Koda Koala

The Koda Koala software from kodakoala[.]com is published on the Chrome Web Store as a search enhancer. The Koda Koala program is packed as a browser extension that is available to Google Chrome users for free. You may want to know that the Koda Koala is designed to change your default search engine to search[.]kodakoala[.]co and cause redirects to a customized Yahoo search service found at:

h[tt]ps://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=domaindev&hsimp=yhs-domaindev_arcadegallery&p=[search terms]&type=hx-bcr-C9YTP__alt__ddc_arcadegalley_com

The Koda Koala Chrome Extension is programmed to redirect all searches in the Omnibox to search[.]kodakoala[.]com, which records your search terms and loads results from the custom Yahoo engine. The Koda Koala extension may be promoted on pages that request the users to install software from partners. For example, if you are trying to load a movie that is not supposed to be available for free, some sites may offer access to a pirated version of the movie after you install a small browser extension. The Koda Koala extension is deemed as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that is known to feature two product pages on the Chrome Web Store:

Chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/koda-koala/impagcggadbnnkplikomffhbmghhpblp
Chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/koda-koala/iaklmmeoebbjcpmmeekggcomelhmlono

The Koda Koala browser extension has a Privacy Policy and Terms of Service documentation on kodakoala[.]com/Terms and kodakoala[.]com/Privacy, but these are generic texts and do not mention the developer’s name, contact details and publisher information. The Koda Koala extension may cause browser redirects to untrusted pages and misleading messages. The Koda Koala extension is known to request the following rights in Chrome:

• Read and change all your data on the websites you visit.
• Change your search settings to search.kodakoala.com.
• Replace the page you see when opening a new tab.
• Manage your apps, extensions and themes.
• Read and change your browsing history.
• Communicate with cooperating sites.

PC users that may experience redirects via search[.]kodakoala[.]com and notice ads by the Koda Koala on pages may wish to run a complete scan of their systems using reputable anti-spyware software. Extensions like the Koda Koala may be used to deliver targeted advertisements to users, load tracking Web beacons and send statistics about your online activity to third parties without your consent. It is recommended to stay vigilant and refrain from installing extensions that may cause unwanted redirects.