How to remove PrivDog

[stevow]

I guess I'm in the right thread.
HP g6 Pavillion Notebook
windows 7 home premium with all updates current.

2 things:
Upon start up the window tells me that PrivDog is running and slowing my browsing at .9 sec I think it said.
Now I thought I had removed it some time ago, but here's the strange thing: I just went to Control Panel and hit uninstall, but it says it's already uninstalled. To play it safe, I will not use a 3rd party (tech?) site that say's "Click here to completely remove PrivDog." I will, however, trust this site if I'm given a link

#2) I just saw a highlight to Update Magic Desktop (Magic Desktop..huh?) I looked into it.....for kids safe search apparently. I don't need this and not sure if or when I allowed it to install. My son was 14 when I bought this laptop, so maybe then I allowed it.
If I remove it will it foul up my Operating System? I doubt it, but I ask this because some website mentioned something about this and it wasn't completely clear in my mind just what they meant.

Thanks for any help!
steve

 

[Tmagic650]

Try uninstalling it inside Safe Mode if it is still showing in Programs & Features. There is a neat little 3rd party uninstaller program called Revo Uninstaller. The trial works well
http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

 

[stevow]

Thank u so much! Now what about the 2nd Q regards to Magic Desktop? I had read it may foul up my OS if I remove it. I tend the think that's the sites way of using their method. I'm not totally sure just what it is for sure or how it ended up on my laptop.
Thanks!

 

[Tmagic650]

Try running ComboFix. It can remove a lot of nasty stuff, maybe even Magic Desktop without affecting Windows. Just follow directions, and it might take some time to complete:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/dl/12/