Pop-ups

According to its name, SmartWebSearch is supposedly meant to provide smarter searching tools that will enhance the browsing experience. Although, it is a browser hijacker that targets Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari browsers located on Mac systems. Being categorized as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), SmartWebSearch alters the browser settings touching the homepage appearance. The program will, therefore, add a couple of shortcuts to quickly access the most popular platforms like Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Besides that, SmartWebSearch migrates default search engine to weknow.ac, searchmine.net, chumsearch.com, and other dubious engines. Whilst these changes may seem useful, browser hijackers are often designed to earn money by gathering browser-related data like passwords, browsing history, geolocations, and IP-addresses that are sold to cybercriminals.

Web Zoom is a potentially unwanted program categorized as adware. Such programs cause absolute clutter around your browser by displaying various types of advertisements. Whilst the initial purpose is to improve browsing by generating ostensibly useful content based on user's habits, the reality looks totally different. Banners and coupons promoted by Web Zoom may contain hidden links that, once clicked, redirect users to malicious websites that run executable scripts or force you to do something. Advertisements shown by Web Zoom can be called: "Ads by Web Zoom", "Powered by Web Zoom", "Brought to you by Web Zoom".

AphroditeResults (AphroditeTechResults) is a type of virus that targets Macintosh users by changing browser settings. Systems infected with such a program experience a notification saying that Google Chrome has blocked an extension called AphroditeResults (or AphroditeTechResults) which tries to enable itself in order to alter the homepage and switch your search engine to "search.logicalmodule.com". Usually, people install these extensions unknowingly because of an unwanted program installed on the PC. Such symptoms are similar to browser hijackers that are meant to ostensibly improve browsing. However, they are purposely created to gather personal data (e.g. passwords, history, IP-addresses, geolocations) and deliver it to cybercriminals for revenue purposes. Furthermore, such infiltrations can display questionable ads that hover upon pages and contain malicious redirects. Removing the extension from the browser may not be enough because the program will instantly reinstall it.

Mp3juices.cc is an online instrument allowing users to convert videos (.mp4) into an audio format (.mp3). You simply type in your search query or paste the link of the preferred video to download an audio file. Whilst this site may seem very useful, it uses rogue advertising networks to cause malicious redirects. Such websites contain hidden buttons or links that are accidentally clicked and redirect users to questionable pages that host infectious content. On top of that, Mp3juices.cc tries to trick you into allowing fake push notifications that are meant to settle adware on your computer in order to spread unwanted banners, coupons, and other kinds of advertisements. Such infections can allow cybercriminals to spy on your activity and gather sensitive data like passwords, geolocations, IP-addresses, and sell it to third-parties. In addition, Mp3juices.cc was also spotted to be advertising fake system optimization utilities like CleanMyMac and various others.

Ad.doubleclick.net is a legitimate advertising service, that, in some cases, can be related to adware. Although Google ads editors moderate the quality of advertisers, very often this platform is used by unscrupulous vendors. Initially, it is a marketing domain used by Google for displaying a wide range of different ads. On the surface, ads look very appealing and positive, but this is a cover used to tantalize users into clicking on them that may eventually result in a chain of malicious resources like landing pages, free file hosting websites and other unwanted ones. These undesirable visits can force raw users into inadvertently downloading adware on their computers. Adware is classified as a low-level threat that can be easily removed, however, it is very annoying by means of advertisement distribution that is occasionally displayed on the screen. Curiosity and unawareness are the biggest enemies for inexperienced users because they are easily induced into clicking on these ads hence putting their data under a huge risk.

As developers state, WindowMix is designed to enhance your browsing by adding "more intelligent searching algorithms". However, this is a fool since WindowWix was recently categorized as an adware-type program. Basically, adware is meant to promote intrusive ads, banners, hyperlinks, or coupons that redirect users to malicious and untrustworthy websites that include unwanted programs, fake software updaters, and others. Clicking on any of the ads can also lead to the websites that, once entered, start running executable scripts that will infect PC without users' consent. WindowMix does not conceal its presence and can be easily found by its icon (white magnifying glass with the green background) on the desktop. Besides that, adware is known to be collecting personal data like passwords, browsing history, IP-addresses, and geolocations.

xxxVido is an adware-type infection that bombards users' browsers with intrusive advertisements, therefore, spoiling the entire experience. Most users encounter with these kinds of infiltrations inadvertently. Once installed, xxxVido vigorously modifies the browser settings that cannot be rolled back. These changes commonly lead to the endless appearance of malicious ads hovering on any pages you visit. Such ads can potentially contain suspicious redirects to adult-based websites broadcasting pornography content. On top of that, after infecting your system with adware, extortionists can easily track the whole spectrum of information like passwords, geolocations, IP-addresses, browsing history and other sorts that can be traded to third-parties for monetary means.

Fuq.com is a malicious redirect classified as a browser hijacker that aggressively transmits people to adult-based pages. It has been spotted targetting solely Mac users, however, there are various similar pieces that pursue other operating systems either. The very first symptom that may hint on the presence of some Unwanted Application installed on your computer is unexpected browser changes that alter default homepage to http:/www.fuq.com and internal settings as a result. Fuq.com is designed to promote porn content which is a crafty way to tantalize and curb gullible users. However, these redirects lead to tremendous information leaks like passwords, credentials, IP-addresses, geolocations and other data that can be transferred to third-parties for enriching their wallets. These nasty extortionists are capable of tracking down browsing activity, therefore, putting your data under a huge risk.