PrimaryIndexer is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that belongs to the category of Adware. Adware – What Is It? Adware is type of programs designed to add adverts into your Web browsing or even desktop experience. Adware software can be designed to modify your start page, search provider, search results, or even add toolbars to your internet browser. Adware run in the background when browse the World Wide Web, and adware software can slow down your MAC OS and affect its performance.
Unwanted ads
Does the PrimaryIndexer adware steal your confidential data? Adware has the ability to collect lots of privacy information such as what web-pages you are opening, what you are looking for the World Wide Web and so on. This confidential data, afterwards, may be transferred third party companies.
So, if you happen to encounter PrimaryIndexer then be quick and take effort to remove adware without a wait. Follow the step-by-step guidance below to uninstall PrimaryIndexer and other PUPs. Let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
How does PrimaryIndexer get on your machine
Many of the free programs out there install unwanted browser toolbars, browser hijackers, adware software and PUPs along with them without your knowledge. One has to be attentive while installing freeware in order to avoid accidentally installing optional programs. It’s important that you pay attention to the EULA (End User License Agreements) and select the Custom, Manual or Advanced installation option as it will typically disclose what bundled software will also be installed.
Threat Summary
| Name | PrimaryIndexer, Primary Indexer 1.0 app |
| Type | adware software, PUP (potentially unwanted program), popup virus, pop-up advertisements, pop-ups |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | PrimaryIndexer removal guide |
How to Remove PrimaryIndexer (removal guidance)
In the guide below, we will try to cover the Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Safari and provide general help to remove PrimaryIndexer adware. You may find some minor differences in your Mac install. No matter, you should be okay if you follow the steps outlined below: remove all suspicious and unknown software, reset web browsers settings, run free malware removal utilities. Certain of the steps below will require you to exit this web site. So, please read the guide carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove PrimaryIndexer, perform the steps below:
- How to remove PrimaryIndexer adware without any software
- Automatic Removal of PrimaryIndexer adware software
- How to stay safe online
- Finish words
How to remove PrimaryIndexer adware without any software
Looking for a way to get rid of PrimaryIndexer manually without downloading any utilities? Then this section of the article is just for you. Below are some simple steps you can take. Performing these steps requires basic knowledge of web-browser and Windows setup. If you doubt that you can follow them, it is better to use free applications listed below that can help you remove PrimaryIndexer .
Uninstall questionable software using the Finder
First, go to the Finder and delete dubious programs, all programs you do not remember installing. It is important to pay the most attention to programs you installed just before PrimaryIndexer ads appeared on your web-browser. If you don’t know what a program does, look for the answer on the Internet.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will open a list of all applications installed on your MAC OS. Scroll through the all list, and remove any dubious and unknown apps. Right click to questionable program and choose “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.
Remove PrimaryIndexer adware from Chrome
Reset Google Chrome will allow you to get rid of PrimaryIndexer ads from your internet browser as well as to recover web browser settings hijacked by adware. All undesired, harmful and adware addons will also be removed from the browser. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
- First start the Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Google Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the plugin labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guide: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Google Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and press the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will show the reset profile settings page as on the image above.
- Next click the “Reset” button.
- Once this process is complete, your web browser’s homepage, search engine by default and newtab will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Get rid of PrimaryIndexer adware from Safari
If you find that Safari browser settings such as homepage, default search provider and newtab page having been modified by the PrimaryIndexer adware software, then you may revert back your settings, via the reset web browser procedure.
Click Safari menu and select “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious extensions on left panel, choose it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to get rid of all unknown extensions from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Remove PrimaryIndexer from Mozilla Firefox by resetting browser settings
Resetting your Mozilla Firefox is basic troubleshooting step for any issues with your internet browser program, including the PrimaryIndexer ads. However, your themes, bookmarks, history, passwords, and web form auto-fill information will not be deleted.
First, run the Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (
). It will open the drop-down menu. Next, press the Help button (
).
In the Help menu press the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button like below.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Automatic Removal of PrimaryIndexer adware software
Using a malware removal tool to detect and delete adware hiding on your machine is probably the simplest way to remove the PrimaryIndexer adware. We advises the MalwareBytes utility for Mac OS machines. It is the anti-malware program for Apple Mac that offers a free malware removal.
How to delete PrimaryIndexer with MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM)
Get rid of PrimaryIndexer adware manually is difficult and often the adware is not completely removed. Therefore, we suggest you to use the MalwareBytes Free that are completely clean your Apple Mac. Moreover, this free application will allow you to get rid of malicious software, PUPs, toolbars and browser hijacker that your MAC system can be infected too.
- Visit the following page to download MalwareBytes Free.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
20841 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
- When downloading is finished, close all software and windows on your MAC. Open a file location. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
- Click the “Scan” button for checking your MAC system for the PrimaryIndexer adware software. Depending on your MAC system, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malware.
- After MalwareBytes Anti-Malware has finished scanning, MalwareBytes Anti Malware will produce a list of unwanted apps and adware. All detected items will be marked. You can delete them all by simply click “Remove Selected Items”.
How to stay safe onlines
Using an ad-blocker program like AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, ad blocking apps will also protect you from harmful ads and web-pages, and, of course, block redirection chain to misleading and similar webpages.
Download AdGuard on your Apple Mac from the following link.
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
After the downloading process is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you start your MAC system, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted pop up advertisements, block harmful and misleading web-pages.
Finish words
Now your Apple Mac should be free of the PrimaryIndexer adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted advertisements and unwanted harmful web-sites) and MalwareBytes Anti Malware (to periodically scan your machine for new malware, hijackers and adware software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijacker infections, malicious programs and adware are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to delete PrimaryIndexer ads from your web-browser, then ask for help here.
