BrowserDisplay

BrowserDisplay is another dubious application that is being spread via deceptive distribution techniques. This PUP's (Potentially Unwanted Program) primary targets are Mac users. Once present on the Mac device, BrowserDisplay will try to generate monetary gains for its operators by delivering unwanted advertisements, promoting a sponsored addresses by hijacking the user's Web browser, and potentially spying on the browsing activities conducted on the device.

While BrowserDisplay is not considered to be a real threat, all of its core functionalities can lead users to questionable or unsafe places. The intrusive advertisement campaign can produce ads that show clickbait messages designed to grab the attention of the user. Clicking on them might trigger a forced redirect toward a phishing page, a scam website, a portal promoting various PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs), etc.

The browser hijacker will establish control over specific browser settings, usually the homepage, new tab page, and the default search engine. The goal is to promote and drive artificial traffic towards the sponsored address, which in nearly all cases is that of a fake search engine. Conducting searches via such unreliable engines means risking having numerous ads injected into the displayed list of results.

Finally, PUPs are known for spying on users' browsing activities. Information including all visited sites, clicked URLs, searches, and more could be transmitted to a remote server. The operators of the app can then try to monetize the gathered data according to their goals, which could involve offering it for sale to cybercriminal organizations.