The collected data is monetized through sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Targeted information may consist of: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. What is more, PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) usually have data tracking abilities, and this likely applies to ClearBrowser. It is "sticky" - meaning that this toolbar cannot be minimized/closed and is continuously displayed at the top of the computer screen regardless of what windows/programs are opened.
We observed redirecting to Yahoo ().įurthermore, ClearBrowser was installed alongside the ClearBar toolbar. These websites are usually incapable of providing search results, so they land on genuine search engines. When we inspected ClearBrowser, these actions led to redirects to the fraudulent search engine. Hence, whenever a new browser tab/window is opened or a search query is typed into the URL bar - it results in a redirect to the promoted search engine.
BROWSER ADWARE CLEANER SOFTWARE
Software within this classification modifies browser settings, i.e., assigns fake search engine addresses as browsers' default and their homepage and new tab/window URLs. In addition to adware functionalities, ClearBrowser has browser hijacker traits. Note that any legitimate products encountered via these advertisements are most likely promoted by scammers abusing their affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions. Some intrusive adverts can even stealthily download/install software upon being clicked. These advertisements promote untrustworthy/harmful sites and software, online scams, and malware. In other words, this software displays ads on various interfaces and visited webpages. Additionally, since most download/install ClearBrowser inadvertently, it is also classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).Īdware is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns. This browser also has a Toolbar called ClearBar. We also learned that ClearBrowser has adware and browser hijacker functionalities. After installing this piece of software on our test machine, we learned that it is a rogue browser based on the Chromium open-source project. Our research team discovered ClearBrowser while inspecting dubious software-promoting websites.
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