It is obvious that ransomware is one of the most common computer virus types today. Cerber, Spora and Locky viruses already managed to prove victims that ransomware attack is no joke. However, ransomware is not the only computer program that can pose a threat to your computer system and your privacy. Our team points out that in 2017, developers of shady browser hijackers noticeably intensified production and distribution of potentially unwanted programs that are meant to take control of user’s web browser and push sponsored content via it. Most of the time, such questionable companies set up dozens of identically looking websites that provide web search function and create programs that change user’s browsers’ settings to make them launch a particular search engine automatically. What annoys us so much is the fact that these browser-hijacking programs are distributed in a legitimate way, which we consider to be quite unfair. These programs usually accompany various free programs, which do not adequately inform the user about their existence during the installation process.
So far the most common and bothersome browser hijackers seem to be Motious.com, Launchpage.org virus, and Qtipr.com virus. The last one is especially intrusive and deceptive one, and unlike the others, it doesn’t even promote a search engine. This browser hijacker is very hard to remove because instead of installing programs or browser extensions, it adds a VBS Script into Windows Management Instrumentations, which makes web browsers launch Qtipr.com site automatically. Speaking about Launchpage.org redirect virus, we must say that it tries to promote a fake copy of Google search engine, which can easily trick inattentive victims into using it. Finally, Motious.com hijack brings an unpleasant search tool that always fills search results with paid links. Clicking on any links provided on sites promoted by these browser hijackers can be dangerous. Although it is possible to remove such browser hijackers manually, our team recommends using anti-malware programs as they can delete the infection in a faster and safer way. The Esolutions team would like to remind you to stay clear of suspicious content online, install computer programs carefully and using Custom/Advanced settings only, and protect your computer with an anti-spyware or anti-malware program even if you have an antivirus. Such software helps to detect all kinds of spyware and malware whereas antivirus might only be good at detecting severe viruses.