Daily Jokes Browser Extension
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
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Ranking: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
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See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Ranking: | 9,638 |
| Threat Level: | 20 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 55 |
| First Seen: | January 20, 2023 |
| Last Seen: | August 30, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The Daily Jokes browser extension was discovered by a research team while inspecting rogue websites. The extension is promoted as a multi-functional software with features that include displaying daily jokes, wallpapers, clock, current weather, sticky notes, and to-do lists. However, further analysis conducted by the research team revealed that Daily Jokes is, in fact, a browser hijacker.
Despite being marketed as useful and harmless software, Daily Jokes operates by altering the settings of the user's web browser without their consent. It may modify the homepage, new tab, and default search engine to promote a specific search engine, which is often unreliable and may expose users to sponsored or malicious content. The browser hijacker could also be able to collect sensitive user data, such as browsing history, search queries, and personal information, which can be sold to third parties or exploited for malicious purposes.
The Daily Jokes Browser Extension Exhibits the Typical Traits of a Browser Hijacker
Browser hijackers are types of dubious software that can modify the settings of internet browsers without users' permission or knowledge. These modifications often include assigning promoted websites as homepages, default search engines, and new tab addresses. In most cases, these hijackers promote fake search engines that provide little to no actual search results and instead redirect users to genuine search engines.
The Daily Jokes browser hijacker will set the browser settings of the user to now open the legitimate Bing search engine (bing.com). When this extension is installed, new tabs that are opened and search queries typed into the URL bar are automatically redirected to Bing. However, cybercriminals may abuse Daily Jokes' affiliate program to acquire illegitimate commissions for endorsing certain content, which could lead to users being redirected elsewhere depending on various factors, such as user geolocation.
Moreover, browser hijackers often use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers. This means that even if users try to undo the changes made by the hijacker, the modifications may persist and continue to affect their browsing experience.
Additionally, Daily Jokes may be equipped with data-tracking abilities, which means it could be able to collect and share users' personal information with third parties, potentially including cybercriminals. This information could include browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses (geolocations), internet cookies, usernames and passwords, finance-related data, and other sensitive details. This is a serious privacy concern for users, as their personal information could be used for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
Browser Hijackers Often Try to Hide Their Installation from Usero
Users may not notice that a browser hijacker or a PUP has been installed on their devices due to various reasons. One reason is that these types of programs often use deceptive tactics to trick users into installing them, such as bundling with other software or masquerading as legitimate software updates. Apps of this type may not be immediately noticeable because they often operate in the background, changing browser settings or displaying unwanted ads without any obvious signs of infection.
Furthermore, users may not be familiar with the signs of a hijacked browser or PUP infection and may mistake them for normal browser behavior or pop-up ads. In some cases, users may also ignore warnings from their security software or security programs, assuming they are false positives or inconsequential.
Finally, some users may not be aware of the potential dangers of these types of programs and may not be actively looking for signs of infection or taking steps to protect their devices from malware. Overall, a lack of awareness and education about browser hijackers and PUPs can make it difficult for users to detect and remove them from their devices.
