A new scam has been reported to be released on a massive scale out into the open serving as a scareware message. The message itself aims to scare the inexperienced user that his information is unsafe and hence convince him/her to download a suspicious Chromium browser. Chromium is Google`s open source project, giving way for developers to create custom browsers with different features. However some developers “that turned to the dark side of the force” have developed their custom browsers that advertise heavily for profit via pay-per-click schemes and other affiliate dealings. Since they may advertise any website via those web browsers, make sure to be extremely careful and not download such browsers. In case you have any of the after-mentioned software in this article, it is highly recommended to follow the instructions for its removal at the end.
Name | Browser Privacy Alert |
Type | Pop-up linking to the download of suspicious software. |
Short Description | The pop-up displays a scareware message claiming the user`s information may be compromised. |
Symptoms | The user may see the pop-up with an ‘Ok’ button. If clicked on the button, the user may be redirected to a third-party webstie prompting the download of a software that may be ad-supported and collect his information. |
Distribution Method | Via PUPs, installed by bundling (Browser Hijackers) or by visiting a suspicious third-party site that is advertising it. |
Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
User Experience | Join our forum to discuss about Browser Privacy Alert. |
Chromium Browser Privacy Alert – How Did I Start Seeing It
You may have started seeing this annoying pop-up as a result of clicking on an online advertisement or a suspicious web link, mentioned in an online comment or a reply in a forum or any other website.
Furthermore such pop-ups appearing on your computer may be because you might have adware installed in it. Adware is most commonly met in the face of PUPs or Potentially Unwanted Programs and is distributed mostly through other installers of widely used freeware. Such freeware like your favorite free media player, for example, is mostly provided with bundled ad-supported PUPs by some third-party sites for profit.
Chromium Browser Privacy Alert – More about It
Once the user visits the suspicious URL, it immediately may display the pop-up giving a limited choice, at first glance. Once clicked on the ‘Ok’ button, the user may be redirected to a download web page prompting him to download a custom, most often Chromium-based browser that is usually of the information collecting ad-supported type:
- Chromatic Browser
- Unico Browser
- Mini Browser
- Torch Browser
- Mustang Browser
- Tesla Browser
- Beagle Browser
- Mustang Browser
- MyBrowser
These are one of the few hazardous browsers this pop-up may lead to, and almost all of them are Chromium based. In case you feel unsafe it is not recommended to install any of the ones above. Instead, it is always good to do your research on a secure browser before downloading any based on a random pop-up appearing.
Furthermore, these browsers are all reported to request certain read and write permissions with the purpose of collecting information, run on start-up, run active plugins in the system tray or displaying various advertisements of a different kind as well as make themselves difficult to remove. What is more, they may collaborate with third-party websites for profit and some of them might be directly dangerous to your computer.
Remove Browser Privacy Alert Pop-up Completely
In case you have seen the “Browser Privacy Alert” pop-up it is strongly advisable to check your browser for any suspicious browser extensions and also check for any unwanted programs that might be suspiciously installed onto your computer. Also, it is highly advisable to download and install an advanced anti-malware software that will detect any unwanted and insecure programs entering in your computer and remove any malware in case your system may have already been infected.
Here is how to remove any Chromium browsers as well as detect and remove other unwanted browser extensions and software:
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Browser Privacy Alert from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Browser Privacy Alert with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Browser Privacy Alert and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Browser Privacy Alert on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Browser Privacy Alert there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for Browser Privacy Alert (Windows).
Get rid of Browser Privacy Alert from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Browser Privacy Alert and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Browser Privacy Alert. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Browser Privacy Alert via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Browser Privacy Alert files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Browser Privacy Alert, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Browser Privacy Alert (Mac)
Remove Browser Privacy Alert from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase Browser Privacy Alert from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall Browser Privacy Alert from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove Browser Privacy Alert from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Browser Privacy Alert will be removed.
Eliminate Browser Privacy Alert from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Browser Privacy Alert-FAQ
What Is Browser Privacy Alert?
The Browser Privacy Alert threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Browser Privacy Alert?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Browser Privacy Alert?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Browser Privacy Alert Work?
Once installed, Browser Privacy Alert can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Browser Privacy Alert can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Browser Privacy Alert Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Browser Privacy Alert Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Browser Privacy Alert how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Browser Privacy Alert?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Browser Privacy Alert threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.