Browser hijackers are malicious programs that are designed in order to redirect computer users to websites desired by the hacker who deploys the computer malware. The hijacking can be basic such as changing the default home page of a computer to sophisticated attacks that redirect computer users trying to visit legitimate websites such as their bank or even Google to a maliciously crafted copy of the site designed to deploy additional computer malware to the computer or steal the user’s data. The majority of browser hijacks, however, are based on adware and to a more limited degree spyware functions.
How Do Browser Hijackers Infect Your Computer?
When a computer browser is hijacked, it normally occurs as part of the installation of a software program and may or may not ask for the end-user’s permission. The three primary methods that a web browser can become hijacked is:
1 – Through freeware, shareware, or advertisement support applications that are deployed through the installation of a web browser toolbar or add-on. When the application is removed, the hijacked browser is not corrected.
2 – Through adware or spyware infection that are silently installed on your computer. Removal of the parasite does not correct the hijacked browser.
3 – Through Internet Explorer ActiveX controls or the exploitation of web browser vulnerabilities.
How Does a Browser Hijacker Work?
There are a number of actions that a browser hijacker may do. The most common is changing the default home page on the computer’s web browser to a per-designated website without permission. They may also change the default search engine while changing the home page. Additionally, a custom error page can be deployed in addition to redirecting the web browser to a predefined website when a valid URL is entered in the navigation bar. Some browser hijackers will also modify web browser settings, decrease the overall security level, and add malicious web sites to the browser’s trusted website list. For the hijackers that are bundled with adware, they may also install desktop shortcuts to marketing sites, add bookmarks to the web browser’s favorite list for all users, and create a number of links to other advertisements. For the variants that are bundled with computer spyware, they will record the websites that you visit while surfing the Internet and send records of both this and other private information revealed while surfing the web on your computer.
How Do You Remove a Browser Hijacker?
The majority of browser hijackers require computer virus programs that are specialized in spyware removal to eliminate the threat. These programs have additional signature databases that include the large number of browser hijacking applications that have previously been identified on the Internet. If your antivirus software is unsuccessful at removing the parasite, short-term options that you can undertake include shifting to using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome if you are primarily a internet Explorer user, or searching for the specific name of the browser hijacker to remove the program from your computer manually.
