MoonlySearch

Posted by Sarah Stewart on October 19, 2016

What is MoonlySearch?

MoonlySearch is one of those browser hijackers that users do not recognize as potential security threats at first. They may look like random intruders that entered your computer accidentally, but in the long run, these applications could cause serious security issues. Therefore, to protect your computer from any potential threats, you will do yourself a favor by removing MoonlySearch immediately. However, resetting your browser settings may not be enough to terminate all the files and settings associated with the program. Please make sure you run a full system scan with a security tool that would determine the actual status of your system. test

Where does MoonlySearch come from?

This browser hijacker is not too popular, so it is not clear who developed it and how it spreads. We can only assume that it comes bundled with freeware, so the chances are you have installed this infection your system willingly (albeit unwittingly).

Software bundling is a very common freeware and adware distribution method, applied by various software developers. It means that more than one program is included in one installer file. Also, it is very often that users do not understand just how many programs they are installing. They think they only install this one program they have been looking for, but they fail to read all the steps on the installation wizard because they want to be done with it ASAP. As a result, they miss their chance to avoid installing MoonlySearch and other similar intruders.

Consequently, it also means that this browser hijacker is just one of the many security threats present. Once again, this where you should scan your PC with a security application to locate all the potential threats at once. It might seem like not much of a big deal, but such unwanted applications can easily lead to severe security problems.

What does MoonlySearch do?

Just like most of the browser hijackers out there, MoonlySearch modifies your default browser settings by changing your homepage and default search engine. The browsers affected by this hijacker include Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Firefox. The program will change your homepage to mooonly.com, and sometimes to quick-searcher-sngs.com, too. With that, it is clear that the hijacker will employ tracking cookies to monitor your online activity.

Some users may think that this search “engine” is the real deal, but after a thorough research, we have found that it does not have the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy documents. What’s more, it also displays modified search results. Modified search results refer you to custom commercial links that have been picked after generating your web history data. As mentioned, the hijacker tracks your online activities, so it can easily find out your likes and preferences. Once that happens, you can be sure to see a lot of commercial advertisements and other pop-ups that will try to convince you to open one page or the other.

By clicking the given links, you help this browser hijacker make money. MoonlySearch does that via the pay-per-click system. There this nothing illegal about the system itself, but you should keep in mind the fact the hijacker does not check the third-party content. In other words, it does not care what kinds of links get embedded into their advertising spaces. In the worst-case scenario, those could also be malicious links that lead to malware-related websites, and you could end up with a dangerous infection on your computer.

How do I remove MoonlySearch?

The bottom line is that you should remove MoonlySearch right now before the browser hijacker exposes you to something nasty. You can do that by restoring your browser settings to default. However, you should also check for other unwanted applications, and this is where a computer security tool of your choice should come handy.

What’s more, it is not just about this infection right now. You may also encounter more dangerous applications in the future, so you have to protect your computer from those threats by keeping your antispyware tool updated. Finally, be sure to stay away from unfamiliar websites that could be part of the freeware and adware distribution networks. Your own web browsing habits are just as important as the program that safeguards your PC.