Browser Hijackers are usually obtained by installing extensions within web browsers. A seemingly useful search toolbar, or an extension that helps with a web task can in some cases turn out to take unwarranted control of a web browser. This control can include changing the homepage, changing the default search engine, redirecting clicks or URLs to other websites and can cause adverts to be injected in viewed web pages or ads to annoyingly pop up.
Browser hijackers are old hat, and in most cases today, not malicious. The vast majority of modern browser hijackers are forcing users to junk search engines and websites because ad revenue is earned by the hijacker developer each time they refer a user to a specific site or search. Browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox have regulated extension stores, in which they check to ensure browser hijackers are not hosted.
These aren’t normally viruses or malware, normally we define browser hijackers as unwanted software as their objective is to serve ads as opposed to do something malicious. For that reason, they’re often fairly simple to remove and aren’t always picked up by Antivirus.
Signs of Browser Hijackers
- Searches redirected to different websites
- Slow loading webpages
- Homepage changed
- Multiple toolbars on a web browser
- Multiple pop-ups appearing
How to stay protected against Browser Hijackers
Using TotalAV Real-Time Protection will prevent malicious Browser Hijackers from getting on your computer in the first place. Ensuring browser extensions are only installed through browser-specific extension stores would be wise. If you think you currently have a browser hijacker, please visit this TotalAV article for steps to remove.