EpiStart (EpiBrowser) Overview

EpiStart, also known as EpiBrowser, is a rogue web browser based on the open-source Chromium project. Unlike conventional browsers, it does not function as a typical search tool, but instead forces users through a fake search engine (epibrowser.com). This site lacks the ability to generate search results independently and ultimately redirects users to legitimate search engines such as Yahoo.

On their official website, the developers of this pseudo-browser claim partnership with Yahoo. That, however, does not restrict them from collecting all possible user information upon every search query. That redirect through the EpiBrowser website is made for exactly this purpose.

The classification of EpiBrowser as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) stems from its questionable distribution tactics and intrusive behavior. Many users report encountering this browser unexpectedly, which raises concerns about its installation methods. Additionally, rogue browsers like EpiStart can engage in data collection, potentially harvesting browsing history, login credentials, and financial details. The data may then be shared or sold to third parties, further heightening privacy risks.

How did I get EpiBrowser?

EpiBrowser has its own official website, though funnily enough, there is no downloading link on it. The page is purely decorative, with minimal info about the web browser itself, and some concerning information on its data handling practices. The developers openly claim collecting tons of user data, and holding it for whatever time period they want.

To understand the whole picture, it’s worth starting with the distribution and installation process of this software. Many users get EpiStart installed unknowingly, often through software bundling. For example, many Reddit users complain about this thing appearing after running some questionable program installers.

Another common distribution method involves deceptive pop-up ads and misleading websites. Some users may be tricked into downloading EpiBrowser after seeing fake alerts claiming their current browser is outdated or insecure. Clicking on such messages often initiates the installation of unwanted software without explicit user consent. Similarly, some ads can execute scripts that download and install unwanted apps or even malware automatically when clicked.

What’s Wrong?

EpiStart (EpiBrowser) functions by hijacking users’ web activity. Upon installation, it alters system settings to make itself the default browser. Unlike traditional browser hijackers that modify an existing browser’s configuration, EpiStart circumvents these limitations by being a standalone application. This means that even if users attempt to reset their browser settings, EpiStart remains unaffected, maintaining control over search queries and web navigation.

The main feature of this rogue browser is its forced redirection. It has its own search tool. But this tool cannot process search queries by itself. So, when users attempt to conduct searches, they are first led to epibrowser.com, a fake search engine. This intermediary page then forwards users to Yahoo or other search providers, depending on factors such as geolocation. The presence of a fake search engine suggests that EpiStart may be designed to generate revenue through affiliate marketing or ad fraud schemes.

Additionally, the browser has the potential to function as adware. Advertising-supported software typically injects excessive ads into web pages, displaying pop-ups, banners, and in-text advertisements. These ads may not always be safe—some could lead to phishing sites, promote deceptive software, or even trigger silent downloads of more unwanted applications.

EpiStart may also collect browsing data, including visited websites, cookies, search queries, and other user-specific information. Such data is often used for targeted advertising but can also be exploited for malicious purposes if shared with third-party advertisers or cybercriminal networks.

How To Remove EpiBrowser?

If a user discovers EpiStart on their computer, they may be able to uninstall it through standard removal methods. However, some Reddit users have reported difficulties in doing so, suggesting that EpiStart may employ persistence techniques to resist deletion. What’s worse, spreading ways this browser utilises suggests there could be much more unwanted programs.

In such cases, running a system scan with security software like GridinSoft Anti-Malware is advisable to detect and remove any hidden components. Download it by clicking the banner you see below and run a Full Scan, to clean every last corner of your computer.

To avoid installing unwanted applications like EpiStart, users should always download software from official sources and verify its legitimacy before proceeding with installation. Using “Custom” or “Advanced” settings instead of “Quick” installation allows users to review optional components and decline unnecessary add-ons. Additionally, users should remain cautious while browsing, as intrusive ads often disguise themselves as legitimate content.

The post EpiBrowser (EpiStart) appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

What is sync.clearnview.com?

In its very essence, sync.clearnview.com is a website that acts as one of the endpoints in malicious web browser redirection campaigns. Con actors use computers infected with a specific malware, known as browser hijacker, to route user requests through a sequence of landing pages. Each of them collects information about the user, which is further sold to data brokers and other malicious actors.

Users started to complain massively about their antiviruses going crazy with alerts about preventing the connections to sync.clearnview.com and similar sites. Two particular ones are Norton and Bitdefender, but it is highly possible that others detect this page, too.

URLs associated with Clearnview virus

The root web page does not contain anything, and returns an error shall one try opening it in the web browser. Real connection happens only when the browser hijacker tries to re-route the user request. In this case, the malware generates a query that contacts a specific URL, so all the malicious magic happens without any problems.

At that exact moment, antivirus software starts detecting this unusual traffic and shows the “sync.clearnview.com connection stopped”. Security programs know that the site is dodgy, thus block the connection at the very beginning. Nonetheless, it is not enough: the source virus remains active, so the redirection attempts will continue, and so will alerts from the antiviruses.

Aside from the constant notifications from the antivirus software, one may notice anomalous behavior of the web browser when the hijacker virus is active. But all of it eventually concentrates around collecting user information and forcing them to visit questionable websites. This, in fact, is a major risk, as it is quite common to see phishing pages and scams among ones promoted by browser viruses.

How did I get infected?

Browser hijackers are pretty common to find in questionable software and on websites with pirated content. The latter often open additional tabs to every click on their content; those tabs ask the user to install “useful browser extensions” to keep browsing the content. As you may know, none of these extensions grant you access to the content, and most often just carry malicious code.

Pirated software is a different propagation scheme, yet it concentrates on the very same approach with browser extensions. The latter has become an exceptionally popular vector for spreading viruses, consider checking out our dedicated article regarding browser extension security.

How to Stop Sync.clearnview.com?

Unstopping notifications about the blocked connection mean that your current antivirus is not able to delete the source malware. This is where GridinSoft Anti-Malware comes in handy: its multi-component detection system will quickly detect and remove the intruder, stopping any further troubles with your web browser. Download it by clicking the banner below and run a Full scan, to check the most remote parts of your system.

After the scan, I will recommend you to reset your browser. Malware often does a lot of changes to configuration files, and they remain in place even after the virus removal process. You can reset each browser individually, or use GridinSoft Anti-Malware for that purpose.

In GridinSoft Anti-Malware, open Tools Tab → Reset Browser Settings, and in here, opt in for the web browsers you need to get back to the original state. After that, click the Reset button and wait for a few seconds to get your web browser as good as new.

The post Sync.clearnview.com Browser Virus Removal Guide appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

What is Shougnoboassi.net?

Shougnoboassi.net is a shady website associated with malicious activity that takes over user browsers to show advertisements. By controlling the search queries or sending pop-up notifications, it forces the browser to open the Shougnoboassi.net site every once in a while. Below, you can see a typical appearance of the page.

The website appears as an anti-robot CAPTCHA page, with a checkbox and a “Verify you are human” sign above it. In fact, it is just an imitation, needed to make the user click the legitimately looking button. By clicking the checkbox, the users are getting redirected to a different website, without any explicit notification or choice. This is one of the main danger sources for this entire situation.

Under the course of my research, Shougnoboassi.net redirected me to a mix of shady and legitimate pages. They range from Aliexpress or Temu to quite obvious giveaway scams and fake tech support pages. Cybercriminals who stand behind the Shougnoboassi site earn money for every redirected user.

Why does it appear in my browser?

One of the main reasons for the Shougnoboassi.net redirect to appear is the activity of browser hijackers. This type of malicious programs take over the browser, redirecting search queries or opening promoted websites. As con actors typically contract only with other fraudsters, you may expect to see a lot of questionable and unsafe websites opening while the malware is active. In that case, it may look like the dodgy sites appear out of nowhere, without any interaction from the user.

Alternatively, the Shougnoboassi site may appear upon clicking an unwanted pop-up notification. Unwanted pop-ups are another promotion tactic used by shady actors for getting users into their questionable websites. By tricking folks into allowing push notifications from shady websites, they start flooding user systems with notifications of various kinds. If your experience matches with the examples below – that was exactly the source of a problem.

How to Remove Shougnoboassi.net?

Removal steps for Shougnoboassi.net redirect virus differ depending on the source of infection. While it is possible to remove the hijacker manually, I would recommend one to stick to the automated removal option, as it is faster, more simple and more reliable.

For removing the viruses automatically, I recommend using GridinSoft Anti-Malware, a security solution that will perfectly fit the purpose. Download it by clicking on the banner below and run a Standard scan – it checks all the locations that the malware uses to place its files. The scan will take around 5 minutes.

Manual removal solution fits the situations when the Shougnoboassi.net site appears after you’ve clicked the pop-up advertisement. To prevent this from happening, one should revert the browser settings that allow a sketchy website to send notifications.

• Step 1. Open browser settings and type “Notification” in the search bar. Here, find the site settings tab. For Google Chrome, the path looks like Settings → Privacy and Security → Site Settings.
• Step 2. In site settings menu, find Pop-ups and Redirects. Here, scroll all the way down to see the list of websites you’ve allowed to send notifications.
• Step 3. Remove every single entry from the list of websites with allowed notifications. This should eliminate the occasional pop-ups in the lower right corner of the screen, that may lead to Shougnoboassi.net.

It is worth noting that the pop-up permissions may be at times set by the malicious program. For that reason, an additional scan with GridinSoft Anti-Malware will be a preferred option – just to eliminate any possible malware present in the system.

The post Shougnoboassi.net Redirect Virus appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Overview

The PrimeLookup Extension is a type of malware designed to take over your web browser, altering its behavior to suit the preferences of its creators. In this case, all search queries are redirected to malicious search engines like boyu.com.tr and Potterfun.com.

To further complicate user removal efforts, the PrimeLookup extension exploits a remote management feature in Google Chrome and Chromium browsers known as “Managed by your organization”. Once PrimeLookup is installed, this message appears in your browser settings, rendering any attempts to change settings or remove the extension ineffective.

Over the last couple of months, search hijacker-type rogue extensions have become prevalent. This hijacker falls into this category by all the parameters. They route user searches to a different search engine, the one controlled by fraudulent actors. This can end up with quite worrying consequences, especially when the user pays no attention to where they click.

How does it work?

Like a SwiftSeek Extension or ZoomFind Extension, a PrimeLookup falls into the category of search hijacker plugin. Key elements of its activity are about intercepting all the search queries made by the user and routing them through malicious search systems. With this specific plugin, Potterfun.com is the final destination, though this may change in other similar rogue extensions. In the process of redirection, however, an intermediary website shows up, where additional query parameters are added. This is what leads to the main danger of the attack scheme.

When the user types their search query, instead of Google (or the search engine of their choice) they see the results of Potterfun.com, additionally infused with search ads. And this is the major point of concern: these ads contain a lot of phishing pages and scams. Not like Google or Bing contain 100% safe promotions, but in these cases, dangerous results are meant to be here. Following them (which may easily happen for users who don’t understand what is happening) will certainly lead to credentials leak, money loss, or even malware injection.

Spreading Ways

In the majority of cases, users get infected with PrimeLookup through fraudulent software sharing/downloading websites. They can offer unwanted extensions under the guise of a desired program, a game mod, or sometimes even a film. Unsuspecting folks click the downloaded file and in fact, install the malicious extension.

Sometimes users may see not a file-sharing site, but a fake bot protection page, that requires one to confirm they’re a human by installing the “security browser plugin”. The outcome may be different, as quite a lot of other viruses use the same scheme. We have a special article regarding these fake human verifications – consider checking that out.

Despite generally aiming at fraudulent spreading ways, it was available from the Chrome Web Store for a short period of time. It is likely done to legitimize the extension: users won’t see the warning in the Extension tab, and will find it through search in the Web Store. Nonetheless, it is not even remotely safe, as I’ve proven above.

How to Remove PrimeLookup?

There are two options for removing PrimeLookup, an automated approach and a manual one. I recommend sticking to automated, as it will eliminate the malicious extension and all other unwanted elements. Still, you can try undoing the extension manually, even though it is time consuming and requires certain amount of PC skill.

Using Anti-Malware

To get rid of the PrimeLookup extension automatically, run a Full scan with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This will take about 15 minutes, and will remove the malware even from the most remote parts of the system.

Download and install Anti-Malware by clicking the button below. After the installation, run a Full scan: this will check all the volumes present in the system, including hidden folders and system files. Scanning will take around 15 minutes.

After the scan, you will see the list of detected malicious and unwanted elements. It is possible to adjust the actions that the antimalware program does to each element: click "Advanced mode" and see the options in the drop-down menus. You can also see extended information about each detection - malware type, effects and potential source of infection.

Click "Clean Now" to start the removal process. Important: removal process may take several minutes when there are a lot of detections. Do not interrupt this process, and you will get your system as clean as new.

Manual Removal Steps

To delete PrimeLookup manually, you will need to undo the changes it has made to the system. This involves going through the system registry, and also Group Policies list. Please, follow these steps thoroughly, so nothing will restrict you from deleting the pesky extension.

Step 1. Group Policies Removal

First step in dealing with Managed by your organization is to remove policies that the malware changes to enable this state. This method does not require having access to Group Policies Editor, which is unavailable for non-Pro editions of Windows. All you have to do is find and remove all the folders listed below. Note: their deletion will require administrator privileges.


\System32\GroupPolicy
\System32\GroupPolicyUsers
\Program Files(x86)\Google\Policies
\Program Files\Google\Policies

Step 2. Removing Registry Keys

Next step is going through the registry keys that may contain malicious configurations. Press the Win+R combination, and type “regedit” in the search window. This will get you to the Registry Editor; there, find and delete the keys you see below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome
HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Update
HKLM\Software\Policies\Chromium
HKLM\Software\Google\Chrome
HKLM\Software\WOW6432Node\Google\Enrollment
HKCU\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome
HKCU\Software\Policies\Chromium
HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome


Not all keys may be present, as it depends on installed software, browser configurations, malware that did the changes and other things. Nonetheless, you should delete all the keys you can find.

Once done, reboot your computer to apply the changes. Then, you should be able to edit any of the Chrome settings and remove any browser extensions that may have previously been blocked from editing.

The post PrimeLookup Extension Removal Guide appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Overview

ZoomFind is a specific type of malware that aims at taking over the web browser, changing its behavior to the liking of malware masters. In this particular case, all search queries are getting redirected to malicious search engines – Finditfasts.com and Potterfun.com.

To complicate counteractions from the user, this extension exploits a remote management feature of Google Chrome and Chromium browser known as “Managed by your organization”. This line appears in settings once ZoomFind is installed, rendering any attempts to change settings or remove the extension fruitless.

Over the last couple of months, search hijacker-type rogue extensions have become prevalent. ZoomFind hijacker falls into this category by all the parameters. They route user searches to a different search engine, the one controlled by fraudulent actors. This can end up with quite worrying consequences, especially when the user pays no attention to where they click.

How does it work?

Like a PrimeLookup or SwiftSeek Extension, a ZoomFind falls into the category of search hijacker plugin. Key elements of its activity are about intercepting all the search queries made by the user and routing them through malicious search systems. With this specific plugin, Potterfun.com is the final destination, though this may change in other similar rogue extensions. In the process of redirection, however, an intermediary website shows up, where additional query parameters are added. This is what leads to the main danger of the attack scheme.

When the user types their search query, instead of Google (or the search engine of their choice) they see the results of Potterfun.com, additionally infused with search ads. And this is the major point of concern: these ads contain a lot of phishing pages and scams. Not like Google or Bing contain 100% safe promotions, but in these cases, dangerous results are meant to be here. Following them (which may easily happen for users who don’t understand what is happening) will certainly lead to credentials leak, money loss, or even malware injection.

Spreading Ways

In the majority of cases, users get infected with ZoomFind through fraudulent software sharing/downloading websites. They can offer unwanted extensions under the guise of a desired program, a game mod, or sometimes even a film. Unsuspecting folks click the downloaded file and in fact, install the malicious extension.

Sometimes users may see not a file sharing site, but a fake bot protection page, that requires one to confirm they’re a human by installing the “security browser plugin”. The outcome may be different, as quite a lot of other viruses use the same scheme. We have a special article regarding these fake human verification – consider checking that out.

Despite generally aiming at fraudulent spreading ways, it was available from the Chrome Web Store for a short period of time. It is likely done to legitimize the extension: users won’t see the warning in the Extension tab, and will find it through search in the Web Store. Nonetheless, it is not even remotely safe, as I’ve proven above.

How to Remove ZoomFind?

There are two options for removing ZoomFind, an automated approach and a manual one. I recommend sticking to automated, as it will eliminate the malicious extension and all other unwanted elements. Still, you can try undoing the extension manually, even though it is time consuming and requires certain amount of PC skill.

Using Anti-Malware

To get rid of the ZoomFind extension automatically, run a Full scan with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This will take about 15 minutes, and will remove the malware even from the most remote parts of the system.

Download and install Anti-Malware by clicking the button below. After the installation, run a Full scan: this will check all the volumes present in the system, including hidden folders and system files. Scanning will take around 15 minutes.

After the scan, you will see the list of detected malicious and unwanted elements. It is possible to adjust the actions that the antimalware program does to each element: click "Advanced mode" and see the options in the drop-down menus. You can also see extended information about each detection - malware type, effects and potential source of infection.

Click "Clean Now" to start the removal process. Important: removal process may take several minutes when there are a lot of detections. Do not interrupt this process, and you will get your system as clean as new.

Manual Removal Steps

To delete ZoomFind manually, you will need to undo the changes it has made to the system. This involves going through the system registry, and also Group Policies list. Please, follow these steps thoroughly, so nothing will restrict you from deleting the pesky extension.

Step 1. Group Policies Removal

First step in dealing with Managed by your organization is to remove policies that the malware changes to enable this state. This method does not require having access to Group Policies Editor, which is unavailable for non-Pro editions of Windows. All you have to do is find and remove all the folders listed below. Note: their deletion will require administrator privileges.

Windows\System32\GroupPolicy
Windows\System32\GroupPolicyUsers
ProgramFiles(x86)\Google\Policies
ProgramFiles\Google\Policies

Step 2. Removing Registry Keys

Next step is going through the registry keys that may contain malicious configurations. Press the Win+R combination, and type “regedit” in the search window. This will get you to the Registry Editor; there, find and delete the keys you see below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Update
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Chromium
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Chrome
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Google\Enrollment
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Chromium
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Google\Update\ClientState\{430FD4D0-B729-4F61-AA34-91526481799D}" /v "CloudManagementEnrollmentToken"

Not all keys may be present, as it depends on installed software, browser configurations, malware that did the changes and other things. Nonetheless, you should delete all the keys you can find.

Once done, reboot your computer to apply the changes. Then, you should be able to edit any of the Chrome settings and remove any browser extensions that may have previously been blocked from editing.

The post Removal Guide For The ZoomFind Chrome Extension appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Overview

SwiftSeek (like a ZoomFind or PrimeLookup) is a rogue Chrome extension that acts as a browser hijacker. That is a specific type of malware that aims at taking over the web browser, changing its behavior to the liking of malware masters. In this particular case, all search queries are getting redirected to malicious search engines – Finditfasts.com and Potterfun.com.

To complicate counteractions from the user, this extension exploits a remote management feature of Google Chrome and Chromium browser known as “Managed by your organization”. This line appears in settings once SwiftSeek extension is installed, rendering any attempts to change settings or remove the extension fruitless.

Over the last couple of months, search hijacker-type rogue extensions have become prevalent. The SwiftSeek falls into this category by all the parameters. They route user searches to a different search engine, the one controlled by fraudulent actors. This can end up with quite worrying consequences, especially when the user pays no attention to where they click.

How does it work?

SwiftSeek falls into the category of search hijacker. Key elements of its activity are about intercepting all the search queries made by the user and routing them through malicious search systems. With this specific plugin, Potterfun.com is the final destination, though this may change in other similar rogue extensions. In the process of redirection, however, an intermediary website shows up, where additional query parameters are added. This is what leads to the main danger of the attack scheme.

When the user types their search query, instead of Google (or the search engine of their choice) they see the results of Potterfun.com, additionally infused with search ads. And this is the major point of concern: these ads contain a lot of phishing pages and scams. Not like Google or Bing contain 100% safe promotions, but in these cases, dangerous results are meant to be here. Following them (which may easily happen for users who don’t understand what is happening) will certainly lead to credentials leak, money loss or even malware injection.

Spreading Ways

In the majority of cases, users get infected with SwiftSeek through fraudulent software sharing/downloading websites. They can offer unwanted extensions under the guise of a desired program, a game mod, or sometimes even a film. Unsuspecting folks click the downloaded file and in fact, install the malicious extension.

Sometimes users may see not a file sharing site, but a fake bot protection page, that requires one to confirm they’re a human by installing the “security browser plugin”. The outcome may be different, as quite a lot of other viruses use the same scheme. We have a special article regarding these fake human verification – consider checking that out.

Despite generally aiming at fraudulent spreading ways, it was available from the Chrome Web Store for a short period of time. It is likely done to legitimize the extension: users won’t see the warning in the Extension tab, and will find it through search in the Web Store. Nonetheless, it is not even remotely safe, as I’ve proven above.

How to Remove SwiftSeek?

There are two options for removing SwiftSeek, an automated approach and a manual one. I recommend sticking to automated, as it will eliminate the malicious extension and all other unwanted elements. Still, you can try undoing the extension manually, even though it is time consuming and requires certain amount of PC skill.

With Anti-Malware

To get rid of the SwiftSeek extension automatically, run a Full scan with GridinSoft Anti-Malware. This will take about 15 minutes, and will remove the malware even from the most remote parts of the system.

Download and install Anti-Malware by clicking the button below. After the installation, run a Full scan: this will check all the volumes present in the system, including hidden folders and system files. Scanning will take around 15 minutes.

After the scan, you will see the list of detected malicious and unwanted elements. It is possible to adjust the actions that the antimalware program does to each element: click "Advanced mode" and see the options in the drop-down menus. You can also see extended information about each detection - malware type, effects and potential source of infection.

Click "Clean Now" to start the removal process. Important: removal process may take several minutes when there are a lot of detections. Do not interrupt this process, and you will get your system as clean as new.

Video Guide

Manual Removal

To delete SwiftSeek manually, you will need to undo the changes it has made to the system. This involves going through the system registry, and also Group Policies list. Please, follow these steps thoroughly, so nothing will restrict you from deleting the pesky extension.

Step 1. Group Policies Removal

First step in dealing with Managed by your organization is to remove policies that the malware changes to enable this state. This method does not require having access to Group Policies Editor, which is unavailable for non-Pro editions of Windows. All you have to do is find and remove all the folders listed below. Note: their deletion will require administrator privileges.

Windows\System32\GroupPolicy
Windows\System32\GroupPolicyUsers
ProgramFiles(x86)\Google\Policies
ProgramFiles\Google\Policies

Step 2. Removing Registry Keys

Next step is going through the registry keys that may contain malicious configurations. Press the Win+R combination, and type “regedit” in the search window. This will get you to the Registry Editor; there, find and delete the keys you see below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Update
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Chromium
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Google\Chrome
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Google\Enrollment
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Chromium
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\Google\Update\ClientState\{430FD4D0-B729-4F61-AA34-91526481799D}" /v "CloudManagementEnrollmentToken"

Once done, reboot your computer to apply the changes. Then, you should be able to edit any of the Chrome settings and remove any browser extensions that may have previously been blocked from editing.

The post Removal Guide For The SwiftSeek Chrome Extension appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Can extensions be malicious?

Yes, extensions can be malicious, but the harm they can cause is quite specific. In terms of severity, a browser extension is not on par with full-fledged malware. Since extensions cannot go beyond the environment of a browser, they cannot infect the system, modify or delete system files, or directly manipulate the operating system (except for cases with vulnerabilities). However, some extensions can collect personal data, such as browsing history, passwords, and other confidential information, and transmit it to third parties without your consent. This makes them close to spyware and infostealers.

Depending on the type of extension, they can act differently and thus have distinct malicious potential: For example, some can open pop-up ads, redirect users to phishing sites or inject ads into websites where they are initially not present. Some extensions may contain malicious code that can initiate the download of other malicious programs. They can also change your browser settings without your knowledge, alter your homepage or search engine.

It is worth noting that a malicious browser extension these days is a rare find, unless you source them from official websites. Browser extensions are usually distributed through extension stores – platforms that have moderation and requirements, although they are not always effective for stopping malicious stuff. Should their system detect malicious activity or get a well-backed feedback on malignant behavior, the extension’s listing will cease to exist.

Main ways for dodgy extensions to spread are far away from the common routes of the Internet. Usually, they appear from a redirection made by a shady website that trades its traffic to random traffic brokers online. Upon redirection, the user will see an offer to install a “recommended extension” – to enhance security or to display the content. Sure enough, neither of these really happen after the installation.

Browser Hijacker

A browser hijacker is perhaps the most common type of malicious extension. Once installed, this extension changes your homepage and search engine. Even if the user navigates to google.com and performs a search, the extension redirects the query to its search engine. It also adds a special token to each search query, which modifies the search results. In the end, instead of relevant results, the user receives sponsored links that may not even match the query.

The primary risk of such extensions lies in the collection of personal information. The redirection that happens in the process throws the user through a selection of data broker sites, and each of them gathers whatever data they want. Aforementioned alteration of search results can casually throw the user to a phishing page. In some cases, this can result in the download of malicious software.

Adware

Adware extensions, as the name suggests, add advertisements to all the websites a user visits. Typically, these extensions disguise themselves as something useful or basic, such as extensions for finding discounts and promo codes. Notably, similar functionality is already present in Microsoft Edge. In practice, these extensions are useless; instead, they bombard the user with ads. Considering that adware does not do anything beyond the actions I’ve just mentioned, malicious browser extensions may be just an adware specimen.

Typical result of activity of adware browser extensions is hard to ignore. The browser starts to run slowly; clicking on any element on a page opens multiple tabs with ads, some of which may be malicious. Certain sites can automatically initiate the download of malicious software. Overall, the extension can seriously degrade the user experience and pose a threat to privacy.

Fake Cryptocurrency Wallet Extension

Fake cryptocurrency wallet extensions pose as legitimate crypto wallets, but their goal is to steal users’ credentials and funds. As I mentioned earlier, moderation in app stores is far from perfect, and sometimes malicious actors manage to place harmful extensions in official extension stores. These extensions may be disguised as popular wallets but have no actual affiliation with them.

When a user enters their credentials, such as private keys, mnemonic phrases, or passwords, the extension transmits this information to the malicious actors. This info allows the attackers to access the user’s real cryptocurrency wallets. Once they have access to the account, the attackers can transfer the funds to their accounts, leading to a complete loss of cryptocurrency for the user.

How to Stay Safe?

Malicious browser extensions are a type of threat you should not underestimate the dangers of. I have a few recommendations that can help you minimize the risks associated with malicious extensions. Firstly, try to avoid installing unnecessary extensions. I would recommend avoiding extensions from unverified sources altogether.

While most of us tend to click “next” to speed up the installation process when installing an extension from a store, I suggest paying attention to the developer and reading the reviews. Keep an eye on your installed extensions and promptly remove any that are unnecessary. Pay special attention when installing extensions related to cryptocurrency wallets. And finally, consider using decent anti-malware software that will notify you about the malicious activity that comes from such an extension.

The post Browser Extensions: Are They Safe? appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Why You Need to Reset Your Browser Settings

There are several important reasons why you might need to reset your browser settings:

• Malware infection – Many types of malware specifically target browsers to collect data or display unwanted ads
• Browser hijacking – When your homepage, search engine, or default settings are changed without permission
• Slow performance – Accumulated cache, cookies, and extensions can significantly slow down browsing speed
• Search redirects – Being redirected to unexpected websites when searching or clicking links
• Excessive advertisements – Seeing more ads than usual, often in unusual formats or positions
• Plugin conflicts – Having too many extensions or plugins can cause compatibility issues
• Privacy concerns – Suspicion that your browsing data is being collected without consent

Most malware not only infects your system but also compromises your browser. Unwanted redirects, sluggish search performance, invasive advertisements, and altered homepage or search engine settings are all common symptoms of a browser infection.

Moreover, such browser hijackers pose a serious threat to your privacy. GridinSoft’s research has uncovered numerous cases where unwanted search engines collect users’ search history and personal information, using this data for their own purposes. Not all security solutions offer protection against this type of data collection, but GridinSoft Anti-Malware includes online security features specifically designed to prevent unauthorized data harvesting.

Regular browser resets are also recommended if you use numerous browser extensions or plugins. These add-ons often conflict with each other, and the more you install, the higher the probability of experiencing performance issues. No one wants to deal with a slow, unresponsive browser that crashes unexpectedly.

How to Reset Browser Settings Automatically

The most efficient and user-friendly approach to resetting browser settings is to use an automated tool. GridinSoft Anti-Malware includes a specialized feature that can reset all your browsers to their default state with just a few clicks, saving you time and ensuring no important settings are overlooked.

Reset Multiple Browsers with GridinSoft Anti-Malware

Follow these steps to reset your browsers automatically:

1. Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware if you haven’t already
2. Launch the program and navigate to the “Tools” menu tab
3. Select the “Reset Browser Settings” option

In the Reset Browser Settings window:

4. Select the browsers you want to reset (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, etc.)
5. Choose which browser elements should be restored to their default state
6. Click the “Reset” button to begin the process

The selected browsers will automatically close during the reset process. When complete, they will be restored to their original default settings, removing any unwanted changes that may have been caused by malware or browser hijackers.

What Gets Reset During a Browser Reset?

When you reset your browser settings with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, you can choose which elements to restore to their default state:

• Homepage and Search Engine: Reverts to the browser’s default homepage and search provider
• Extensions/Add-ons: Disables or removes all extensions, particularly helpful for removing hidden malicious extensions
• Browsing History: Clears all browsing history, helping to eliminate any tracking or privacy concerns
• Cookies and Site Data: Removes all stored cookies and website data that might be used for tracking
• Cache: Clears the browser’s temporary storage, which can help improve performance
• Saved Passwords: Optional removal of stored credentials (use with caution)
• Tabs and Windows: Closes all open tabs and restores default startup behavior

How to Reset Browsers Manually

If you prefer to reset your browser manually, or don’t have access to GridinSoft Anti-Malware, you can follow these browser-specific instructions:

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome and click the three dots in the top-right corner
2. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu
3. Scroll down and click on “Advanced” to expand additional options
4. Under the “Reset and clean up” section, click “Restore settings to their original defaults”
5. In the confirmation dialog, click “Reset settings”

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner
2. Select “Help” and then “More troubleshooting information”
3. On the Troubleshooting Information page, click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the top-right section
4. In the confirmation dialog that appears, click “Refresh Firefox” again

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge and click the three dots in the top-right corner
2. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu
3. Click on “Reset settings” in the left sidebar
4. Under “Reset settings,” click “Restore settings to their default values”
5. In the confirmation dialog, click “Reset”

Opera

1. Open Opera and click the Opera logo in the top-left corner
2. Select “Settings” from the menu
3. Scroll down to the bottom and click “Advanced”
4. Navigate to the “Privacy & security” section
5. Click on “Restore settings to their original defaults”
6. In the confirmation dialog, click “Reset settings”

Safari (macOS)

1. Open Safari and click on “Safari” in the top menu bar
2. Select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu
3. Go to the “Privacy” tab and click “Manage Website Data”
4. Click “Remove All” to clear all website data
5. Go to the “Advanced” tab and check the box at the bottom that says “Show Develop menu in menu bar”
6. Close Preferences, click on the “Develop” menu in the menu bar, and select “Empty Caches”
7. To reset completely, you can also select “History” from the top menu and choose “Clear History…” (select “all history”)

Manual Reset vs. Automated Reset: Which is Better?

While both manual and automated browser resets can be effective, each approach has its advantages and limitations:

For most users, the automated approach with GridinSoft Anti-Malware offers significant advantages, particularly when dealing with browser hijackers or other malware that might resist standard reset procedures. The tool not only resets your browsers more thoroughly but also scans for and removes the underlying malware that caused the problem in the first place.

When to Reset Your Browser

You should consider resetting your browser settings in the following situations:

• After malware infection: Always reset browsers after removing malware, as lingering changes can persist
• When experiencing persistent redirects: If you’re constantly redirected to unexpected websites
• If your homepage keeps changing: When your set homepage reverts to something else after each restart
• Performance has degraded: When browsing becomes noticeably slower over time
• Excessive ads appear: If you’re seeing more ads than usual, especially in unusual formats
• Search results look unfamiliar: When search results don’t come from your preferred search engine
• Unknown extensions appear: If you notice extensions you didn’t install
• Browser crashes frequently: When experiencing repeated, unexplained crashes

For optimal browser performance and security, we also recommend performing a browser reset every 2-3 months as part of regular system maintenance, especially if you frequently install new extensions or visit a wide variety of websites.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

While knowing how to reset your browser is important, preventing browser hijacking and other issues is even better. Here are some preventative measures:

• Keep your browser updated: Always install the latest security updates for your browser
• Be selective with extensions: Only install extensions from official stores and regularly review installed ones
• Use proactive protection: Tools like GridinSoft Anti-Malware offer real-time protection against browser hijackers
• Be cautious when installing software: Always choose custom installation and decline additional offers
• Check download sources: Only download software from official websites
• Enable pop-up blocking: Most browsers have built-in pop-up blockers that should be enabled
• Consider a dedicated browser for sensitive activities: Use a separate browser for banking and important accounts

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my browser delete my bookmarks?

No, both manual browser resets and GridinSoft’s Reset Browser Settings tool preserve your bookmarks by default. However, other data like browsing history, cookies, cached images, and downloaded files may be removed during the reset process. If you’re concerned about losing important data, consider exporting your bookmarks before performing a reset.

Why does my browser keep getting hijacked even after resetting?

If your browser settings keep reverting after reset, it likely indicates that malware is still present on your system. Browser hijackers often persist through standard resets because they include components that run at system startup and reapply malicious settings. For persistent browser hijacking, you should perform a full system scan with GridinSoft Anti-Malware to remove the underlying malware before resetting your browser again.

Can I reset just specific browser settings rather than everything?

Yes, GridinSoft Anti-Malware’s Reset Browser Settings tool allows you to choose which specific elements to reset, including homepage and search settings, extensions, browsing history, cookies, and cached data. This selective approach lets you address specific problems without disrupting your entire browsing experience. Manual reset options in browsers typically offer fewer customization options.

Is it safe to reset my browser settings?

Yes, resetting your browser settings is generally safe and often beneficial for performance and security. The process restores your browser to its default state, removing potentially harmful changes while preserving essential data like bookmarks. The main consideration is that you may need to re-login to websites and reconfigure any custom settings after the reset is complete. Using GridinSoft’s Reset Browser Settings tool provides additional safety by allowing you to choose exactly what gets reset.

The post Reset Browser Chrome, Opera, Edge, Firefox and Safari to Default appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

What is the Yahoo Search Engine?

Yahoo is one of the first search engines that appeared on the Internet. In 1995, it was initially introduced as a search mechanism for cataloging the websites recommended by Yahoo. Further, they applied for a partnership with Inktomi and then Google. That allowed Yahoo to become much more popular. In 2003, they added a full-fledged web crawling service that extended the search results. However, in 2004 Google managed to outpace Yahoo by market share. Now it is just a part of niche services offered by Yahoo.

Besides its 100% benevolent nature, there are cases when users uncover that Yahoo is set as their search engine by force. Changing it to the one you used does not help – it will be switched back to Yahoo almost immediately. Searching with such settings is likely not comfortable because the results differ from what you expect. And the most unpleasant thing is that someone earns money for you with such changes.

How Does That Work?

Seeing your search engine constantly changed to Yahoo means that you have a malicious program on your computer. Such programs are usually identified as browser hijackers. As you can guess from their name, , they take control of your web browser without your allowance. They can change any setting in the infected browser, including the search engine, redirect search queries, open the websites and start the browser whenever it wants. The crooks control all this activity and designate all changes and redirects that malware does.

The exact form of that malware may be different. Most browser hijackers are tiny programs that sit deep on the disk. Throughout the last couple of years, they massively opted for the guise of a browser plugin. That makes the malware implementation much easier, and formally such plugins do not violate any rules – the user allows it to do all these nasty things during the installation.

Is the Yahoo Search in Chrome Dangerous?

There is no direct danger browser hijackers bring to your system. But since it can throw you on the website it wants, you may easily fall victim to phishing or unintentionally trigger the malware downloading. Same-quality crooks often make sites advertised by crooks, so the chance of seeing a legit site after the redirect is pretty low. Scam sites like Pornographic Virus Alert from Microsoft also appear among these redirections.

Besides the possibility of being scammed in such a way, you may also get your personal information stolen. In the cases when malware is spread as a browser hijacker, it asks you to give access to cookie files and browser history. Those two categories are pretty valuable for selling the data to third parties. Besides that, cookies may contain the login credentials in the unciphered form – that is just a gift for cybercriminals.

How Did I Get the Malware?

As I have mentioned before, browser hijackers may have different forms. Web browser plugin, “PC optimiser”, rogue – choose what you want. While all this diversity is hard to compare when you don’t know about the internal things, the externals – exactly how they are distributed- are most likely the same. Crooks who spread hijackers usually try to bait the user into installing the malware under something useful. Usually, such stuff is found on online forums, abandoned sites that were hacked, and advertisements.

Any advertised offers that look too generous or contain statements baiting you to click on them must not be trusted. Only God knows what will happen – redirection, malware downloading, or even throwing you to the exploit page. It is better not to choose at all – I recommend you avoid clicking such things. It is one of the most basic principles of cyber hygiene – don’t ignore it!

Remove Yahoo Search from Chrome

Most modern malware creates enough hitches in your system to make it harder to remove. Browser hijackers are not an exclusion. Users may delete some of the files, leaving the other part untouched. And the virus manages to recover its files using the rest of them. Detecting all malware parts is a thankless job. That’s why I’d advise you to use anti-malware software. Reverting the changes in the web browser is much easier, so I will show you how to reset your Chrome browser.

Anti-malware programs can find all malware parts by checking the paths specified in their code. Therefore, using a well-done antivirus that will detect and wipe all the files of browser hijackers is a perfect way to get rid of the latter. I will recommend GridinSoft Anti-Malware as the program that will 100% complete this task. Download it from our official website.

You can try out the full functionality of GridinSoft Anti-Malware during a 6-day free trial. After the app installation, you will be offered to type your nickname and email address to receive a free trial code. It will arrive right in your email after passing these steps. Without it, you can still scan your devices and reset the browsers but can’t remove the detects.

Reset Your Chrome Browser Settings

• Most of the contemporary browsers have the same reset steps. Chrome is not an exclusion; it is a trendsetter for the rest programs in this class. Go to Settings, and find there the Reset and Clean Up submenu.

• In it, click on the Restore settings to their original defaults. That will call the appearance of the pop-up window.

• In that pop-up window, accept the settings resetting. Then, your browser will be as good as the newly installed.

The post Yahoo Search: How to Remove Yahoo from Chrome? appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

Alas!

The browser starts to act stupid, redirecting and taking you places filled with creepy adverts or worse yet, issuing warnings of possible harm if you don’t “Update Your Flash Player.” And while the naïve would likely fall for the trap, smart and tech-savvy individuals may automatically note the adware running in the background. But as ubiquitous as the phenomenon is, adware attacks are a discreet way cyber criminals are using to make money off the unsuspecting.

Though it is probably the most popular way of telling that you are under attack, there are other subtle and perhaps less ferocious cyber attacks. There’s a form of adware gradually going mainstream. Besides redirecting, the virus goes ahead and alters your default search engine to something weird.

You start your PC, ready to browse the web, but once you key in whatever you need to search the web, you are redirected to a page with bizarre search results. It happens often and hurts the unsuspecting!

Pop-ads are yet another sign your computer is under an immense adware attack.

Simple as they appear, these pop-ads can be a source of immense misery, hurt your typical browsing habits and perhaps steal valuable data as you browse.

Many other times, these malicious occurrences make the PC act slower than it normally does, including lowering the average browsing speed and how the computer executes simple tasks. Of course, the phenomenon becomes more suspicious when you note the occurrence yet your PC doesn’t have a heavy program running or when you’re connected to a fast internet.

How Adware Works

Generally, these malicious tools are embedded into ‘free-ware’ or pirated software and act as part of a bundle of payment to the proprietor of the freely downloaded software.

Adware is simple software that comes with integrated advertising materials, including those that trigger redirects and pop-ups.

Mostly, the adware is activated whenever the tool that it is embedded in runs and the PC is connected to the internet.

At the moment, many software developers offer their products as “sponsored software” so that the ad pays for the free services provided. It is a pretty common type of adware and may continue until the user pays to register and thus unlock the ad off the software.

Regardless of how they work, these malicious attacks are very much annoying. Pop-ads waste a lot of time, while redirects and the slowing down of the PC hurt the ordinary performance of the computer. Aside from these, adware can set the stage for various other attacks, including spyware, ransomware and virus attacks.

How to avoid Adware

Tip #1 Never click any suspicious-looking pop-up windows and ads
Tip #2 Don’t answer or reply unsolicited emails and messages
Tip #3 Exercise utmost caution when downloading free software applications

Above all, invest in the best malware removal software. GridinSoft Anti-Malware does a great job!

The post Adware Everywhere: Who Knows What Is Happening? appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.

What Is Adware And Is It As Lethal As The Other Malicious Programs?

Adware or ad-sponsored software could be subtly harmless or aggravatingly consistent and deadly, depending on a couple of factors.

Mostly, the program is designed to benefit the marketer by collecting information regarding the target’s preferences. But that’s not where their work stops!

It will embark on removing all browser’s restrictions, change programs and browser setting and even alter the most preferred home page, all these happening without the PC owner’s consent. It would sound like a joke until endless and annoying ads pop-up out of nowhere.

However, some Adware programs are rather tolerable, primarily serving as the direct channel to deliver sales messages without those bothersome features. Software like Skype comes with adware in the form of embedded adverts, and they are specifically there to aid in the cost of development. Upon purchasing the premium version, ads are done away with altogether.

More lethal and irksome types that do all kinds of ills, from changing the browser’s default search engine to issuing stupid warnings to trick into buying an item exist. These far more insidious types don’t ask for permission to portray an ad. Typically, they thrive in illegal websites and display all kinds of ad banners, pop-ups, and other bizarre information, often in a more forceful manner.

At least, there are six different and terrifying ways cunning marketers are using to promote and showcase their items. Some of the most prevalent forms of adware include:

1. Numerous, intimidating ads and banners that cover the entire web page or blur the relevant information.
2. In-text ads with information – they tend to appear in-between the page.
3. Automatic video adverts that start to play once the page is opened.
4. Redirects from the main browser page – you are redirected to a particular web store and prompted to buy an item.
5. Pop-ups and pop-unders – you’re led to an online store or a blank page and teased that you’ve won a lottery so that you can submit your details.
6. Couponware, Reminderware, Loyaltyware, PPV, CPV, PopUps, Pop Unders, interruptive, interstitials.

Scammers are scheming and usually target import details such as the computer’s IP address, email address, names, credit card information and other personal data. All of them will be auctioned off to third-party marketers for a colossal sum of money. Quite honestly, adware programs are virtually infinite, and it get’s quite hard to stop all of them. However, just ensure you’ve got a premium, reputable anti-malware software.

The post 6 Terrifying Samples How Marketers Use Adware appeared first on Gridinsoft Blog.