The SeekPriv is a malicious browser extension from the group of ‘ad-supported’ software (also known as adware). The adware virus changes the Chrome, FF, Internet Explorer and MS Edge settings to open a large amount of undesired pop-up ads on all web sites, including web-pages where previously you advertisements have never seen. These ads can be varied: pop-up windows, boxes, in-text ads, different sized banners and so on. What is more, the SeekPriv harmful extension, that displays lots of unwanted pop up advertisements, can cause your Internet connection to be slow or freeze your internet browser so that the interface is not updated anymore.
The adware may download and install on to your PC system other malicious and unwanted programs without your permission, force you to visit misleading or harmful web-sites. Moreover, the malicious plugin may install browser hijacker. Once installed, it’ll change your web-browser setting like newtab page, startpage and search provider by default with an unwanted web-site.
The malicious applications that modifies the settings of internet browsers usually affects only the Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Edge. However, possible situations, when any other web-browsers will be affected too. The adware may change the Target property of a web-browser’s shortcut, so every time you start the browser, instead of your startpage, you will see an undesired ad page.
We strongly suggest that you perform the guide below which will assist you to remove SeekPriv malicious addon using the standard features of Windows and some proven freeware.
Remove SeekPriv harmful extension
In the few simple steps below we will have a look at the virus and how to delete SeekPriv from Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers for Microsoft Windows OS, natively or by using a few free removal utilities. Certain of the steps below will require you to close the web site. So, please read the tutorial carefully, after that bookmark or print it for later reference.
How to manually get rid of SeekPriv
The steps will help you remove SeekPriv . These SeekPriv removal steps work for the FF, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge, as well as every version of Microsoft Windows operating system.
Remove SeekPriv associated software by using Windows Control Panel
Some of potentially unwanted applications, plugin and browser hijackers can be deleted using the Add/Remove programs tool that is located in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. So, if you are using any version of Microsoft Windows and you have noticed an unwanted program, then first try to remove it through Add/Remove programs.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, click Windows button
, then press Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as shown on the image below.
After the ‘Control Panel’ opens, press the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as on the image below.
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as shown on the screen below.
Very carefully look around the entire list of programs installed on your PC system. Most likely, one or more of them are responsible for the appearance of pop ups and web-browser redirect to various undesired pages. If you have many programs installed, you can help simplify the search of malicious software by sort the list by date of installation. Once you have found a suspicious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it, after that press ‘Uninstall’.
Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, click ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel as on the image below.
Once the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to click ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ as shown on the image below.
You will see a list of applications installed on your personal computer. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the programs that were installed last. Most likely they responsibility for the appearance of pop-ups and browser redirect. If you are in doubt, you can always check the application by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. After the program which you need to uninstall is found, simply click on its name, and then click ‘Uninstall’ as on the image below.
Fix infected browsers shortcuts
Now you need to clean up the internet browser shortcuts. Check that the shortcut referring to the right exe-file of the web-browser, and not on any unknown file.
Open the properties of the browser shortcut. Right click on the shortcut of infected internet browser and choose the “Properties” option and it’ll open the properties of the shortcut. Next, select the “Shortcut” tab and have a look at the Target field as shown below.
Normally, if the last word in the Target field is chrome.exe, iexplore.exe, firefox.exe. Be sure to pay attention to the extension, should be “exe”! All shortcuts that have been modified by adware usually point to .bat, .cmd or .url files instead of .exe as shown below
Another variant, an address has been added at the end of the line. In this case the Target field looks like …Application\chrome.exe” http://site.address as shown on the image below.
In order to fix a shortcut, you need to insert right path to the Target field or remove an address (if it has been added at the end). You can use the following information to fix your shortcuts that have been changed by malicious extension.
| Google Chrome | C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe |
| C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe | |
| FF | C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe |
| IE | C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe |
| C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe | |
| Opera | C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\launcher.exe |
| C:\Program Files\Opera\launcher.exe |
Once is complete, click OK to save changes. Repeat the step for all web-browsers which are rerouted to undesired sites.
Remove SeekPriv harmful plugin from Chrome
Run the Reset internet browser utility of the Google Chrome to reset all its settings like newtab, home page and search engine by default to original defaults. This is a very useful tool to use, in the case of web-browser redirects to undesired ad web sites.
- First, start the Google Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three horizontal stripes).
- It will display the Google Chrome main menu, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, press “Show advanced settings” link, that located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings” button.
- The Chrome will display the reset settings dialog box as shown on the image above.
- Confirm the web-browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Chrome settings to default.
Remove SeekPriv virus from Firefox
If the Mozilla Firefox web browser program is hijacked, then resetting its settings can help. The Reset feature is available on all modern version of FF. A reset can fix many issues by restoring Firefox settings like new tab, home page and search engine by default to its default state. It will save your personal information such as saved passwords, bookmarks, and open tabs.
Run the Firefox and press the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will open the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you’re unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as on the image below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation dialog box. The Firefox will start a process to fix your problems that caused by the ‘ad supported’ software. After, it’s complete, click the “Finish” button.
Get rid of SeekPriv virus from Internet Explorer
In order to recover all web-browser homepage, new tab page and default search engine you need to reset the Internet Explorer to the state, which was when the Microsoft Windows was installed on your PC.
First, open the Internet Explorer, click 
) button. Next, click “Internet Options” as shown in the figure below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, click Reset button. The Microsoft Internet Explorer will show the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button.
You will now need to reboot your personal computer for the changes to take effect. It will remove SeekPriv virus, disable malicious and ad-supported browser’s extensions and restore the Internet Explorer’s settings like startpage, newtab page and default search engine to default state.
Remove unwanted Scheduled Tasks
If an undesired web page opens automatically on Windows startup or at equal time intervals, then you need to check the Task Scheduler Library and remove all the tasks that have been created by unwanted applications.
Press Windows and R keys on your keyboard at the same time. It will show a prompt that titled with Run. In the text field, type “taskschd.msc” (without the quotes) and click OK. Task Scheduler window opens. In the left-hand side, press “Task Scheduler Library”, as shown on the image below.
Task scheduler, list of tasks
In the middle part you will see a list of installed tasks. Select the first task, its properties will be display just below automatically. Next, click the Actions tab. Necessary to look at the text which is written under Details. Found something such as “explorer.exe http://site.address” or “chrome.exe http://site.address” or “firefox.exe http://site.address”, then you need remove this task. If you are not sure that executes the task, then google it. If it is a component of the unwanted programs, then this task also should be removed.
Further click on it with the right mouse button and select Delete like below.
Task scheduler, delete a task
Repeat this step, if you have found a few tasks that have been created by ‘ad-supported’ programs. Once is finished, close the Task Scheduler window.
Scan your PC system and remove SeekPriv virus with free utilities
The malicious addon can hide its components which are difficult for you to find out and remove completely. This may lead to the fact that after some time, the harmful extension once again infect your PC system and redirect your internet browser to unwanted web-pages. Moreover, We want to note that it is not always safe to delete extension manually, if you do not have much experience in setting up and configuring the MS Windows operating system. The best solution to detect and delete virus is to use free malicious software removal software.
How to automatically get rid of SeekPriv plugin with Zemana Anti-malware
You can delete SeekPriv malicious extension automatically with a help of Zemana Anti-malware. We advise this malicious software removal tool because it can easily remove browser hijacker infections, potentially unwanted software, ad supported software with all their components such as folders, files and registry entries.
Download Zemana AntiMalware from the link below.
164101 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
When the downloading process is finished, launch it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Zemana AntiMalware will try to update itself and when this procedure is done, press the “Scan” button to begin scanning your system for the SeekPriv harmful extension that causes multiple undesired ads and pop-ups.
During the scan it will detect all threats exist on your PC. Next, you need to click “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti Malware will remove SeekPriv extension which redirects your web browser to undesired ad pages.
How to automatically remove SeekPriv with Malwarebytes
Remove SeekPriv virus manually is difficult and often the extension is not completely removed. Therefore, we recommend you to run the Malwarebytes Free which are completely clean your computer. Moreover, the free application will help you to remove malicious software, potentially unwanted programs, toolbars and browser hijackers that your system can be infected too.
- Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop by clicking on the following link.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326456 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- At the download page, click on the Download button. Your web-browser will show the “Save as” prompt. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
- After downloading is complete, please close all software and open windows on your system. Double-click on the icon that’s called mb3-setup.
- This will open the “Setup wizard” of Malwarebytes onto your PC system. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
- When the Setup wizard has finished installing, the Malwarebytes will run and display the main window.
- Further, press the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan with this tool for the SeekPriv virus which redirects your web browser to undesired ad web-pages. While the tool is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified either as being malicious software.
- When it has completed scanning, a list of all items detected is produced.
- All detected items will be marked. You can get rid of them all by simply click the “Quarantine Selected” button. Once the process is done, you may be prompted to restart the PC system.
- Close the Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.
Video instruction, which reveals in detail the steps above.
Scan your machine and remove SeekPriv with AdwCleaner
If MalwareBytes anti malware or Zemana anti-malware cannot get rid of this harmful plugin, then we recommends to use the AdwCleaner. AdwCleaner is a free removal utility for browser hijacker infections, PUPs, toolbars and SeekPriv virus that causes web browsers to display annoying advertisements.
Download AdwCleaner utility by clicking on the link below. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
225298 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
When the download is done, open the file location and double-click the AdwCleaner icon. It will run the AdwCleaner tool and you will see a screen as shown on the image below. If the User Account Control dialog box will ask you want to display the program, click Yes button to continue.
Next, press “Scan” for scanning your PC for the SeekPriv harmful addon that causes unwanted popups. A scan may take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your PC and the speed of your system. When a malware, adware or PUPs are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.
After the system scan is finished is done, it’ll display a scan report as shown in the figure below.
Review the report and then press “Clean” button. It will open a prompt. Click “OK” button. The AdwCleaner will remove SeekPriv malicious extension that cause undesired pop up ads to appear and move items to the program’s quarantine. Once the procedure is finished, the utility may ask you to reboot your PC system. After reboot, the AdwCleaner will display the log file.
All the above steps are shown in detail in the following video instructions.
Block unwanted web pages
It is also critical to protect your browsers from harmful web pages and ads by using an ad blocking program such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it will greatly reduce the risk of malicious software, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.
Download AdGuard application by clicking on the following link.
26655 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
Once the downloading process is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as shown on the image below.
Follow the prompts. Once the setup is done, you will see a window as on the image below.
You can click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial which will help you get to know AdGuard better.
In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your system, AdGuard will launch automatically and block ads, as well as other harmful or misleading pages. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which can be found on your desktop.
Tips to prevent SeekPriv malicious extension and other unwanted programs
The harmful extension gets onto PC system by being attached to various free software, as a supplement, which is installed automatically. This is certainly not an honest way to get installed onto your system. To avoid infecting of your PC and side effects in the form of undesired pop-up advertisements, you should always carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license. Additionally, always select Manual, Custom or Advanced installation mode. This allows you to disable the installation of unnecessary and often harmful programs. Even if you uninstall the free programs from your PC, this virus will not be fully removed. This means that you should manually delete SeekPriv harmful extension that causes multiple unwanted ads and popups by follow the few simple steps above.
To sum up
Now your PC should be free of the SeekPriv virus that cause unwanted pop up advertisements to appear. Uninstall AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted advertisements and annoying harmful pages) and Zemana Anti-malware (to periodically scan your computer for new malware, browser hijacker infections and ‘ad supported’ software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Windows OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijacker infections, malware and ad supported software are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to remove SeekPriv add-on from your web-browser, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.
