How to remove BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou

Tips for BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou removal

BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou is a heuristic detection, categorised as potentially unwanted application and adware. This type of apps commonly infiltrates in without users’ consent with some freeware or shareware apps download, especially when users rush the download and skip the installation steps. In rare cases, fake updating tools and some software cracks can lead the inadvertent installation of this app.

Once install, the BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou operates malicious changes to the installed browsers’ settings that can be spotted on the homepage and the new tab page section. These options are set to some site belongs to the hackers. This site causes constant redirection to sponsored, affiliated pages. The third party advertisers also promote their products and services on these places. These promotional materials appear in the form of advertisements such as banners, coupons, surveys, pop-ups and in-text ads, on clicking which, the users can end up into downloading/installing rogue apps of this type, paying for fake services or disclosing their personal info that the advertisers use later on in various fraudulent activities such as blackmail.

Another risk associated with the BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou adware is that this app can track the users’ browsing session. This way, it can manage to collect the browsing related data including IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISP, Geo-locations and Type of OS and browser used and so on. These data could be shared to potent crooks who misuse them to generate illicit revenue. Thus, the data tracking app can create the huge risk of privacy and can cause identity exposure. To prevent such issues from happening, immediately remove BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou from the device.

Possible adware distribution sources

Typically, PUPs are distributed using software bundling method. In this method, stealth installation of unwanted apps takes place with some regular software. What the developers do is hide the bundled apps behind Custom/Advanced option. Users rush the download and leave these setups unchecked or unchanged. Such careless approach and reckless behaviour lead them into the inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. You should require avoid any third party sites, p2p networks, and free file hosting sites that are the common channels to get monetized through bundling. Also, you must require paying close attention to the installation – analyze each step using Custom/Advanced option and opt out all additionally attached apps and decline all offers. Other common channels that lead the unwanted app installation include:

• Ads or links on intrusive ads – you should be cautious when receiving any ads displayed on any unprotected sites, especially when these ones offer some tools or services. These ones could be suspicious through which you get scammed and tricked into some malicious malware installation on your device
• Fake updating tools – many a time, crooks design scam messages to trick people into believing that some apps installed on their device are not updated. These messages offer the false update and trick people into malware installation at the end. You should aware of such message and try to use only official software developers’ tools/functions only for any software update.

Remove BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou

Manual malware removal guide is provided below in step by step manner. Follow it so that you will not find any trouble during removal process. You can use some reputable antivirus tool to automatically remove BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou from the device.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou:

Remove the related items of BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter. In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”. Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete BrowserModifier:Win32/Prifou (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications. Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.