What is the Nature Extension Browser Hijacker?
During a check on suspicious websites, our team discovered the Nature Extension, which offers users nature-themed browser wallpapers.
However, further analysis revealed that the extension is actually a browser hijacker that modifies browser settings to promote the find.bsearchup.com fake search engine. Browser hijackers commonly change browser settings such as homepages, default search engines, and new browser tabs/windows to redirect users to the promoted sites. With Nature Extension installed, search queries typed into the URL bar or new browser tabs/windows opened result in redirects to find.bsearchup.com.
Illegitimate search engines like find.bsearchup.com are usually unable to generate search results, so they redirect users to genuine internet search websites. At the time of our research, find.bsearchup.com redirected to Bing (bing.com), but this might differ based on factors like user geolocation.
Additionally, Nature Extension is designed to be persistent, making it difficult for users to restore their browsers to their original settings. The extension also has data-tracking capabilities, which means it can collect information such as viewed pages, visited URLs, and IP addresses. In some cases, it may even collect personally identifiable information, usernames, passwords, and finance-related details. This data can then be sold to third parties or misused for profit.
How Can Fake Search Engine Pose a Potential Online Privacy and Security Threat?
Fake search engines can pose a potential threat to online privacy and security in several ways. First, they are often promoted by browser hijackers, which can modify browser settings to redirect users to the fake search engine. This can lead to exposure to inaccurate, deceptive, and even malicious content. In addition, fake search engines may have data-tracking capabilities, collecting sensitive information such as searched queries, visited URLs, viewed pages, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, and finance-related data. This information can then be sold to third parties or abused for profit.
Fake search engines may also serve as a gateway to other unreliable or harmful websites, potentially leading to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft. Therefore, it is important to be cautious and vigilant while browsing the internet and to use legitimate and reputable search engines to ensure online privacy and security.
