Toolbars&Hijackers

HotSearch is a type of browser hijacker, a form of unwanted software that alters web browser settings without the user's consent. This particular hijacker is known for modifying the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to redirect users to its own search platform, often leading to websearch.hotsearches.info or similar URLs. Browser hijackers like HotSearch are typically bundled with free software downloads, making them easy to inadvertently install. Once installed, HotSearch modifies browser settings to redirect users to its own search engine (hotsearch.io) and then to boyu.com.tr. This search engine is designed to look legitimate but is often crowded with sponsored search results. Using this search engine is not recommended due to its deceptive nature, as it may lead to malware and virus infections. The search engine aims to generate advertising revenue by increasing web traffic to specific sites, often at the user's expense. HotSearch is capable of infecting a wide range of Internet browsers, including but not limited to Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. It achieves this by installing several browser 'helper objects' that prevent users from rolling back the changes made during the hijacker's installation. These objects ensure that the hijacker remains deeply embedded within the browser, making its removal more complicated.

TraceUrl is a type of malicious software, often categorized as a browser hijacker. It primarily targets web browsers to manipulate user experiences by redirecting searches and changing default settings without user consent. The primary goal of TraceUrl is to redirect web traffic to generate advertising revenue for its creators. It does this by altering search engine settings and redirecting users to specific websites, often leading to compromised web security and degraded user experience. One of the primary actions of TraceUrl is to set the default search engine to awayurl.net, a fake search engine. This site is designed to look like a legitimate search engine but primarily serves to capture search queries and redirect users to advertisement-filled websites, generating revenue for the malware authors. The use of awayurl.net is a common tactic among browser hijackers to maintain control over user searches and to track online behavior for targeted advertising. TraceUrl is not browser-specific and can infect any of the major web browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. It exploits the widespread use of these browsers to maximize its impact. By targeting these common browsers, TraceUrl ensures it can affect a broad user base, manipulating web traffic and search results across different platforms.

Sync Search is a type of browser hijacker, which is a form of unwanted software that modifies a web browser's settings without the user's permission. This particular hijacker redirects user searches through its own search engine, Sync Search, often leading to unwanted advertisements and potentially malicious websites. The primary function of Sync Search is to redirect all browser searches through its own search engine. This redirection is not only intrusive but also poses privacy concerns as it can track user search activities and browsing habits. Sync Search can affect a wide range of browsers, including popular ones like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. It is designed to be compatible with multiple browsers to maximize its impact and reach. The domain m.nearbyme.io is an example of a search engine that users might find unexpectedly set as their default after this infection.

123.sogou.com presents itself as a legitimate Internet search website, allowing users to navigate to other popular sites. Despite its seemingly benign appearance, it is actually distributed with a browser-hijacking application that claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience but does so without users' permission. The search results provided by 123.sogou.com are typically skewed towards generating advertising revenue. The hijacker redirects user searches to 123.sogou.com, where the results are filled with ads and sponsored links. This not only diminishes the quality of the search results but also poses a risk as these links could lead to further malicious sites or software downloads. Additionally, the browser hijacker tracks users' Internet browsing activity, recording details such as IP addresses, visited websites, search queries, and pages viewed. This data might contain personally identifiable information, which is often shared with third-party companies, further compromising users' privacy. To remove 123.sogou.com and associated browser hijackers, users should uninstall any suspicious applications from their computers. This can be done through the 'Programs and Features' section in Windows or by dragging the application to the trash in macOS. After uninstallation, it is recommended to reset the affected browsers to their default settings and scan the computer with reputable anti-malware software to ensure all components of the hijacker have been removed.

Brand New Search is a type of browser hijacker, which is a form of unwanted software that modifies web browser settings without the user's permission. The primary function of such software is to alter the search engine or homepage to redirect the user to specific websites, usually for generating revenue through advertising. In the case of Brand New Search, it redirects users to its own search engine, often leading to less relevant search results laden with ads or potentially malicious content. Brand New Search targets commonly used web browsers, which include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. Once installed, the hijacker alters browser settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab settings, redirecting users to its own search engine, typically hosted at brandnewsearch.com or a similar URL. Removing Brand New Search involves several steps that should be followed carefully to ensure the browser hijacker is completely eradicated from the system. First, users should check the list of installed programs on their computer for any unfamiliar or recently installed applications and uninstall these to remove potential sources of the hijacker. Next, resetting web browsers to their default settings will remove any changes made by the hijacker. Running a full system scan using reputable antivirus and anti-malware software can help detect and remove any remnants of the hijacker and other malicious programs. Additionally, users should check the properties of browser shortcuts on their desktop and taskbar to ensure they open the correct path and review the extensions or add-ons installed on their browsers, removing any that are unknown or suspicious.

Feed.searchbazak.com is a search engine that is promoted through the use of malicious browser extensions and browser hijackers. When installed on a device, these browser hijackers modify the web browser’s configuration to automatically redirect all searches through Feed.searchbazak.com. Common symptoms of having this browser hijacker installed include redirected browser search queries through Feed.searchbazak.com, the presence of a malicious browser extension or program on the computer, and being redirected to Feed.searchbazak.com due to the installation of a malicious browser extension or program. This type of program is often distributed through misleading advertisements or adware, leaving users puzzled about the origin of the software. To block such malicious advertisements, installing an ad blocker like AdGuard is recommended. If a computer starts redirecting to Feed.searchbazak.com unexpectedly, it is likely due to malware installed on the computer. To check for and remove adware, browser hijackers, or other malicious programs, a comprehensive removal guide is available.

Universal Converter is a type of potentially unwanted application (PUA) that falls under the category of browser hijackers. These applications typically modify Internet browser settings without the user's explicit consent. The primary goal of such software is to redirect user searches and browser activity through specific channels that generate revenue for the developers. Despite often being promoted as useful tools, they seldom provide the promised functionality and instead serve mainly to intrude on user privacy and disrupt normal browsing activity. Once installed, Universal Converter alters the browser's settings, changing the default homepage and search engine to a URL controlled by the hijacker, often redirecting to search.huniversalconverter.co. This search engine is typically a low-quality gateway that either provides poor search results filled with ads or redirects queries to legitimate search engines while injecting additional advertisements into the results. Universal Converter primarily targets popular web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. It modifies settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab functionality. By altering these settings, the hijacker ensures that users are consistently redirected through its chosen search engine, thereby increasing ad exposure and generating revenue.

Lax-search.com is a search engine that is promoted through the use of malicious browser extensions and browser hijackers. When installed, these browser hijackers modify a web browser’s configuration to automatically redirect all searches through Lax-search.com. Common symptoms of having this browser hijacker installed include browser search queries being redirected through Lax-search.com, and the presence of a malicious browser extension or program on the computer. This type of program often comes from misleading advertisements or adware, which can confuse users about the origin of the software. The Lax-search.com hijacker installs malicious browser extensions or programs that facilitate its activities. These extensions can modify browser settings, including the default search engine, new tab page, and homepage, redirecting them to Lax-search.com or related websites. The extensions often have generic names, making them hard to identify as malicious. Users might find these extensions installed without their explicit permission, typically as a result of bundled software installations or through deceptive advertisements. Once installed, the Lax-search.com hijacker redirects all search queries through its own search engine. This redirection can lead to inaccurate search results that may contain unreliable or harmful content. The primary purpose of these redirects is to generate revenue for the hijacker's creators through advertisement clicks and data collection. Users may also experience unwanted pop-ups and advertisements that overlay website content, significantly hindering the browsing experience.