SAI Assistant Rogue Browser Extension Changes Settings Without Permission
Upon investigating the SAI assistant browser extension, our team discovered that it alters a web browser's settings to promote a phony search engine, search.extjourney.com, which classifies it as a browser hijacker. This search engine appears to generate results via Bing, but may be altered to push certain products or websites.
Moreover, search.extjourney.com may generate income for its creators by displaying unwanted content, including ads and sponsored search results. Once installed, SAI assistant sets search.extjourney.com as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page, redirecting users to bing.com via distinct-searches.com.
In addition to promoting search.extjourney.com, SAI assistant can also read and modify all data on any website, posing a significant threat to users' online security and privacy. This level of access means that the extension can potentially view and edit any information entered or viewed on any website, making it crucial for users to avoid downloading the app.
How Can Rogue Browser Extensions Switch Up Your Browser's Settings and Cause Issues?
Rogue browser extensions can modify a user's web browser settings and cause various issues. Once installed, these extensions can change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to a fake search engine, display unwanted pop-up ads, and redirect users to untrustworthy pages.
The main problem with rogue extensions is that they can access and modify all data on all websites. This means that they can read any information entered by a user on a web page, such as passwords, login credentials, and credit card details. Additionally, rogue extensions can redirect users to websites that may be designed to generate revenue for the extension's creators or trick users into downloading malicious software.
Rogue extensions may also lead to decreased browser performance and stability issues. They may slow down the browser, crash it, or cause it to freeze. Overall, rogue browser extensions can pose a significant risk to a user's online privacy and security and should be avoided. It's recommended to install extensions only from trusted sources and to regularly review and remove any suspicious ones.
