ExpandedNet

ExpandedNet is a piece of software that runs advertising campaigns by showing promotional content on users’ computers. In addition to that, ExpandedNet also exhibits browser hijacker qualities – it exchanges the Web browser's settings to push a specific fake search engine. This potentially harmful application spreads itself through fake Adobe Flash Player installers or “bundled” in some other software installation package.

Advertising content generated by ExpandedNet could open various online tactics, shady pages that ask their visitors to provide personal information or promote Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). Clicking on such advertisements could be fatal for the user’s online safety, as well, as result in some possibly threatening downloads or installations.

ExpandedNet sets a fake search engine as the browser’s default search engine, homepage and new tab URL. Dubious search engines do not conduct their own searches. Yet they still deliver some search results, though unreliable and filled with links to shady websites and sponsored content. Browser hijackers also typically collect information about users, which the owners of the applications then sell to other parties. ExpandedNet represents a severe risk to the user’s personal and financial data, and it should be removed from the device as soon as possible.