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:
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Browser Privacy Alert from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Browser Privacy Alert from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Browser Privacy Alert from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Browser Privacy Alert from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Browser Privacy Alert from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Browser Privacy Alert from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Browser Privacy Alert from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Browser Privacy Alert from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Browser Privacy Alert
Step 2: Uninstall Browser Privacy Alert and related software from Windows
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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Browser Privacy Alert on your computer.
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.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Browser Privacy Alert from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Browser Privacy Alert and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
