What Is Private Video Mac
The Private Video Mac is an app that has been reported to exhibit potentially unwanted behavior. These kinds of ad-supported software may modify your web browsers with the main idea to change their settings so that they push you lots of ads. These ads are monetized by pay-per-click and other schemes and the main problem with this is they often go unchecked and unverified, which is why this program is regarded as potentially unsafe.
Read this article to learn more about how Private Video functions and how you can remove it from your Mac.
Private Video Mac Summary
| Name | Private Video |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Private Video. |
Private Video Mac Redirect Activity Report
Private Video adware has a very similar activity to other adware we have seen to recently plague macOS devices, like Make Changes, DesignDefault and myGoogle. All of these programs use questionable tactics to be spread on your Mac, like software bundling for example. This means that the install files of Private Video could be added to the setup of another third-party app you may have downloaded for free from some shady websites. The main way this works is for Private Video to be advertised as a ‘free extra’ in one of the setup steps of such apps and this step is often hidden in the “Custom” install. Since many victims tend to choose the “Express” install, this is often how you may get this application without even knowing.
Once installed on your Mac, the Private Video adware may modify your browser settings and even change your home, new tab and other web pages. The main problem concerning that is that the ads that are shown could lead to dangerous websites, such as:
- Scam domains.
- Sites that offer rogue software downloads.
- Multiple redirects that may contain viruses.
- Survey frauds and such scams.
- Fake web pages.
- Different kinds of malware URLs.
- Fake tech support.
These ads can often be of different kinds, for example:
- Banners appearing on the sites you visit.
- Push notification ads.
- Pop-up ads
- Sudden redirects to third-party sites.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Highlighted text leading to third-party sites.
On top of that, these promoted websites may also use multiple kinds of tracking technologies, designed to snoop out information on your online activity, like:
- Where you visit.
- What is your browsing history.
- The phrases you have searched for.
- Your click and mouse movement history.
These are the main reasons why you should seriously consider removing Private Video from your Mac as soon as you possibly can.
Remove Private Video from Your Device
In order for you to get rid of Private Video from your Mac, we would strongly recommend that you follow the removal steps which we have made beneath this article. These steps contain instructions on removing this risky software from both your Mac and the web browsers that are installed on it. For the best removal, scanning your Mac using anti-malware software is the recommended solution by most cyber-security experts. Such software has been designed to best assist you in deleting this unwanted program from your macOS effectively by scanning its OS and removing all trackers, adware components and malware from it.
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.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove Private Video files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Private Video, 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.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall Private Video 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Private Video:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Private Video. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. 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 Private Video. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 Private Video 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:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Private Video. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 3: Remove Private Video – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Private Video-FAQ
What is Private Video on your Mac?
The Private Video threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like Private Video?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from Private Video?
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 e-mail 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 activiites 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 reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the Private Video Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Private Video how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on Private Video?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the Private Video threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.