Toolbars&Hijackers

TamperMonkey by Jan Biniok is controversial browser extension, that can be installed in many browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer and some others. It allows users to install and maintain custom scripts in browsers, that can serve different purposes. For example, it may help download music and video content from social networks or filter ads. TamperMonkey also works in symbiosis with other popular plugins to perform certain tasks or expand functionality. However, along with pros users get unpleasant cons. In particular, many users complain, that TamperMonkey installs without their consent. Some users see third-party ads after installing this add-on. Generally, there are concerns about the security and privacy of this application, as it gets access to deep internal browser settings and has a large user database of 10 million users.

TotalRecipeSearch Toolbar by Ask Applications is objectionable browser extension, that is mostly distributed on Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox platforms on Windows and Mac. But, in a particular case can be met on Safari, Edge or Internet Explorer. It is a part of the wide-spread Mindspark network, that consists of hundreds of typical toolbars and browser add-ons. Such "browser helper objects" replace default search engine and homepage in affected browsers with hp.myway.com search engine. The main page of this website provides quick access to recipe catalogs, but the basic search engine provides results stuffed by ads and sponsored results, although it is marked as "enhanced by Google". The earning on advertising revenue from in-search ads is a type of monetization TotalRecipeSearch Toolbar uses. In addition, adware gathers access to browsers information, such as history, cookies, settings.

Searchbaron.com is an annoying search redirect, that is caused by adware, installed on your Mac. It manifests itself in Safari, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers. Searchbaron.com may initiate multiple redirects until it reaches a final destination - search results page. Searchbaron.com redirects are caused by the malicious activity of applications like PasteBoard, Spotlight.app, Space.app. Such apps can be presented by the application, add-on, malicious device profile or just virus file or process. The chain of redirects, that Searchbaron.com starts serves the goal to collect information about user's browsing habits. This data is then actively used by advertising companies to create highly targeted ads.

Searchmine.net (a.k.a. SearchMine) is low-quality search engine related to notorious webcrawler.com developed by InfoSpace Holdings LLC, that provides irrelevant search results filled with ads and sponsored content. Hijacker replaces default browser settings, such as the search engine, the home page, new tab, with new values. All user's searches will be redirected to http://www.webcrawler.com, that delivers results drastically different from familiar Google.com, Yahoo.com, Bing.com. WebCrawler is offering search solutions to monetize audience via a search-based advertising revenue stream and shares revenue with software developers and website owners, that compulsively spread Searchmine.net and other similar malware. The main danger of such services is the loss of online privacy and using gathered data by the malware to send ads and pop-ups.

Ecosia.org or Ecosia is contradictory search engine and browser add-on, that can override default settings of search, homepage and new tab in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Safari on Windows or Mac OS. On their website, it is stated, that Ecosia is Germany-based internet search engine. It donates 80% of revenue to ecological companies focusing on planting trees. From a technical point of view, this is Bing-affiliated search, that provides results almost identical to Bing.com. The search engine is accompanied by extensions for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox with more than 2 million users. It is difficult to verify whether the statements of developers are true or false, but actions of Ecosia fall into the category of browser hijackers. Many users complained that Ecosia.org appeared in browsers out of nowhere, without their agreement.

Mapsnow.co and Maps Now are, accordingly, unwanted search engine and browser add-on, that modifies and controls browser's settings in Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox on Windows or Mac. Hijacker overrides default or user-installed values of search engine, home page and new tab with www.mapsnow.co website, that, in its turn, redirects search queries to search.yahoo.com. Developers of Maps Now application claim, that it provides quick and convenient access to maps and directions from the start page of your browser. However, in fact, it creates third party search page, with links to well-known online maps, such as Google Maps, Bing Maps and MapQuest. Sole purpose of this extension is to earn on advertising revenue from redirecting to other search engine, and probably, from promoting other websites and programs.

Goto-searchitnow.global.ssl.fastly.net is intermediary domain, used by search hijackers to redirect user's queries from well-known search engines to Searchitnow.info and vice versa. Goto-searchitnow.global.ssl.fastly.net can be seen in Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox on Mac. Probably, it is used to drive traffic through faster cloud servers. If your searches are compromised like this, it means there is an adware module installed on your Mac. It can be presented by application, add-on, malicious device profile or just virus file and process.

Easy Speed Test Access or Search.easyspeedtestaccess.com is nasty browser hijacker and adware, that modifies search engine, homepage and new tab settings in Safari, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. It can infect both Windows and Mac computers. Virus gets access to browsers data by installing extension, users themselves download it from phishing or advertising pages. Add-ons can be called: Easy Speed Test Access, Speed Test, Super Speed Tester, etc. After infiltration, hijacker sets search.easyspeedtestaccess.com as default search and opens it as homepage or new tab at every start. Page looks like typical third-party search engine, with toolbar, quick links to shopping sites and social networks and, in this case, to websites, that provide internet speed testing functionality. Search queries are redirected to search.yahoo.com.