Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.ĭeceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine Improved search results, quick access to popular websites. We strongly recommend that you eliminate the Smart Search browser hijacker and never return to Threat Summary: Nameīrowser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tabĭetection Names (WhatsMySpeed-22689708.exe)Īvast (Win32:AdwareSig ), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/WinWrapper.V Potentially Unwanted), DrWeb (Adware.Spigot.145), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:), Full List Of Detections ( VirusTotal) Therefore, data tracking might lead to serious privacy issues and identity theft. This data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private details. The list of data types collected by browser hijackers and fake search engines typically include IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and geolocations. Smart Search and continually record information relating to browsing activity. Therefore, users simply end up searching via Yahoo (a legitimate search engine) and becomes redundant, as it does not generate any unique results. In addition, redirects users to when a search query is entered. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit when they enter a search query or simply open a new browser tab/window. This browser hijacker reassigns settings (or simply prevents users from accessing them) when attempts are made to change them. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them. There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) installation without users' consent 2) promotion of a fake search engine, and 3) tracking of browsing activity.Īs mentioned, Smart Search promotes the website by hijacking browsers and assigning the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine options to the URL (). Its appearance suggests that Smart Search is legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted application (PUA). Smart Search (not to be confused with Smart Search virus) is a deceptive application that claims to enhance the browsing experience by improving the accuracy of search results and providing quick access to various popular websites.
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