Mountain Wallpaper Browser Extension
Our team conducted an examination of the Mountain Wallpaper browser extension and determined that it functions as a browser hijacker. Its primary objective is to promote find.pmywebsrc.com, a fraudulent search engine, by altering the settings of the hijacked browser. Typically, users inadvertently introduce browser hijackers to their browsers.
The Mountain Wallpaper browser extension, while acting as a browser hijacker, implements modifications to various settings within the affected browser. These alterations encompass changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page settings to ensure that users are directed to find.pmywebsrc.com.
However, it's essential to exercise caution because this counterfeit search engine essentially redirects users to bing.com, which is operated by Microsoft, in an attempt to appear genuine. The use of fake search engines like find.pmywebsrc.com carries several risks.
Users are frequently misled into believing they are utilizing a legitimate search engine, despite their search queries being rerouted to reputable search engines such as Bing. Fake search engines like find.pmywebsrc.com are often designed to monitor user activities, gather personal information, and display targeted ads without the user's consent.
Moreover, fake search engines may include dubious ads and links to potentially malicious websites in their search results. Consequently, it is strongly recommended not to use questionable search engines and to uninstall applications that hijack web browsers.
What Are Browser Hijackers?
Browser hijackers are a type of potentially unwanted software that forcefully alter the settings of a web browser without the user's consent. These changes are typically made to the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page settings. Browser hijackers can affect various web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and others.
Here are some key characteristics and effects of browser hijackers:
Homepage Modification: Browser hijackers often change the browser's homepage to a specific website, usually one that is affiliated with the hijacker's creators or sponsors. This can result in users being directed to a particular website every time they open their browser.
Default Search Engine Change: Browser hijackers may replace the browser's default search engine with a different one, often a custom or fake search engine. When users perform searches in the address bar or search box, results are generated from the hijacker's chosen search engine.
New Tab Page Alteration: Some browser hijackers also modify the new tab page, setting it to open a specific website or a custom page filled with advertisements and links.
Unwanted Redirects: Browser hijackers can force redirects, sending users to specific websites or search engines against their will. These redirects can disrupt the user's browsing experience and take them to potentially unsafe or unwanted sites.
Increased Display of Ads: Browser hijackers often display an excessive number of advertisements, including pop-ups, banners, and in-text ads, on websites that users visit. These ads can be intrusive and annoying.
Tracking and Data Collection: Many browser hijackers collect user data, such as browsing habits, search queries, and website visits. This information is often used for targeted advertising.
