This method is effective since many users do not pay enough attention when they are downloading and/or installing various, usually free software.ĭevelopers include PUAs in various download, installation setups and hide information about it in their settings like "Custom", "Advanced".
How did ByteFence Secure Browsing install on my computer?īyteFence Secure Browsing is available for download on its official website, however, developers distribute it by using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party apps with regular software) too. Nevertheless, very often they do not deliver any value and cause only problems. It is common that they are advertised as useful, legitimate apps that supposed to deliver some features, improve browsing experience, etc. As a rule, such apps are designed to promote address of some fake search engine and collect browsing data. There are many various browser hijackers, a couple of examples are Coupon Search, SearchAnything and Templates Here Tab. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of read more.
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. 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
Threat Summary: Nameīrowser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New TabĬlamAV (-6651539-0), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/ByteFence.A Potentially Unwanted), Fortinet (Riskware/ByteFence), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/ByteFence), Full List Of Detections ( VirusTotal)īyteFence Secure Browsing is advertised as a tool which increases browsing safety
Therefore, any installed browser hijacker should be uninstalled as soon as possible and never downloaded, installed again. Users who have their browsers hijacked by apps like ByteFence Secure Browsing risk risk to become victims of identity theft, experience problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, and/or other issues. It is worthwhile to mention that gathered information may be sold to some cyber criminals. What is worse, their developers may sell collected data to third parties who could misuse it to generate revenue in various ways. Sometimes apps of this type can be used as tools to collect personal, confidential details. Usually they target details like IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of opened/visited pages, entered search queries, and so on. Furthermore, it is common that browser hijackers can access and collect various browsing data. The only way to stop browsers hijacked by ByteFence Secure Browsing from opening is to uninstall this browser hijacker. This fake search engine does not generate any individual results, it displays results generated by Yahoo search engine (it redirects users to ). Simply said, this app is designed to make sure that users would visit every time they open a browser, new tab and enter search queries into URL bar. Browser hijackers are called PUAs because users often download them unknowingly, inadvertently.Īfter installation browser hijackers modify settings such as address of a default search engine, homepage and new tab. ByteFence Secure Browsing changes these settings to and does not allow users to remove this address as long as it is installed. It does that by changing certain browser's settings. Typically, browser hijackers are designed to collect information related to user's browsing habits and promote address of a fake search engine. ByteFence Secure Browsing promotes. ByteFence Secure Browsing is the name of a browser hijacker, a potentially unwanted application (PUA) which is developed by the same company and is being distributed that way too. Developed by Byte Technologies, ByteFence is a legitimate anti-malware suite which is occasionally distributed by including it in setups of other software.