How to remove privacyonlinesearch.com and the associated browser hijacker

What is privacyonlinesearch.com?

Our analysis shows that privacyonlinesearch.com is presented as a search engine, but it does not generate unique results, indicating that it is a fake search engine. Moreover, privacyonlinesearch.com is promoted through an extension classified as a browser hijacker, called Online Privacy.

Privacyonlinesearch.com and Online Privacy browser hijacker overview

We found that instead of generating its own results, privacyonlinesearch.com redirects users to bing.com, search.yahoo.com, and possibly other search engines. Bing and Yahoo search engines are legitimate, however, privacyonlinesearch.com may redirect users to untrustworthy websites. Some of those sites may host scams, unwanted apps, or other potentially malicious content.

In addition to being a fake search engine, privacyonlinesearch.com is promoted through a browser hijacker, an extension called Online Privacy. The hijacking occurs when the extension changes the default search engine, homepage, and (or) new tab address to privacyonlinesearch.com. It is worth noting that Online Privacy may prevent users from undoing those changes.

Moreover, Online Privacy can read and modify user data on bing.com and privacyonlinesearch.com, as well as adjust settings that control websites' access to features such as cookies, JavaScript plugins, geolocation, microphone, and camera. Because this extension is a browser hijacker, these permissions are risky and can lead to privacy and security issues.

Additionally, extensions like Online Privacy may slow down the browser and reduce overall system performance, and they might be difficult to remove without specialized tools, such as Combo Cleaner. Thus, if Online Privacy and privacyonlinesearch.com are present within a browser, they should be removed as soon as possible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, privacyonlinesearch.com is a fake search engine promoted by the Online Privacy browser hijacker. It can expose users to untrustworthy websites, compromise privacy, and degrade browser performance. Due to the risks and difficulty of removal, both the extension and the associated site should be avoided and removed if detected.

More examples of fake search engines are search.ansiblealgorithm.com, newtab.art, and manualssearch.com.

How did Online Privacy install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are often added (or installed) without users noticing, usually because they are packaged together with free or unreliable software. This typically happens when people use default installation options instead of selecting advanced or custom settings, where extra programs can be reviewed and declined.

Unwanted extensions and apps may also spread through misleading advertisements, fake alerts from unsafe websites, and third-party sources such as unofficial app stores, download managers, peer-to-peer networks, and other questionable platforms. Typically, users add or install them unknowingly, or they are tricked into it.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Keep your operating system and applications up to date, and regularly scan your device with reliable antivirus or anti-malware software to detect possible threats. Download programs from official websites or trusted app stores, and carefully review installation steps to avoid unwanted additions.

When browsing the web, stay cautious and do not click on ads, pop-ups, or links found on suspicious or questionable websites, and avoid accepting their notifications. If your computer is already infected with Online Privacy, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Privacyonlinesearch.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Online Privacy browser hijacker:

Website promoting Online Privacy browser hijacker:

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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is privacyonlinesearch.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Online Privacy application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Online Privacy browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove privacyonlinesearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove privacyonlinesearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Online Privacy browser hijacker removal:

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 any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the privacyonlinesearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Online Privacy browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Online Privacy" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Online Privacy", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.privacyonlinesearch.com) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "privacyonlinesearch.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the online privacy browser hijacker, 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Online Privacy", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Online Privacy", remove hxxp://privacyonlinesearch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with online privacy browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the online privacy browser hijacker, 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:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users visit privacyonlinesearch.com website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit privacyonlinesearch.com is to generate traffic and profit for its operators. It allows the operators to show ads, track browsing behavior, and redirect users to potentially untrustworthy or malicious websites. This also helps them collect data and monetize user activity.

Is visiting privacyonlinesearch.com a threat to my privacy?

Because it is associated with a browser hijacker, it may track browsing activity, collect user data, and redirect searches. It can also expose users to unsafe websites and ads, increasing the risk of privacy or security issues.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers often get added or installed without users realizing it, commonly through bundled free software or deceptive distribution methods. They spread via default installation settings, misleading ads, fake alerts, and untrusted third-party sources, causing users to install them unknowingly.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Online Privacy browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner can scan for and remove browser hijackers, which is important because manual removal may fail if multiple hijackers are present or reinstall each other. Removing all hijackers at once is necessary, as some settings cannot be changed while they remain installed or added.