Private-search.xyz

The Private-search.xyz address belongs to an unproven and possibly dubious search engine. As such, users would be extremely unlikely to use its services willingly. And in a typical for this type of search engines fashion, Private-search.xyz also decided to instead spread itself via a browser hijacker app.

Browser hijackers and other PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) rely on deceptive marketing tactics to hide their installation from the user. Two of the most commonly encountered are bundling and fake installers/updates for widely used software products. 

Once inside the computer of the victim, the browser hijacker will take control over the installed Web browser. All of the popular browsers could be affected - Chrome, Mozilla, Edge, Safari, Opera, etc. What the browser hijacker does is alter certain settings (homepage, new tab page and default search engine) to generate artificial traffic and promote a sponsored address. In this case, the Private-search.xyz search engine. 

PUPs, browser hijackers, and dubious search engines also are known for possessing another intrusive trait - they can track the browsing activities of the users. Information such as the entire browsing history, all conducted searchers, all clicked links as well as IP addresses, geolocation, and ISP could be transmitted to a remote server continuously. The operators of the application or the shady search engine could then exploit the acquired data in a multitude of ways, including selling it to interested third parties.