About Search engine hijacking
What kind of application is Browser-Surf?Our analysis of the Browser-Surf application reveals that it functions as a browser extension designed to promote a particular URL (browser-surf.xyz) by modifying web browser settings. This modus operandi is commonly referred to as browser hijacking. It is advised to exercise caution with such applications and remove them from any affected browsers.Browser-Surf browser hijacker overviewBrowser-Surf takes control of a web browser by compelling users to utilize browser-surf.xyz as their primary search engine. Upon addition of this extension, it sets the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to browser-surf.xyz. Our investigation revealed that browser-surf.xyz is a counterfeit search engine.Instead of furnishing its search results, browser-surf.xyz directs users to bing.com. Users are presented with search results from Bing, a reputable search engine owned by Microsoft. Despite the redirection to bing.com, it remains crucial to emphasize the importance of steering clear of fake search engines like browser-surf.xyz.Fake search engines often lack the capability to deliver accurate and relevant search results, as their primary objective is typically to manipulate user behavior or promote certain websites for malicious purposes. Also, they may compromise user privacy and security by collecting sensitive browsing data or exposing users to malware and phishing attempts.It is worth noting that browser hijackers promoting fake search engines can be designed to gather various data. This may include browsing history, search queries, and even login credentials, financial information, and other sensitive details. This can lead to several issues, including compromised privacy, identity theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.Threat Summary:NameBrowser-SurfThreat TypeBrowser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New TabBrowser Extension(s)Browser-SurfSupposed FunctionalityImproved browsing experiencePromoted URLbrowser-surf.xyzDetection Names (browser-surf.xyz)Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)Serving IP Address (browser-surf.xyz)104.21.48.85Affected Browser SettingsHomepage, new tab URL, default search engineSymptomsManipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.Distribution methodsDeceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.DamageInternet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.Malware Removal (Windows)To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.ConclusionIn conclusion, the Browser-Surf app presents a classic case of browser hijacking, as it forcibly redirects users to a fake search engine, browser-surf.xyz, compromising their browsing experience and potentially endangering their privacy and security.This app demonstrates deceptive and malicious behavior by altering browser settings without user consent and redirecting searches to bing.com instead of providing
Key features of the Search engine hijacking that are enabled through these drivers include:
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Is doing nothing but acting as an unnecessary intermediary, duplicating the brand’s existing ad, bidding up their branded terms, and taking credit for sales resulting from traffic funneled through the ad.Why is affiliate ad hijacking harmful?Perhaps the most immediately damaging consequence of ad hijacking by affiliate marketers is that when their ads are shown, genuine branded ads are not. This is because Google Ads and Microsoft Ads will not display multiple ads at the same time which share the same display URL. If your affiliate’s ad is showing, then yours cannot. If your affiliate outbids you, you aren’t relegated to second place—your ad doesn’t show at all. Even when your ads do show, your average cost per click will be driven up as a result of the affiliate bidding on your keywords.But the harm doesn’t end there. Affiliate hijackers drive clicks through their tracking links, typically masked with redirects so that it’s more difficult for the brands they’re interfering with to identify the culprits. Ultimately, they earn a commission from clicks they never should have gotten in the first place.There are also secondary consequences of ad hijacking. Such affiliates may use brand messaging which is out of date or inaccurate, diminishing the perceived prestige of the brand.To summarize the above, the consequences of ad hijacking can include:Reduced impressions, clicks, and sales from branded campaigns attributed to your SEM effortsIncreased CPCs because you are competing with yourselfInflated affiliate commission costsMisleading or inflated auction insights data. Since the affiliate is marketing their ads using your top level domain as the display URL, auction insights will include the affiliate’s ad performance in your auction insights reportBrand damageHow do you tell if affiliates are hijacking your ads?In most instances, you will not be able to tell whether an affiliate is hijacking your ads simply by looking at an ad, unless you notice the use of unapproved messaging. That is what makes ad hijacking such a challenging problem to detect and eliminate, as hijacked ads look like official, branded ads, and ultimately take shoppers to the expected destination on your site. The only tell is the brief redirect from the search engine, through the affiliate’s tracking URL, and finally to your site.Note that nefarious affiliates may use ad scheduling, tracking URLs that resemble your ad tracking provider URLs, and geotargeting settings that make it difficult to catch them in the act. For instance, they may
