Search Swapper

Posted by Max Lehmann on June 14, 2016

What is Search Swapper?

At first sight, Search Swapper looks like a helpful tool, but Anti-Spyware-101.com malware analysts warn that this supposedly helpful app is another potentially unwanted program that needs to be handled with serious caution. We have tested this PUP in our internal lab, and we found that this supposedly beneficial tool is also employed for the collection of data and the injection of third-party advertisements. You might know already that this kind of activity is risky, in which case, you might want to delete Search Swapper right away. The guide at the bottom of this guide will help you eliminate this potentially unwanted program from your operating system without further delay. Of course, we recommend reading the report first to learn why exactly this PUP deserves elimination. If you skip the information we have gathered, you might keep installing unreliable programs again and again, and this could lead to big security problems. test test

How does Search Swapper work?

Search Swapper is promoted via searchswapper.com, as well as the Chrome web store. Notably, the app on the Chrome web store does not have any reviews, and it counts three active users, which, of course, is extremely low. Unfortunately, different infiltration methods exist, and it is possible that more Google Chrome users will acquire it via third-party installers. Do you know why it is risky to trust unfamiliar installers? It is because they could bundle the PUP along with malicious Trojans, intrusive tracking cookies, adware, and other kinds of undesirable software. As a matter of fact, malware could be installed silently, which is why we advise examining your operating system every time you use an unfamiliar installer or you detect an uninvited infection. Use a trusted malware scanner, and all unreliable programs will come to the surface. If you detect serious threats, remove them first. Otherwise, you can start by eliminating the suspicious Search Swapper. Although this tool allows you to switch between Google, Yahoo, and Bing search engines with a click of a button, it is not considered trustworthy.

The suspicious Search Swapper can be installed onto your Google Chrome browser regardless of which operating system you use (Mac, PC, or Linux). When installing this program, you should be informed that it will take over your search engine and new tab tools. If you are not informed about this, you might think that a browser hijacker has corrupted your Chrome browser. This app needs to take over your new tab to represent a search tool that is meant to redirect your search queries to Google, Yahoo, or Bing. Although it works as expected, what users do not realize is that the results shown to them can be modified. As the Privacy Policy representing Search Swapper reveals, advertisements could be shown, and they are likely to be shown via the search tool. Furthermore, our researchers warn that the keywords you enter into the box are likely to be recorded, and the worst part is that your browsing history could be shared with unknown parties. While we cannot confirm or deny that these parties have malicious intentions, you should be careful about the software capable of sharing information about you to unknown parties.

How to delete Search Swapper

Although it might seem as if Search Swapper allows browsing the web in a more convenient manner, our malware researchers warn that it can modify search results, inject ads (sponsored links), and share information about you with undisclosed third parties. Due to these reasons, we advise removing Search Swapper from your browsers. If other threats were infiltrated along with this potentially unwanted program, it is best to utilize automated malware removal software that can clean your operating system from all threats simultaneously. Those interested in deleting unwanted software manually should start by scanning their computers to see if critical threats are active. If they are not, the removal guide below is a good start. Of course, you need to make sure that every single piece of malicious software is erased to succeed.