Privacy Maximizer Unwanted Application

What is Privacy Maximizer?

According to its developers, the Privacy Maximizer application keeps users' computer activities private and data secure. Judging by its appearance and description, Privacy Maximizer may seem to be a legitimate and useful tool, however, it is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA).

This negative association is due the distribution method used, a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", which means that most users install Privacy Maximizer unintentionally.

Generally, Privacy Maximizer prevents other users from accessing their systems or personal information stored. Once installed, it allows users to scan their systems for potential privacy risks (recently opened documents, temporary files, cookies, search history, logs of conversations using Skype and other apps, etc.).

To delete any potential threats, however, users are encouraged to purchased a 'full version'. Note that even if Privacy Maximizer detects certain 'risks', they will not necessarily be removed when the so-called 'full version' is purchased. Typically, apps distributed using the "bundling" method should not be trusted (including Privacy Maximizer).

They commonly display fake results to trick users into purchasing software licenses for more 'advanced' versions of the app. These purchased products will not provide any real value. As Privacy Maximizer is distributed using the same method as many other potentially unwanted applications, we recommend that you uninstall it immediately.

In many cases, "bundling" is used to install several PUAs at once (usually browser hijackers and adware-type apps). These additional apps often deliver ads, cause unwanted redirects, and collect data.

Threat Summary:

Name	Privacy Maximizer potentially unwanted application
Threat Type	PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application)
Symptoms	A program that you don't recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. New application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about found issues. Asks for payment in order to eliminate the supposedly found errors.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Many users are tricked into installing PUAs when developers promote them as 'useful' and capable of providing various tools and features. In fact, they deliver no real value for regular users and are designed only to generate revenue.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

As mentioned, most potentially unwanted applications are distributed using the "bundling" method. Bundling is deceptive marketing method used to stealthily install PUAs by hiding them in "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings of this type.

Software developers avoid disclosing information regarding the presence of bundled apps and hope that users will not notice them. Unfortunately, many users skip installation steps or do not check the settings, thus allowing PUAs to be installed without their knowledge.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

You are advised to download software using official, trustworthy sources and direct links. Do not use torrents, third party software downloaders, or other similar sources. Install software with care - remember to check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings.

Deselect (opt-out of) all potentially unwanted applications and only then finish the installation or proceed to the next step. Bear in mind that most ads seem legitimate, but are often designed by cyber criminals who invest many resources in their design.

If you encounter ads that redirect you to gambling, pornography, adult dating, or other untrustworthy websites, check the list of add-ons, extensions, and plug-ins installed on your browser and remove any suspicious/unwanted entries immediately. The same applies to programs installed on your computer.

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Screenshot of Privacy Maximizer application:

Privacy Maximizer installation setup:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Privacy Maximizer?
• STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove malicious plug-ins from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Removal of potentially unwanted applications:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Privacy Maximizer" and other suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Privacy Maximizer did not install any unwanted browser extensions, however, some unwanted applications are installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you see unwanted ads or experience unwanted redirects when browsing the internet, continue with the removal guide below.

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the privacy maximizer potentially unwanted application, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the privacy maximizer potentially unwanted application, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with privacy maximizer potentially unwanted application removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the privacy maximizer potentially unwanted application, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on privacy maximizer potentially unwanted application or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion