Asktofriends.com

The Google Redirect Virus, a common component of the ZeroAccess rootkit and several other severe rootkit infections, is closely associated with hundreds of websites. Basically, this dangerous browser hijacker can be used to force a computer user to visit a particular website repeatedly. Asktofriends.com, which appears to be a search engine with very limited functions, has an unconventional design, with a colorful header image and a large picture of a man pointing up and holding a flower arrangement in one of his hands. Asktofriends.com is one of the many websites that appear as the payload of a Google Redirect Virus infection. Basically, Asktofriends.com is designed to display search results that are sponsored by the advertisers, rather than results that are actually relevant to the computer user's query. Most computer users that arrive at Asktofriends.com do so because of a PC threat on their machine. Criminals tend to use these kinds of scams to install other malware on the victim's computer while profiting from malicious advertising and shady marketing schemes.

How Criminals Use Soft Browser Redirects to Promote Asktofriends.com

The reason why browser hijackers associated with Asktofriends.com are so effective is because they use a tactic often known as a "soft" redirect. Criminals using malware to cause browser redirects can potentially take over the victim's web browser completely. If criminals wished to do so, they could use their browser hijacker to force the infected web browser to visit Asktofriends.com constantly and to block access to any other website. However, 'soft' redirects are getting better, longer lasting results. Instead of aggressively forcing the victim to visit Asktofriends.com constantly, the Google Redirect Virus changes the top search results of a Google search (it can also affect online searches on other popular search engines). The altered links take the victim to Asktofriends.com instead of directing them to the website corresponding to that link's search result. While most computer users may immediately notice a problem, inexperienced computer users are more likely not to notice that this is an abnormal occurrence. They will simply see another search engine in front of them, making them more likely to be exposed to Asktofriends.com's sponsored search results by trying their search again on Asktofriends.com. Browser redirects to Asktofriends.com, particularly after visiting a legitimate search engine, indicate a severe Trojan or rootkit infection on the victim's computer and should be followed with a thorough scan with a reliable anti-malware program.