Browser hijackers can also originate from shareware, freeware, adware and spyware infections.īrowser hijackers are likely to be downloaded unintentionally by the user. The browser hijacking software could be bundled with a browser extension or be part of the software.

Browser hijackers may also install ransomware, a type of malware that encrypts data on the victim's system, holding it hostage until the victim pays the hijackers a sum of money to unlock it.īrowser hijackers can infect devices through malicious email attachments, by downloading infected files or by visiting infected websites. The cybercriminal can also sell information about the victim's browsing habits to third parties for marketing purposes.Ī browser hijacker may contain spyware, enabling the attacker to obtain the user's banking information, credit card number or other sensitive data. When the user clicks on the search results, the hijacker gets paid. Next, the hijacker redirects a victim's web searches to links the hijacker wants the victim to see, rather than to legitimate search engine results.

For instance, a browser redirects the victim's homepage to the hijacker's search page.

Part of the aim of a browser hijacker is to help the cybercriminal generate fraudulent advertising revenue.

It is often called a browser redirect virus because it redirects the browser to other, usually malicious, websites. Gillis, Technical Writer and EditorĪ browser hijacker is a malware program that modifies web browser settings without the user's permission and redirects the user to websites the user had not intended to visit.

Google chrome browser hijack