Search.searchwfaa.com

Posted by Max Lehmann on December 28, 2016

What is Search.searchwfaa.com?

According to our malware analysts, Search.searchwfaa.com is a newly released browser hijacker that is distributed through malicious software installers. The installers were configured to inject this hijacker into your browser secretly and you should remove it because of that. It is set to replace the browser’s homepage address and compel you to use it as a regular search engine. We recommend that you replace it because its search results are bound to feature links to questionable websites and it can gather anonymous information about you automatically to personalize the advertising campaign. In short, this fake search engine has nothing of value to offer. test

Where does Search.searchwfaa.com come from?

Search.searchwfaa.com originates from an unreliable shady developer that does not even have a name. Its Privacy Policy states that it was developed by Polarity Technologies LTD, but our researchers did not find any additional information about this company to confirm its legitimacy. Therefore, they have concluded that it is a non-existent company that serves as a façade to make it look legitimate. Our security experts have compared it with several other browser hijackers and concluded that it is nearly identical to Search.yourmapscenter.com, Search.youremailnow.com, Search.yourclassifieds, and several others.

As far as its distribution channels are concerned, researchers have found that Search.searchwfaa.com is distributed using malicious software bundles. These bundles include more than a few applications, and some of them can be hidden and installed secretly. Research has revealed that this is likely the case with this hijacker as it is installed secretly and you cannot deselect it when you configure the installation wizard of the bundle. You can encounter such malicious bundles on questionable freeware distributing websites, particularly those that make money from bundling freeware with third-party programs.

What does Search.searchwfaa.com do?

Our malware analysts have concluded that this browser hijacker does not have an accompanying browser extension, so it relies on the bundled installer to inject it into your browser. As mentioned, the hijacking takes place in a clandestine manner, and you will notice that Search.searchwfaa.com has replaced your original homepage the next time you launch your browser.

Search.searchwfaa.com looks like an ordinary search engine and can be used as one but only because it redirects all search queries to a custom Yahoo search engine. So you are essentially forced to use Yahoo, but the problem is that its search results can contain links to malicious websites that can compromise your computer’s security. These links are included in the regular search results and may deceive you into clicking it.

It must be said that this hijacker was configured to collect some anonymous information about you. According to its Privacy Policy, it can automatically obtain information that includes the type of browser you are using, operating system type, Internet protocol (IP) address, geographic location, service provider (ISP), URLs and websites visited, search queries entered, diagnostic information, and so on. This hijacker uses browser cookies, Internet beacons, and other technologies to obtain it and its developers use this information to customize and personalize the advertising campaign to maximize profits.

How do I remove Search.searchwfaa.com?

Even though Search.searchwfaa.com is a browser hijacker, getting rid of it is rather easy. All you have to go to your web browser’s settings menu and replace the homepage address with your preferred address. You can use the removal guide below to do that. As you can see, this fake search engine is highly unreliable and can subject your computer to all kinds of malicious content, and it will collect information about you to personalize and customize it all in the name of making more money.