HotSearch.com

HotSearch.com Image

HotSearch.com is a search engine that is linked to browser hijackers. When computer users use HotSearch.com to carry out their online searches, HotSearch.com will display sponsored search results that are rarely related to the search terms entered by the computer user. Typically, HotSearch.com is associated with a Web browser toolbar by the same name. Most computer users have complained that this Web browser extension makes unauthorized changes to their computer's settings; usually, the most obvious of these changes is altering the infected Web browser's homepage to HotSearch.com. Apart from this, other symptoms, such as redirects and pop-up windows can make using the infected Web browser difficult. If you are experiencing symptoms related to HotSearch.com, it is important to remove this browser hijacker from your computer immediately. After using a reliable anti-malware program to scan your computer, it may be necessary to revert the affected Web browser's settings to normal manually.

While the HotSearch.com website itself will not attack your computer directly, HotSearch.com is connected to malware and malicious content in a variety of ways, including the following:

1. Criminals and shady marketers use malware to force computer users to visit HotSearch.com repeatedly. These malware infections, known as browser hijackers, take over the infected Web browser in order to force the computer user to visit HotSearch.com after clicking on an unrelated link, carrying out an online search, launching the infected Web browser, opening a new tab or a variety of other actions.
2. HotSearch.com is also related to malicious content in that its sponsored search results will frequently lead computer users to websites selling fake security software or promoting known pyramid schemes or phishing scams.
3. The Web browser extension associated with HotSearch.com typically includes a component that allows HotSearch.com to track your online activity. Your online history and other information gathered by this Web browser extension can then be sold to marketers or used to deliver advertisements to your computer.
4. It is quite common for browser hijackers to be bundled with other malware. Generally, if your computer is displaying symptoms of a browser hijacker infection, it is highly likely that other adware, Trojan or even rootkit infections are also present in your computer.