Htrendsfinder.net

Htrendsfinder.net is a fake search engine that is being promoted via a browser hijacker application.  Affected users will notice that their Web browsers are behaving abnormally, and opening the unfamiliar address htrendsfinder.net whenever the browser is opened, a new tab is started, or if a search query is typed in the URL bar. The explanation is quite simple - the browser hijacker has modified the homepage, new tab page, and the default search engine settings and set them to open the sponsored address.

Browser hijacker applications are considered to be PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs), due to the deceptive distribution tactics they employ. The goal is to get installed on the users' devices without attracting any attention. As for the Trend Finder browser hijacker, it has been observed to be delivered alongside another PUP named Hide My History. 

The promoted search engine is classified as fake because it cannot produce any search results on its own. Instead, it simply takes the user's searches and redirects them to the legitimate search.yahoo.com engine. In short, the htrendsfinder.net search engine is useless and doesn't provide any meaningful benefits. 

In fact, the opposite might be true. Most PUPs and dubious search engines spy on the user's browsing activities. All data may be tracked, stored in a signal file and then exfiltrated to a remote server. Users risk having their browsing history, all searches, IP address, geolocation, and more, being accessed by the operators of the application.