software with MalwareBytes Anti Malware.

Scan and clean your system of extension with AdwCleaner

If MalwareBytes anti malware or Zemana Free cannot remove this add-on, then we recommends to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal utility for malicious software, ‘ad supported’ software, potentially unwanted software, toolbars as well as PrivateNet Search plugin and other malicious software and ‘ad supported’ software.

Download AdwCleaner by clicking on the following link.

After downloading is complete, open the file location. You will see an icon like below.

Double click the AdwCleaner desktop icon. Once the tool is launched, you will see a screen as shown in the figure below.

Further, click “Scan” button . AdwCleaner utility will begin scanning the whole computer to find out PrivateNet Search plugin related files, folders and registry keys. This task can take some time, so please be patient. After AdwCleaner completes the scan, the results are displayed in the scan report as shown in the figure below.

Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click “Clean” button. It will display a prompt as displayed on the image below.

You need to click “OK”. After that process is complete, the AdwCleaner may ask you to restart your computer. When your personal computer is started, you will see an AdwCleaner log.

These steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.

Stop PrivateNet Search redirect and other annoying sites

In order to increase your security and protect your computer against new intrusive ads and harmful web-pages, you need to run adblocker program that stops an access to malicious advertisements and web sites. Moreover, the program can block the display of intrusive advertising, that also leads to faster loading of web-pages and reduce the consumption of web traffic.

1. Download AdGuard program by clicking on the following link.
   

   Adguard download
   26627 downloads
   Version: 6.4
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 15, 2018
   
2. After the download is done, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. When the install is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your system, AdGuard will launch automatically and block advertisements, as well as other harmful or misleading web pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon named AdGuard, which may be found on your desktop.

How can you prevent the PrivateNet Search addon

Most commonly, the PrivateNet Search add-on is bundled within the setup files from a free hosting and file sharing web sites. So, install a freeware is a a good chance that you will find a bundled extension. If you don’t know how to avoid it, then use a simple trick. During the installation, select the Custom or Advanced installation option. Next, click ‘Decline’ button and clear all checkboxes on offers that ask you to install optional programs. Moreover, please carefully read Term of use and User agreement before installing any software or otherwise you can end up with another unwanted program on your machine such as this add-on.

To sum up

Now your personal computer should be free of the PrivateNet Search add-on that modifies your home page and search provider. Remove AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popups and undesired harmful web sites) and Zemana Free (to periodically scan your machine for new addons and other malicious software). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.

If you are still having problems while trying to remove PrivateNet Search extension from the Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and MS Edge, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.