Keysearchs.com

Keysearchs.com is a fake search engine that is being promoted via questionable means. More specifically, users will notice that their web browsers are suddenly opening this unfamiliar address due to a browser hijacker application managing to sneak its way onto their computers or devices. The name of this dubious application is Key word search.

It should be noted that the application also is classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) due to the deceptive methods involved in its distribution. Indeed, Key word search is not spread through the normal distribution channels. To avoid being noticed by the user, it may be injected inside the installation settings of a different legitimate application in a scheme known as 'bundling' or lay hidden inside fake software installers.

Once inside the device, the browser hijacker will force the user's Web browser to open the promoted Web address by setting it as their new homepage, new tab page and default search engine. Keysearchs.com is incapable of delivering any results on its own. Based on factors, such as the user's geolocation, Keysearchs.com can act in one of two ways. First, it may simply take the initiated search query and run it through Google. The other option involves the search query going through a redirect chain that passes through several dubious engines, such as my-search.com and trafficjunction.com before ultimately taking results from Bing.

Browser hijackers, fake search engines, and PUPs also are known for spying on the user's browsing activities. Various information such as IP address, geolocation, ISP, browser type, clicked URLs, conducted searches, and more could be exfiltrated to a remote server. The operators of the PUP can then exploit the acquired data in a myriad of ways, including selling it to interested third parties.