'pure dark' Hijacker
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Ranking: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Ranking: | 13,395 |
| Threat Level: | 50 % (Medium) |
| Infected Computers: | 207 |
| First Seen: | February 7, 2019 |
| Last Seen: | August 22, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The 'pure dark' application falls into the category of browser hijacker PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs). It is capable of modifying the settings of users' Web browsers and forcing them to open a promoted address - ggfpa.com. Not surprisingly, users are extremely unlikely to choose to install such an application willingly. Indeed, PUPs are being spread through deceptive distribution techniques including 'bundling' and fake installers predominantly.
The exact behavior of the 'pure dark' hijacker could vary. The PUP may affect the browser's homepage, new tab page, and default search engine, or cause redirects only when users launch a search via the browser's URL bar. No matter what the exact case is, the delivered search results should not be trusted.
The ggfpa.com page initiates a redirect chain that moves through several websites and dubious search engines. Infosec researchers have confirmed that the page redirects to insrts3.com before arriving at websearches.club, a dubious engine that generates low-quality results. Users should keep in mind that the displayed results may also include numerous unrelated sponsored ads or links leading to shady and untrustworthy places.
It is common for PUPs also to collect various data in the background of the system silently. The intrusive applications may be spying on the user's browsing activities, obtaining numerous device details, or even trying to extract sensitive data that has been saved into the affected Web browser.
