ABCIPI - Hacking Blog


Unwanted browser toolbars

This is a very common red-flag sign. The browser you use will suddenly show a lot of new toolbars that are named in away that suggests they are there to help. Unless you recognise where these toolbars come from, i.e. a well-known vendor then the safest thing is to dump them right away.

What can you do?

Most browsers will allow you to go and see active and installed toolbars. Then it is a matter removing any that you didn’t install or don’t want. We always say if there’s any doubt - just remove it. If the browser you’re looking for is listed then the best thing to do will be to reset your browser back to a default setting. If that doesn’t do the trick follow the instructions we gave to deal with a fake antivirus message. Malicious toolbars can best be avoided by making sure that all software you operate is patched fully and also being vigilant for any free software that will install this type of toolbar. We recommend that you read the licensing agreement as this will often be mentioned in these agreements that most of us won’t read!

Internet searches are being redirected

A lot of hackers will do their business by taking control of and redirecting your browser. The way this works is that the hacker gets paid by getting your clinics on someone else’s website, although the owners of the website often will not realise that the clicks they’re getting actually come from malicious intervention. The way you can test that you are dealing with this type of malware is to type in a few related and common words, for example, kitten or sofa and see what the results of that click bring up. If it is a website that has no relevance to the search word you typed in then there is a good chance you have been hacked. It is not always easy to spot a redirected Internet search however because many may be hidden from the user with additional proxy being used so that the bogus results never return, and therefore do not alert the user. Focus toolbar activity goes hand-in-hand, generally, with redirection.

What to do about it:

What we would suggest is that you follow the same instruction we gave in respect to removing bogus programs and toolbars because this will normally be enough to rid you of any malicious redirection.

If you fear that your computer may have been hacked contact us now for a free initial chat on: wilsonslondon@outlook.com