Threat Database Browser Hijackers 'Browser Privacy Alert' Pop-Ups

'Browser Privacy Alert' Pop-Ups

By GoldSparrow in Browser Hijackers

The 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups try to convince computer users that their Web browser is not safe and offers them the option of using a 'secure' browser. However, the product offered by the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups may not be as safe as the other Web browsers on the market. Malware analysts have determined that the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups are part of a known tactic used to distribute PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs). In this case, the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups are being used to promote a low-quality Web browser that may keep track of your online activity and exposes you to high volumes of advertising material.

What may Cause the 'Browser Privacy Alert' Pop-Ups

The emergence of the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups may have two causes. The 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups may either appear because the websites computer users are viewing contains potentially unsafe content, or they may be caused by a PUP already present on the affected Web browser. It is relatively simple to determine whether the problem is related to the website being viewed or to the Web browser itself:

  • If the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups tend to appear only when visiting a certain website or related websites, the problem may be related to the websites' advertisements, not to the Web browser itself.
  • If the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups appear regardless of the website being visited, then the problem may be a PUP present on the affected Web browser. The presence of the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups on websites that do not display pop-up messages normally, such as Google or Wikipedia, means that it is almost certain that a PUP has entered the affected Web browser.

In both cases, malware researchers strongly advise computer users against interacting with the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups in any way, so as to prevent the unintended installation of an unwanted component. Regardless of the course of action taken, malware analysts strongly recommend that computer users use a reliable, fully updated security application to perform a full, thorough scan of their computers. This is meant primarily to ensure that the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups and their promoted and related components have not resulted in the installation of PUPs or threats on the affected computer.

Common Symptoms that may be Related to the 'Browser Privacy Alert' Pop-Ups

The 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups may be caused by a PUP present on the affected Web browser. This means that the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups seldom appear by themselves. If the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups are appearing on your Web browser, other symptoms also may be present. The following are some symptoms that have been observed to accompany the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups on affected Web browsers:

  • PUPs associated with the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups may make unwanted changes to the affected Web browser. These alterations may include changing the affected Web browser's homepage, default search engine and bookmarks.
  • Apart from the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups, affected Web browsers may display a large volume of other types of pop-ups and advertisements. A typical tactic similar to the one used by the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups will attempt to persuade computer users that their software is out of date, or they need to download and install a security update (which may be an additional PUP).
  • Web browsers affected by the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups may be afflicted by various types of performance issues. These types of PUPs may cause the Web browser to become slower than normal and prone to freezing or crashing. Web pages may take longer to load than normal, and the affected operating system may become unstable.

To stop the 'Browser Privacy Alert' pop-ups, it is necessary to identify the PUP present on the affected Web browser and remove it completely with the help of a reliable security application.

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