What is InfoSearchBox.com?
InfoSearchBox.com is nothing more than a browser hijacker that seems to be getting popular in the US. The growth in its popularity is not accidental as it is distributed using highly deceptive methods and you should remove it, provided that it has been set as your web browser’s homepage. Not only does it infect your computer, but could also subject you to commercial advertisements, if it worked that is, because at the time of the research its search did not work. However, if it worked, then your computer’s security could become jeopardized.
Where does InfoSearchBox.com come from?
Unfortunately, there is no information about this hijacker’s developers because it does not feature an End User License Agreement, Privacy Policy or any other kind of legal document that could provide some background information about this hijacker. The lack of this information only serves to enforce the conclusion that it is an illegitimate search engine.
As far as InfoSearchBox.com’s distribution channels are concerned, we have concluded that it does not come with a browser extension or have a dedicated distribution method for that matter. However, our researchers have discovered that it comes bundled with malicious software installers. Therefore, we are positive that this hijacker comes bundled with installers that feature one or more applications that are installed together, but InfoSearchBox.com is set to be installed automatically, without the user’s consent. Researchers say that it might come in InstalIQ bundles and bundled with software such as Resultsbay and PC Optimizer Pro which are unreliable applications. It seems that this program is getting popular, especially in the US which is alarming because that can lead to serious cyber security problems for many people.
What does InfoSearchBox.com do?
At first glance, InfoSearchBox.com is just another low-grade search engine trying to get a piece of the action from giants such as Google and Bing. However, we have already established its credentials as a browser hijacker, but here is the twist. This hijacker does not work, so you cannot use it to process the search queries you have entered. Nevertheless, if InfoSearchBox.com was fully functional, and you could use it to search the web, then you might be subjected to shady promotional links that could be featured among the search results. Now, there is nothing wrong with promotions as long as they are declared as such, but we are concerned with the fact such links can redirect you to infected websites that can get your computer infected with malware or scam you out of your money.
Furthermore, malware researchers say that this hijacker may also engage in information collection that can jeopardize your personal privacy. All search engines, including browser hijacker’s, can obtain your IP address and, by extension, your approximate geographical location. It can also store and save your entered search queries, browsing history, and so on, and use this information to customize the advertising campaign and assign you promotional links that are more inline with your browsing habits. Therefore, you ought to deny InfoSearchBox.com’s owners the means to collect information about you, so we suggest that you get rid of this fake search engine.
How do I remove InfoSearchBox.com?
From the information presented in this short description, it is reasonable to think that InfoSearchBox.com is a malicious search engine that is out to replace your homepage address and subject you to shady links of unverified legitimacy. Therefore, you ought to remove it from your browser as soon as possible. If you do not know how to change your browser’s homepage, we kindly invite you to refer to the removal guide below.
Change your browser’s homepage
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Press Windows+R keys.
- Type regedit in the box and click OK.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Find the Start Page registry string.
- Right-click it and click Modify.
- Enter a new homepage address.
Google Chrome
- Press Windows+E keys.
- Enter C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default in the address line and hit Enter.
- Find and delete Preferences, Secure Preferences and Web Data files.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Windows+E keys.
- Type C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles in the address box and hit Enter.
- Enter the {Unique Mozilla ID} folder
- Find prefs.js and open it with Notepad.
- Find and replace http://infosearchbox.com in the user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", " http://infosearchbox.com"); string.
- Exit and Save.
tested removal of InfoSearchBox.com*
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