Pulpysearch

Pulpysearch is an intrusive browser extension that cybersecurity researchers have classified as a browser hijacker. As such, the application is capable of taking over certain important browser settings and modifying them to fit its own goals. In most cases, browser hijacker applications are used as vehicles for the generation of artificial traffic toward a sponsored page. Pulpysearch is not an exception as the application has been confirmed to cause unwanted redirects to the pulpysearch.com address.

Typically, these annoying applications establish control over the browser's homepage, new tab page and default search engine. By doing so, they ensure that the sponsored page will be opened every time users launch the browser, start a new tab or initiate a search via the URL bar. While the browser hijacker is present on the system, it may prevent any further changes to these settings. Furthermore, the promoted addresses are rarely legitimate. In most cases, they belong to fake search engines that are incapable of producing results on their own. Users' searches will instead be redirected to other search engines, which may include dubious ones that deliver low-quality results or ones filled with unrelated advertisements.

Browser hijackers, adware, or other PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) also are notorious for spying on users' browsing activities. The intrusive applications could access the browsing and search histories, extract device details, such as the IP address, browser type, device, type, geolocation, and even attempt to harvest information from the browser's autofill data (account credentials, passwords, banking details and more).