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Your browser now has a new start page and a new search page. Every time your
browser loads a page that doesn't exist, you end up at some strange site, probably
filled with popup ads or worse - pornography. Nothing you do, from resetting
the home page in your options menu to rebooting your machine gets rid of the
problem.
If you're really unlucky, the first new page you try to load has called up
so many pop ups that your machine will virtually lock up until professionally
serviced.
Browser hijacking is a very real and annoying problem. If the hijacker program
starts sending you off to pornography websites - there's a real chance it might
have caused pornography to be downloaded onto your hard drive. Porn on a work
computer has the potential to get your into real trouble.
Spyware, the generic term for software that installs itself and records your
movements, information and other bits to send back to its source, is a general
nuisance. Browser hijacking is a form of spyware that subverts your browser
settings and leaves you in a bind. If you don't have something that can prevent
or at least detect and reset it, you could be in for some trouble.
Many savvy users who discover the problem find it very difficult to repair.
Critical files like "Internet Options" are missing from the control
panel of the operating system. So, now it's time to sort through the various
.dll files or .ini file extensions - looking for a configuration that was altered.
Next, the person experiencing the problem becomes so frustrated that they delete
their browser and try to reinstall or the worst yet, completely reformat the
hard drive - convinced that it is irreparable.
Well, reformatting will work - but only until the hijack software has been
downloaded once more from wherever it was retrieved from in the first place.
Most anti-spyware software contains code for detecting and removing browser
hijackers; it requires activation of the software to detect it for some programs.
Other pay versions include real time blockers that will actually prevent a browser
hijacker from installing itself.
Unfortunately, spyware and its associated brethren are here to stay. The best
defense is to employ protection that will guard against unexpected software
additions and installs. Hijacking your browser may not seem as criminal as a
virus that eats files, but if you've ever experienced your browser being hijacked,
then you're aware with the frustration it causes.
About the Author:
Tom Jenson has worked in software development for 20 years. He's seen spyware
develop from an occasional problem, to a daily, hourly threat to all pc's. He
made it a mission to research these threats, and work out how best to combat
them. Now this series of article helps others protect their computers too. |
