Zeta-search.com

What is Zeta-search.com?

Our malware analysts have tested Zeta-search.com, and revealed that it is a browser hijacker dedicated to replacing your web browser’s homepage. So you have to remove it because it does that without your consent. We have no doubt that it is part of a web monetization, so in some cases, it should show you additional third-party advertisements that come from unknown entities. Therefore, this hijacker can compromise your computer’s security. To find out more about this fake search engine we recommend that you read this whole article that will prove to you that it is a threat to your computer’s security and your privacy.

Where does Zeta-search.com come from?

Our researchers have found that this hijacker was created by a company known as Babylon Ltd, a company known for producing malicious browser extensions, but it seems that this company has shifted to making browser hijackers instead, perhaps it comes with an extension that was also created by Babylon. We have linked this particular browser hijacker with other hijackers that come from the same family. These hijackers are Bit-search.com, Royal-search.com, and Pico-search.com. These hijackers are almost identical, but it seems that they are hosted on different servers. In any case, it is clear that Zeta-search.com comes from a highly questionable developer.

Unfortunately, we do not know how it is currently being distributed because our malware analysts were unable to find a sample its dropper. So we do not know whether it comes with a browser extension or comes bundled with malicious installers. In most cases, when installing a browser extension, the wizard asks you whether you want to install the search engine and you can opt out. However, this is probably not the case with this browser extension as it is designed to enter your computer covertly. Also, if its developers have made arrangements to have it bundled with malicious software installers, then it should be injected into the browser without your consent while installing freeware. Again, we only think that it should be distributed in the ways mentioned above, so our assumptions may be incorrect. Now let us move on to more grounded information that will show you just how unreliable Zeta-search.com is to keep on your computer.

How does Zeta-search.com work?

Browser hijackers are always portrayed as unique quality search engines bound to improve your browsing experience. In the case of this browser hijacker, it is said that “Zeta Search aims to provide the ultimate online search experience. Our advanced technology provides you with the best of what the web has to offer, and makes it easier than ever to find exactly what you are searching for.” Evidently, this claim is false because this search engine does not improve the search experience at all. It redirects all search queries to Google.com but edits the search results to include links to promoted websites. Given that it comes from a malware developer that has released browser hijacker in the past that are known to promote unreliable content, we think that is particular web browser will do the same as well.

Furthermore, the privacy policy states that Zeta-search.com can collect non-personally identifiable information that includes IP addresses, browser user agent, referring page, date/time stamp and cookies and web beacons, among other information. It collects this information to tailor the advertisements to make them more appealing and make more money. So as you can see, this search engine has major problems that cannot be resolved because they are its driving force and purpose. So as you can see, this search engine has major problems that cannot be resolved because they are its driving force and purpose. Therefore, the obvious solution is to get rid of it, and we will tell you how you can do this without too much effort.

How to remove Zeta-search.com

Since this hijacker’s distribution methods are unknown, we cannot recommend you to uninstall a browser extension from the web browser’s extensions list. Instead, the guide will show you how to edit your browser’s files and modify the appropriate strings to remove Zeta-search.com’s address. Alternatively, you can use an antimalware tool that can deal with browser hijackers because many of them do not. We recommend SpyHunter because it has proven itself as a reliable weapon in the fight against malware.

Remove from the web browser

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Hold down Windows+R keys.
2. Type regedit in the box and click OK.
3. Go to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
4. Find Start Page and right-click it.
5. Click Modify.
6. Replace http://zeta-search.com with your desired homepage address.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Hold down Windows+E keys.
2. Go to %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{ID number}
3. Find and open prefs.js with Notepad.
4. Replace user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", " http://zeta-search.com"); with your desired homepage address.

Google Chrome

1. Hold down Windows+E keys.
2. Go to %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
3. Find and Delete Preferences, Secure Preferences and Web Data files

Delete this hijacker’s files

1. Hold down Windows+E keys.
2. Go to the following locations and delete all files.

• %APPDATA%\zeta-search.com
• %PROGRAMFILES%\zeta-search.com
• %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\zeta-search.com

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