Homerun Extension Will Swap Your Browser's Search
During our investigation of fraudulent websites, the Homerun Extension caught the attention of our research team. Marketed as a tool for easy access to the latest sports news and other content, our analysis of the browser extension found that it actually operates as a browser hijacker.
The Homerun Extension modifies browser settings, redirecting searches to the search.homerun.fun fake search engine. Upon installation, it changes the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URLs to the search.homerun.fun website, resulting in unwanted redirects when opening new browser tabs/windows or performing searches via the URL bar.
Fake search engines, like search.homerun.fun, rarely generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. In our testing, we observed it redirecting to Bing, although this may differ depending on user location and other factors. It's worth noting that browser hijacking software often uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent recovery of the browser, and Homerun Extension is no exception.
In addition, this browser extension has data-tracking capabilities. Browser hijackers typically collect browsing information such as visited URLs, webpages, search queries, cookies, personally identifiable information, login credentials, financial data, and other data that can be sold to third parties or otherwise exploited for profit.
How Can Browser Hijackers Change Your Browser's Settings and Why Should You Avoid That?
Browser hijackers can change your browser's settings by modifying the configuration files and registry keys of the browser. They may also install browser extensions or add-ons without your consent or knowledge. By doing so, they can alter your homepage, default search engine, new tab page, and other settings to redirect your searches and page views to fake or malicious websites.
Browser hijackers use various tactics to trick users into installing them, such as bundled software, fake update alerts, or social engineering techniques. Once installed, they can collect your personal information, track your browsing activity, and show you unwanted ads or pop-ups. In some cases, they may also install malware or other harmful software on your computer.
There are several reasons why you should avoid browser hijackers. First, they can compromise your online privacy and security by collecting your personal information and redirecting your searches to potentially harmful websites. They can also slow down your computer's performance and cause crashes or other technical issues.
Second, browser hijackers are often difficult to remove and may require advanced technical skills or specialized software. Some browser hijackers use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent their removal or to reinstate themselves after being removed.
To avoid browser hijackers, you should be cautious when downloading software from the internet, especially from unfamiliar or untrusted sources. You should also keep your browser and operating system up-to-date, and use anti-virus and anti-malware software to protect your computer from security threats. Finally, if you notice any suspicious changes in your browser's settings, you should investigate and remove any unwanted extensions or add-ons immediately.
