A Fast Fix For An Overcoming Hijacking Browser | Know About Hijacking

Is your browser acting funny? Is your browser hijacked? If it is, then how to tell if it’s hijacked or not? What should you do about it?

If you are looking for answers to such questions, you are in the right place. The topics covered in this post are –

What is browser hijacking and how is it done?

Problems that come up with a hijacked browser.

Preventive measures.

What Is Browser Hijacking And How Is It Done?

Browser hijacking takes place when you download and install malicious software on to your device which redirects you to a page, which might be a phishing website and delves into data mining.

It can even spy on you online. This malicious software is usually developed by a hacker with ill intent. This might also benefit the hacker by increasing the traffic to his page.

This malicious software has many ways of getting into your device; the hacker uses several means to trick the innocent internet user. This might get into your device by:

◊ peer to peer file sharing which is the case for torrenting,

◊ email,

◊ when you unwittingly clicked a malicious link,

◊ when you share data with an infected device,

◊ when you unwittingly click the popup ads while playing games online,

◊ when you update software by redirecting links or

◊ when you download the malicious software while installing or

◊ download another software which comes bundled with it.

It is always wise to check twice before you check the boxes and click the ‘I Agree’ and ‘Install’ button.

Problems Associated With Browser Hijacking

♦ You will get to see a toolbar that you didn’t install, but it’s there.

♦ Web pages will take forever to load. You can take a shower in the meantime.

♦ The homepage of your browser will change without you having any hand in it.

♦ Multiple popup ads.

♦ Your browser will keep on redirecting you to some other website.

♦ It will display a warning message that your computer has been hacked.

Preventive Measures

You can follow the following measure to be safe and secure on the internet.

• Always keep your browser and OS updated to the latest version because every new update comes with new security features which you will miss out on if you don’t.
• Change your browser setting to default; this will reset your browser. This should be done because in many cases some settings tinkered by the malicious software remains unchanged even after you remove the software.
• Turn on the real-time protection feature in antivirus program; it notifies you every time software attempts to tinker with the configuration files and settings.
• While installing any software, read the fine print properly and check what other software comes bundled with it. You can uncheck the installation box for such unwanted software. Also, avoid downloading cracked software and software from third party websites which are less trustworthy.
• Remove any fishy and unwanted extensions from your browser.
• Use an alternate DNS.
• Check the shortcut icon of your browser and delete any unwanted program from it.
• In the worst case scenario, you may need a new drive or BIOS.