AdvancedNetworkSearch

AdvancedNetworkSearch is an adware application designed to deliver intrusive advertisements on any computer it is installed on. An important distinction is that applications such as this do not get installed by users willingly. In nearly all of the cases, they get propagated through deceitful distribution tactics. One such method that AdvancedNetworkSearch has been observed as using is to hide inside fake Adobe Flash Player installers. As a result, the application can also be classified as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP).

One inside the user's computer, AdvancedNetworkSearch will begin serving unwanted advertisements in the form of banners, pop-up windows, hyperlinks, etc. The advertisements will be injected into the websites visited by the user, giving them a pretense of legitimacy. Clicking on any of them could have serious privacy issues, however, as they could redirect to dubious third-party sites. Users may be taken to offers for barely working PUPs or fake software updates.

While the delivery of advertisements is AdvancedNetworkSearch's main agenda, the application has also been equipped with browser hijacker capabilities. It can take over certain browser settings - in most cases, the homepage, new page tab, and the default search engines are affected, and set them to open the address of a promoted fake search engine. Any time that the browser is opened or a search is conducted, it will drive artificial traffic towards the address of the fake engine.

The issues arising from having AdvancedNetworkSearch installed on your computer shouldn't be ignored or underestimated. It is recommended to remove the application as soon as possible, preferably using a reputable anti-malware solution.