How to uninstall One Click Privacy unwanted application?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
What is One Click Privacy?
One Click Privacy is advertised as a program that helps users to keep their online privacy safe. However, it is known that it is distributed by using questionable methods. In other words, it is likely that there are users who have already downloaded and installed (or might download and/or install) One Click Privacy unknowingly.
Programs that users download and/or install without knowing about it are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
One Click Privacy allows users to scan their computers for items that may affect their privacy. However, it does not allow to remove any of the detected items unless users register it. In other words, One Click Privacy is not a free program.
The problem with paying money for activation/registration of programs that are categorized as PUAs is that they do not always detect real issues. There are PUAs that generate fake scan results to trick users into paying money for their full version. It is unknown whether One Click Privacy is one of these programs, however, it might be.
It is worthwhile to mention that PUAs tend to be distributed alongside with adware-type apps, browser hijackers.
Adware-type apps generate coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and/or ad of other types. It is common that they are designed to open (promote) shady pages, or even download and/or install unwanted apps by running certain script. Browser hijackers promote fake search engines (their addresses) by modifying browser settings.
Typically, they modify settings such as the address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab, and do not allow to undo the changes that were made by them unless users uninstall them. It is worthwhile to mention that both adware-type apps and browser hijackers can be designed to gather various data as well.
For example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites. They can be designed to collect sensitive information as well. What is worse, gathered data could be monetized by selling it to third parties or misused to generate revenue on other ways.
| Name | One Click Privacy potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (potentially unwanted program), PUA (potentially unwanted application) |
| Supposed Functionality | Online privacy protection |
| Detection Names (OneClickPrivacySetup.exe) | Avast (Win64:Malware-gen), AVG (Win64:Malware-gen), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win64/XportOptimizer.A Potentially Unwanted), McAfee (Artemis!78762CF6F92B), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/PCOptimizerPro), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. A new application is performing computer scans and displays warning messages about 'found issues'. Asks for payment 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. |
More examples of apps like One Click Privacy are TakeMyFile and Garbage Cleaner, Secure Driver Updater. It is common that they are only advertised as useful, legitimate apps. In other words, quite often they do not fix any problems/provide users with fake scan results.
Therefore, it is recommended not to download and install such apps, or pay money for their activation/registration.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Typically, users download and/or install PUAs together with programs that have such apps included in download and/or installation setups as additional offers.
More precisely, when users download and/or install programs without changing "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings, or unticking certain checkboxes that are available in download and/or installation setups.
This distribution method for PUAs is known as "bundling". Sometimes users cause unwanted downloads and/or installations by clicking ads that are designed to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Files, programs should be downloaded only from official, trustworthy websites and via direct links. Third party downloaders (and installers), Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, etc., should not be used. Download and installation setups should be checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps.
Ads on questionable pages should not be clicked. Any unwanted apps (extensions, add-ons or plug-ins) that are installed on a browser should be removed. Software of this kind that installed on the operating system should be removed too.
If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of One Click Privacy application (GIF):
Installation setup of One Click Privacy application:
Website promoting One Click Privacy application:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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.
Quick menu:
- What is One Click Privacy?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove malicious plug-ins from Internet Explorer.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
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.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 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.
Mac 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 "One Click Privacy" 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, One Click Privacy did not install any unwanted browser extensions, however, some unwanted applications can be installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you experience unwanted ads or redirects when browsing the internet, continue with the removal guide below.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 one click privacy 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 plugins 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 one click privacy 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 one click privacy 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.
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 one click privacy 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.
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.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove one click privacy potentially unwanted application from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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