ExecutiveOperation

ExecutiveOperation is a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that is being distributed through deceptive practices. The application has been detected to be masquerading as an Adobe Flash Player installer.

ExecutiveOperation combines the functionalities of an adware application, browser hijacker and data-collector. Once installed, in most cases unknowingly by the user, this application will proceed to change certain settings of the default browser such as the homepage, new page tab, and the default search engine. If the affected browser is Safari, ExecutiveOperation will set these settings to open the 'z6airr.com' address, while for the Chrome browser, the address is 'search.basicgeneration.com.' Both of them are fake search engines that are being promoted in an effort to get artificial traffic drawn to them.

Fake search engines lack the ability to perform searches independently and, instead, rely on other legitimate engines. The 'z6airr.com' engine takes the user's search query and redirects it through Yahoo. 'Search.basicgeneration.com,' on the other hand, accesses the user's geolocation and, based on it, redirects searches through either Google or Yahoo.

It is strongly advised to remove ExecutiveOperation from your computer as soon as possible due to the application's data-stealing capabilities. It can collect various information that includes credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers and additional personal details.