Search.rapidserach.com

Posted by Max Lehmann on January 20, 2017

What is Search.rapidserach.com?

If your browser’s homepage was changed to Search.rapidserach.com, then we want to inform you that your computer was infected by a browser hijacker. You should consider removing it from your PC as soon as possible because, apart from replacing the homepage, this hijacker will show commercial advertisements in the search results and collect some information about you to customize and personalize them. Unfortunately, its ads come from unknown sources and can compromise your computer’s security. Indeed, this hijacker is a potential security risk and if you want t find out more about it, please read this short description. test

Where does Search.rapidserach.com come from?

Officially, Search.rapidserach.com was published by a company called Stepitapp Ltd. Our malware researchers have concluded that this company is based in Bayonne, New Jersey in the United States. They found that this company is a primary distributor of unwanted software. Therefore, there is no reason to think that this search engine is any good.

Unfortunately, not much is known about how this browser hijacker is currently being distributed. Malware researchers say that Search.rapidserach.com is most likely disseminated through malicious software installers that ere configured to inject it into your computer secretly. They say that it might come with a browser extension or toolbar that replaces the homepage address without your authorization. Nevertheless, the bundled installers may also inject it directly while installing the bundled software. Whatever the case may be, it is obvious that Stepitapp distributes this hijacker in a dishonest manner and try to get it onto your browser secretly.

What does Search.rapidserach.com do?

Malware analysts say that this particular hijacker is compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. It should replace the homepage only, but, in the case of Google Chrome, it might also replace the new tab page. In any case, the aim of the game is to make you use Search.rapidserach.com as much as possible. However, this search engine does not have a search algorithm of its own, so it redirects the search queries you enter into it to Plusnetwork.com. Still, Search.rapidserach.com can alter the search results to include promoted links that come from unknown, unvetted sources. We fear that the promotions can be deceptive and trick you into visiting a fake website that might get your computer infected with spyware, ransomware, and so on.

We also want to note that this browser hijacker was configured to collect information about you and use it for personalizing and customizing the advertisement campaign. According to the privacy policy, this hijacker can collect information such as your “IP (internet protocol) address, the type of browser you used to visit our site (such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox), the time at which you visited our site and which pages you visited throughout our site.” As you can see, the information is anonymous and most websites collect it. However, personal information can also be collected. Again, according to the privacy policy, “We may collect personal information at various times when you use our website or plugin. The more information you volunteer (and the more accurate it is), the better we are able to customize your experience.” As you can see, both the hijacker and its accompanying browser extension can collect personal information about you, but how you volunteer to provide it remains a mystery.

How do I remove Search.rapidserach.com?

In summary, Search.rapidserach.com is a malicious search engine that was classified as a browser hijacker due to its deceptive distribution method that involves tricking you into installing it without knowing of this hijacker’s presence in a given software bundle. Furthermore, it collects information and can show malicious links in its search results. So you might want to get rid of it, and if you do, then please follow the removal instructions provided below.