About Browser Hijackers - Infection and Removal

A browser hijacker is a type of spyware or malicious program designed to replace an existing internet browser setting to change the home, error, or search page and redirect the user to another site. Hijackers create these types of software to force hits to a particular website. Browser hijackers also records each web page the user views and sends the information using an unseen internet connection. Most browser hijackers are used for advertising, marketing, and commercial purposes. Needless to say, all browser hijackers are dangerous, harmful, and are a risk to security and privacy.

How Browser Hijackers Cause Infection

It is common to mistake browser hijackers for regular viruses, but they are not the same. A browser hijacker does not spread through a computer system by itself. It must be installed on the computer with or without the users consent. There are a few ways that these hijackers or parasites can infect the system.

1. Typically hijackers are installed by freeware, which is usually unsafer. In addition, they can be installed through advertisings, shareware, and installation of browser add-ons, also known as toolbars. This includes products like online instant messengers which can change default computer settings. In most cases, uninstalling these programs does not remove the browser hijacker software.

2. Sometimes spyware have browser hijacker software attached to it, and quietly installs the parasites. Once again, removing the spyware does not have an affect on the browser hijacker.

3. The use of Internet Explorer ActiveX controls can spread parasites into the system. Creaters of the system run mostly pornographic and illegal content that are unsafe and contain a malicious code. The user is oblivious to the hijacking because browser hijackers do not give warnings, dialogs or setup wizards.

Examples of browser hijackers include SafeSearch, CoolWebSearch, and third party toolbars for Internet Explorer.

Removing Browser Hijackers

As mentioned before, most parasites or browser hijackers are very similar to spyware and cannot be deleted or removed with regular antivirus software. Anti-spyware tools should be used to remove browser hijackers. The anti-spyware scans the system like like an antivirus, but also detects and removes privacy risks. Effective anti-spyware includes HijackThis, CWShredder, Search & Destroy, Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta, eTrust PestPatrol, and Spyware Doctor.