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What is Privacy-Search?

The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Privacy-Search is a browser hijacker. These so-called "hijackers" manipulate your browser(s), for example to change your startpage or searchscopes, so that the affected browser visits their site or one of their choice.
This one is a search hijacker for Chrome.

How do I know if my computer is affected by Privacy-Search?

You may see this entry in your list of Chrome extensions:

main.png

and these warnings during install:

warning1.png

warning2.png

warning3.png

and you will see this icon in Chrome toolbar:

icons.png

that shows this switch when you click it:

warning5.png

and this warning in your settings:

warning4.png

How did Privacy-Search get on my computer?

Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their website.

website.png

How do I remove Privacy-Search?

Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
  • Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
  • Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • Then click Finish.
  • Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
  • If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
  • When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
  • Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of Privacy-Search?
  • No, Malwarebytes removes Privacy-Search completely.
  • You may have to remove the Extension manually under Tools > More Tools > Extensions. Click on the bin behind the Privacy-Search entry and confirm Remove in the prompt.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes help protect me?

We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.

As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the Privacy-Search hijacker. It stops the traffic to their domains:

 

protection2.png


Technical details for experts

Possible signs in FRST logs:

 
 CHR DefaultSearchURL: Default -> hxxp://www.privacy-search.company/spsearch/?q={searchTerms}
 CHR DefaultSearchKeyword: Default -> Search Privacy
 CHR DefaultSuggestURL: Default -> hxxp://www.privacy-search.company/spauto/?kwd={searchTerms}
 CHR Extension: (Search Privacy) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb [2017-08-15]
Alterations made by the installer:
 
File system details [View: All details] (Selection)
---------------------------------------------------
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0
       Adds the file background.html"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 777 bytes, A
       Adds the file manifest.json"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 1864 bytes, A
       Adds the file popup.html"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 942 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\_metadata
       Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 7296 bytes, A
       Adds the file verified_contents.json"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 3811 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\css
       Adds the file style.css"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 10189 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\icon
       Adds the file icon.png"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 4971 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon16.png"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 538 bytes, A
       Adds the file icon48.png"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 1719 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\img
       Adds the file mob1.png"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 1644 bytes, A
       Adds the file tick_green.png"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 4178 bytes, A
       Adds the file Warning.png"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 8060 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\core
       Adds the file background.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 4042 bytes, A
       Adds the file content.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 14695 bytes, A
       Adds the file popup.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 1141 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\modules
       Adds the file constant.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 2994 bytes, A
       Adds the file fingerprint.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 10170 bytes, A
       Adds the file listeners.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 26939 bytes, A
       Adds the file md5.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 12297 bytes, A
       Adds the file user.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 1508 bytes, A
       Adds the file util.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 14842 bytes, A
       Adds the file variables.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 186 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\plugin
       Adds the file jquery.js"="7/6/2017 7:31 AM, 378864 bytes, A
    In the existing folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage
       Adds the file chrome-extension_gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb_0.localstorage"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 12288 bytes, A
       Adds the file chrome-extension_gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb_0.localstorage-journal"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 0 bytes, A
    Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb
       Adds the file 000003.log"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file CURRENT"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 16 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOCK"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file LOG"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 0 bytes, A
       Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="8/15/2017 11:10 AM, 41 bytes, A
Malwarebytes log:
 
Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 8/15/17
Scan Time: 11:16 AM
Log File: mbamPrivacySearch.txt
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.1.2.1733
Components Version: 1.0.160
Update Package Version: 1.0.2589
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x64
File System: NTFS
User: {computername}\{username}

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 321477
Threats Detected: 33
Threats Quarantined: 33
Time Elapsed: 5 min, 6 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Enabled
PUM: Enabled

-Scan Details-
Process: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Module: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Key: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Value: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 10
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\modules, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\plugin, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\core, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\icon, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\css, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\img, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\GEJLDKALBGEJPJMAGGIHGGJFFHOONJDB, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589

File: 23
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\DEFAULT\EXTENSIONS\GEJLDKALBGEJPJMAGGIHGGJFFHOONJDB\1.24.14.2_0\MANIFEST.JSON, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\css\style.css, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\icon\icon.png, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\icon\icon16.png, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\icon\icon48.png, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\img\mob1.png, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\img\tick_green.png, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\img\Warning.png, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\core\background.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\core\content.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\core\popup.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\modules\constant.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\modules\fingerprint.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\modules\listeners.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\modules\md5.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\modules\user.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\modules\util.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\modules\variables.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\scripts\plugin\jquery.js, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\background.html, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589
PUP.Optional.PrivateSearch, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gejldkalbgejpjmaggihggjffhoonjdb\1.24.14.2_0\popup.html, Quarantined, [466], [379317],1.0.2589

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
  • Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
  • Malware Execution Prevention
Save yourself the hassle and get protected.
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