Why You Should Beware of the Capital Buff Browser Hijacker
During the investigation of suspicious websites promoting software, the research team discovered the Capital Buff browser extension, which was described as an extension that increases efficiency by providing a to-do list widget and browser bookmark organization. However, after analyzing this extension, it was found to be a browser hijacker that modifies browsers to promote the fake search engine, capital-buff.com, and also tracks the users' browsing activity.
Capital Buff changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs to redirect to the fake search engine. It uses techniques to ensure persistence and prevent users from recovering their browsers. Even though fake search engines cannot provide search results, they redirect to genuine ones, as capital-buff.com redirects to Bing at the time of research, which could change depending on various factors such as the user's location.
Capital Buff has data-tracking abilities, which include browsing history, viewed web pages, search queries, bookmarks, login details, personal information, finance-related information, etc. This information can be sold to third parties or misused for profit.
How Are Browser Hijackers Similar to Capital Buff Usually Distributed?
Browser hijackers are usually distributed through malicious software, such as malware. This can include malicious downloads, software bundling, and drive-by downloads. Both browser hijackers can also be spread through malicious websites or by clicking on compromised links. They may also be spread through email attachments or links in emails from unknown sources. Once a computer is infected with either type of malicious software, it can result in pop-up advertisements, redirects to unwanted sites, changes to the browser settings, and more.
