This post has been created to help you fix the “Your connection is not private” error which may appear in your Google Chrome web browser.
Many users have begun complaining and seeking solution to a pop-up error caused in Google Chrome and other web browsers. The error is usually caused by the configuration of the date settings in Windows, however it may also be caused by what many refer to as a tech support scam – a pop-up which blocks you out of your web browser and demands you to call a tech support number to fix the issue. This is why, in this article we have addressed both of the scenarios and have come up with the solutions for them. Keep reading to learn how to fix the “Your connection is not private” error in your Windows for free.
Threat Summary
| Name | "Your connection is not private" Redirect |
| Type | Online Scam or Browser Error |
| Short Description | If legitimate, caused by a web page that is with low reputation or if your web browser’s time is not the same as your PC. If a scam, it is likely shown as a result of having an adware or other unwanted program that shows ads and causes redirects on your PC. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser starts to show different browser redirects, the main of which leads to the “Your connection is not private” red screen message. |
| Distribution Method | Website, with low reputation.Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss "Your connection is not private" Redirect. |
How to Fix “Your connection is not private” Error If It is Not a Virus
The reason why many see the “Your connection is not private” message in the Google Chrome or other browsers is in fact not an error, but rather a inability of Google Chrome and other browsers to function properly, because of how the system time is configured. Here is how to fix this if it is caused by a Date and Time issue:
Step 1: Hit the Windows Button + R combination on your keyboard. In the Run window which will appear type “timedate.cpl” and hit OK.
Step 2: In the Date and Time menu which will appear, click on the “Change Date and Time” and confirm any administrative requests to open it:
Step 3: If your date has been changed, change it back to the original today’s date and then click on Apply and Ok. This should fix the issue.
How to Fix “Your connection is not private” Error If Caused by Virus or Scam
Another way, by which you may experience this pop-up on your web browser, is if your computer has an ad-supported software installed which causes suspicious screens to appear, asking to call tech support numbers, including a fake “Your connection is not private” screen. Besides it, you may also see other similar to the original error screens, like the examples below:
These screens are usually caused by potentially harmful software that aims to display fake tech support numbers. If you see a number accompanying the message, do not call it, since you will be calling scammers, whose main goal is to scam you out of your money or your information via the phone.
Such unwanted programs, related to the “Your Connection is not Private” scam usually slip into your computer as a result of bundling. Bundling is the process of installing an application which is free, such as your favorite media player, torrent or other programs. Usually some suspicious websites bundle PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) in their software setups. These unwanted software are not malware, but they may cause various advertisements to appear and your system to run extremely slow. Among those advertisements, those apps may also change your browser settings.
Furthermore, other risks may also be associated with the “Your Connection is not private” message, since the web pages to which you are redirected may contain various different types of tracking technologies, such as:
- Cookies.
- Tags.
- Pixels.
- Locally Shared Objects.
- Search ads.
These tracking technologies may be used by this virus to obtain different information from your computer, such as:
- Your browsing history.
- Your online search results.
- Your online clicks.
- Bookmarked sites.
This information may then be used by the same software that displays the “Your Connection is not private” messages in order to show advertisements based on what you have been looking for, which is also known as behavioral advertising. The ads that may be spread as a result of this may be of several different types:
- Pop-ups.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Banners on the sites you visit.
- Redirects.
So, if you experience those symptoms, we advise you to clean your web browser and your Windows by following the removal instructions below for any viruses, displaying fake “Your connection is not private” error messages.
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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of "Your connection is not private" Redirect from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove "Your connection is not private" Redirect from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase "Your connection is not private" Redirect from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall "Your connection is not private" Redirect from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove "Your connection is not private" Redirect from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate "Your connection is not private" Redirect from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove "Your connection is not private" Redirect from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove "Your connection is not private" Redirect
Step 2: Uninstall "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner 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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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 "Your connection is not private" Redirect will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate "Your connection is not private" Redirect 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.
