Proto-search.com

Proto-search.com is a questionable search engine that is being promoted through the use of browser hijacker applications. While such dubious search engines are available and can be used willingly, they do not rely on users to do so. Instead, the browser hijacker applications sneak themselves onto the users' computers and then establish control over the installed Web browser. These applications also are classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) due to the deceptive method they use to avoid attracting attention.

Users affected by Proto-search.com will notice that their usual homepage, new page tab, and default search engine have all been modified to open the address of the search engine. By exploiting so-called 'helper objects,' the PUP will prevent any further changes to the selected settings. 

Hoax search engines are seldomly capable of producing search results on their own and even if they are, the list of results will most likely be littered with sponsored ads and links not meeting the search criteria. However, far more common is the case where the fake engine lacks the ability to generate any results. The search queries initiated through the main page of the engine or the affected browser's address field will, instead, be redirected to a legitimate engine such as Yahoo, Bing, or Chrome. 

While the impact of having a browser hijacker installed on your device leads more to annoyance and frustration than anything else, users should still be cautious. After all, it is extremely common for fake engines and PUPs to possesses at least some degree of data-harvesting capabilities. Users risk having their browsing activities monitored, packaged and then transmitted to a remote server.