How to eliminate searchprivatelynow.com

What is searchprivatelynow.com?

Our examination has revealed that searchprivatelynow.com is not a safe or reliable search engine. It is distributed through a browser extension called Search Privately, which can take over browsers (hijack them). Searchprivatelynow.com may direct users to unsafe websites and could compromise privacy. It is recommended to avoid both the website and the extension.

Search Privately browser hijacker overview

When searchprivatelynow.com is used (a search query is entered), the site immediately sends users to another website. In our tests, searchprivatelynow.com redirected us to search.yahoo.com, which is safe, but the fake search engine could also take users to harmful sites.

Searchprivatelynow.com does not create its own search results, so it works as a fake search engine. Sites like this can be used to promote scams or unwanted software. Users could be tricked into sharing personal information, sending money to fraudsters, downloading harmful programs, or taking other risky actions.

Search Privately is a browser extension that hijacks a web browser. Hijackers change browser settings, such as the default search engine, homepage, or new tab page, to promote specific sites (in this case, searchprivatelynow.com). They are often designed to make it hard for users to undo these changes.

Furthermore, Search Privately can read and change data on all websites. This is risky because it could steal personal data, passwords, or other sensitive information. It could also change website content. For these reasons, it is not safe to use this extension (and the promoted fake search engine.

If a browser is hijacked by Search Privately and searchprivatelynow.com is present, both of them should be removed as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Searchprivatelynow.com is a fake search engine that can lead to scams or unsafe sites. The Search Privately extension hijacks your browser and can access sensitive data. Both are risky and should be removed immediately. More examples of fake search engines are searchsafelypro.net, search.safelysearch.net, and search.myprivate-search.com.

How did Search Privately install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are usually added or installed together with other free or untrustworthy software. It happens when users stick with the default setup instead of choosing custom or advanced options that let them decline unwanted offers (such as browser hijackers).

Also, hijackers are often spread through unofficial app stores, peer-to-peer networks, third-party downloaders, fake warnings, misleading ads, and similar channels. In most cases, users unknowingly add or install browser hijackers.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Always get software from official sites or reputable app stores, and carefully follow installation steps to prevent installing or adding unwanted programs. Make sure your operating system and apps are regularly updated. Use trusted antivirus or anti-malware programs to scan your device on a regular basis.

While browsing, avoid suspicious websites, do not click on their ads, pop-ups, or links, and never allow notifications from such sites. If your computer is already infected with Search Privately, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Searchprivatelynow.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Search Privately browser hijacker:

Website promoting Search Privately 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 searchprivatelynow.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Search Privately application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Search Privately browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove searchprivatelynow.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove searchprivatelynow.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Search Privately 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 searchprivatelynow.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Search Privately 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 "Search Privately" 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 "Search Privately", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchprivatelynow.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 "searchprivatelynow.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 search privately 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 "Search Privately", 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 "Search Privately", remove hxxp://searchprivatelynow.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 search privately 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 search privately 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 searchprivatelynow.com website?

The goal of redirecting users to searchprivatelynow.com is to generate profit for its operators. This may involve showing ads, monitoring user activity, and sending visitors to other websites (including untrustworthy ones).

Is visiting searchprivatelynow.com a threat to my privacy?

Visiting searchprivatelynow.com may put user privacy at risk. The site can collect data and redirect users to pages that could expose them to online threats.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers can spread through unofficial app stores, peer-to-peer networks, and third-party downloaders. They may also enter a system via misleading ads, fake alerts, or downloads from unsafe websites, and are often installed when users accept default settings during installation of free or untrustworthy software.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Search Privately browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove browser hijackers. If more than one hijacker is present, they can interfere with removal, so all of them should be removed at once.