My Symptom Checker
The My Symptom Checker application from www[.]MySymptomChecker[.]net is promoted as a valuable tool that provides access to a free online symptom checker, a trusted research and medical info. The features advertised via www[.]MySymptomChecker[.]net and the Chrome Web Store page — Chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/my-symptom-checker/fegjolpoojekijgbcdabiebijjhompil — are made available through an offline new tab page. The software at hand is designed to modify your new tab settings in Google Chrome to place links to Doctor.webmd.com, Mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/select-symptom, and social media on your new tab. Installing the My Symptom Checker browser extensions requires you to agree that it can:
- Read and change all your data on the spiralstab.com.
- Replace the page you see when opening a new tab.
- Communicate with cooperating sites.
The new tab implemented by My Symptom Checker adds links to resources on Webmd.com and Mayoclinic.org, but you should seek consultation with a certified doctor. Additionally, the My Symptom Checker extension is deemed as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP). The app is observed to cause browser redirects to a customized version of Yahoo:
hxxps://search.yahoo[.]com/yhs/search?hspart=domaindev&hsimp=yhs-domaindev_extensions&p=[search terms]&type=__alt__ddc_mysymptomchecker_net
The data collected by the My Symptom Checker extension might be shared with pharmaceutical companies, marketers and third parties that are not listed on www[.]MySymptomChecker[.]net. The EULA document and the Privacy Policy on hxxp://www.mysymptomchecker[.]net/privacy.htm and hxxp://www.mysymptomchecker[.]net/terms.htm do not appear to disclose information on who has access to data like your Internet history and search terms entered on the My Symptom Checker New Tab. The company name Castle Rock Capital, Inc. shown at www[.]MySymptomChecker[.]net does not appear to be registered as a services provider properly and the address 16192 Coastal Highway Lewes Delaware 19958 USA refers to a company called Harvard Business Services, Inc. The questionable origin and functionality of the My Symptom Checker extension may be enough for users to reconsider using the product.
