What is Browser Hijacking? How to protect yourself from it?

Noticed something funny going on with your browser? You might’ve fallen victim to a browser hijacking. Here’s what you need to know. Your browser is your window to the internet, which also makes it the first line of defense against cyberattacks. There are downsides to this, one being that all browsers are susceptible to hijacking.

But how exactly does browser hijacking take place, and what are the exact mechanisms behind it? How can you tell if your browser has been hijacked, and what can you do to protect yourself?

How Can Your Browser Be Hijacked?

Browser hijacking is a type of cyberattack in which the victim’s browser is modified without their consent. Like virtually all cybercrime, these attacks are carried out to make money for the perpetrator. In most cases, the attacker redirects the victim to their own website in order to generate ad revenue.

However, some browser hijackers install keyloggers or spyware to steal sensitive information, like banking credentials. Browser hijackers can spread in any number of ways. They often come bundled together with legitimate programs, so that the user unintentionally installs them.

Hijackers can be bundled with browser extensions and add-ons as well, especially download managers and similar tools. Plus, just like any other type of malware, hijackers can spread via shady websites, malicious email attachments, and phishing attacks.

Has Your Browser Been Hijacked? Here’s What You Need to Know

Clearly, browser hijackers are bad news, but they aren’t always easy to detect. So, how can you know for sure if your browser has been hijacked? Here are five red flags to watch out for.

1. Your Browser Is Sluggish

If your browser suddenly starts running slowly for no apparent reason, it might have been hijacked. That’s because some hijackers take up significant resources, and cause serious performance issues. So not only would such a hijacker slow down your browser, but it would also freeze and crash it.

2. Pop-Ups, Everywhere

If you’re seeing pop-ups everywhere, something is definitely wrong, and there’s a good chance a browser hijacker has infiltrated your system. It’s not just advertisements that are a surefire sign of infection, but also fake “You have a virus” warnings and similar annoying, spammy messages.

3. Your Homepage or Search Engine Has Changed

Has your homepage changed? What about your browser’s default search engine? If the answer to one or both of these questions is “yes,” your browser has most likely been hijacked. This is definitely the case if all of a sudden something called Trovi is the default search engine of your browser, while the homepage is a site you’ve never visited before.

4. Unfamiliar Toolbars and Extensions

This is another obvious red flag. If you don’t remember adding a toolbar, or if there is an extension you can’t recall installing, a threat actor has probably hijacked your browser.

5.  You’re Being Redirected

Browser hijackers are sometimes called browser redirects, so if you are being redirected to malicious websites constantly, you might be dealing with a browser hijacker. There’s a more dangerous form of this cyberattack, called Domain Name System (DNS) hijacking, so keep that in mind.

How to Protect Yourself From Browser Hijacking

1. Keep your browser and operating system up to date.
2. Review your browser settings from time to time, and take note of any suspicious activity.
3. Install anti-malware software.
4. Do not open links or attachments from unknown email addresses.
5. Only use extensions from official stores, pay attention to their ratings, and do basic research before installing one.
6. Don’t download software from unverified sources.
7. Pay attention when installing a new program so as to avoid unwanted software.
8. Take extra precautions when using public Wi-Fi.
9. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect your data in the event of a breach.

If you suspect your browser has been hijacked, there’s no need to panic. But it’s imperative that you take action immediately, so you prevent any further damage. The first thing you should do is identify the hijacker: manually examine your browser’s settings, and check if there are any unknown extensions or add-ons.

If the hijacker is proving difficult to remove, you’re going to need the help of an antivirus suite. In fact, you should install one and scan your computer for malicious programs even if you manage to remove the hijacker manually.