Active Land Browser Extension
The Active Land browser extension was discovered by a research team while inspecting dubious websites. The extension is marketed as an easy-access tool for sports-related content. However, upon analyzing Active Land, it was determined that it is a browser hijacker. The extension changes browser settings and promotes the best find.co fake search engine through redirects.
Browser Extensions Like Active Land Could Cause Privacy Issues
When a browser hijacker like Active Land is installed, it will typically change the browser's default settings, including the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page, to promote specific websites. In the case of Active Land, it promotes the find best.co fake search engine, which redirects users' search queries and new tabs to that site.
Fake search engines like find best.co typically do not generate their search results but instead redirect to legitimate search engines like Bing. However, the user geolocation may impact the redirection destination.
Additionally, browser hijackers often use persistence techniques to ensure that they remain installed on the user's device. Active Land is no exception and likely also employs such techniques.
Browser hijackers may also collect users' browsing activity, such as visited URLs, viewed pages, search queries, IP addresses, cookies, and personally identifiable information, including usernames, passwords, and financial data. This information can be shared with or sold to third parties, making the use of such software a significant privacy risk.
Users Should Pay Attention to the Shady Tactics Used in the Distribution of PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs)
PUPs and browser hijackers are often distributed through shady tactics, such as bundling them with legitimate software, disguising them as updates or essential system files, or using deceptive pop-up advertisements to trick users into installing them. Bundling is a common tactic in which the PUP or hijacker is included as part of the installation process of a legitimate program, often without the user's knowledge or consent.
Deceptive pop-up advertisements are another common tactic used to distribute PUPs and hijackers. These advertisements often claim that the users' system is infected with a virus or that their software is outdated and needs an update. When the PC users click on they are directed to a website that prompts them to download and install the PUP or hijacker.
In addition, PUPs and hijackers also can be distributed through unsafe email attachments, compromised websites, or peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. They also may be masked as legitimate system files or software, making it challenging for users to identify them as potentially harmful.
