Privdog is a privacy protection software that is available as a standalone product for Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox web browsers. It also comes bundled with the well-known security software Comodo Dragon and Comodo Internet Security.
According to Comodo's official website, the software is in the company's browser (Comodo Dragon) as well as in the Comodo Internet Security suite.
However, Hacker News reports that if someone scans their computer for Superfish, they will receive warnings, even if Superfish is not installed on the system. After analysis, it appeared that the warnings came from the Privdog software.
Privdog is designed to block certain trackers and ads while you browse the Internet. It blocks all ads that are not directly hosted on the website you are about to visit and replaces it with an ad from AdTrustMedia .
The worst thing is that it installs a certificate on the system. Although it does not use the same key for all installations, it undoubtedly exhibits an even more dangerous behavior: it blocks all the certificates on the computer and replaces them with its own certificate signed with its own root key.
This means that the browser you are using will accept any certificate, regardless of whether it is valid or not.
To be fair, Comodo, although it contains Privdog, does not appear to use any such certificate on the computer.
To remove the software from your system along with the “security” certificate, follow these steps:
Open RUN by pressing Win+R. In the box that opens, type mmc.exe and press enter.
Go to File, then Add/Remove Snap-in
Select Certificates, click Add Select
Computer Account, click Next
Select Local Computer, click Finish
Click OK
Under “Trusted Certification Authorities” look for Trusted Root Certification Authorities – Certificates
In case you're wondering what the connection is between Comodo and PrivDog: Comodo's CEO and founder appears to be behind Privdog.
So why is Privdog something like Superfish? Both products add a security certificate to your computer, making it insecure. All of this is done to generate more revenue for the parent company (Comodo). While they don't work the same way, Privdog is arguably worse in terms of security.
