Chromnius

Chromnius is a browser hijacker application that carries its own Web browser based on Google's open-source Chromium project. This customized version is called Chromnius and it describes itself as a Web browser that provides better security while browsing online by blocking pop-ups and tracker cookies. However, some users may not even realize that they are no longer using their normal Chrome browser. Not to mention that Chromnius uses its own startup page and search engine.

In the vast majority of cases, the Web addresses promoted via such dubious browser hijacker applications belong to fake search engines. Chromnuis is not an exception. Users' search queries will be redirected to Chromnius Search, but due to its inability to provide results on its own, further redirects will take place. Infosec researchers have observed the fake engine taking results from the legitimate Yahoo search engine. However, users should keep in mind that many dubious applications and search engines are capable of adjusting their behavior based on certain factors, such as IP addresses and geolocation.

While these PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) are active on the user's device, they also may perform various other intrusive actions. After all, PUPs are notorious for tracking users' browsing activities. Depending on their data-harvesting capabilities, these applications also may try to collect numerous device details or even sensitive information (banking details, payment data, credit/debit card numbers, etc.) extracted from browsers' autofill data.