Rich Search

The Rich Search browser extension offers to provide users with useful information, such as the local weather and conveniently placed links to popular websites. However, what some users may not realize is that the application also will modify certain browser settings, a behavior often associated with browser hijackers. In this case, the browser's current homepage and new tab page will be changed to now open the Rich Search.

In general, browser hijackers are intrusive applications that are often used by unscrupulous people as a way to generate artificial traffic toward a promoted Web address. Typically, users will be redirected to a fake search engine whenever they open the affected browsers, start a new blank tab or attempt to search the Internet via the browser's URL tab. Fake engines lack the necessary functionality to generate results on their own and instead will further redirect the user's search query to additional sources, which may include dubious search engines.

Furthermore, browser hijackers, adware, and PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) may try to continuously monitor the browsing activities carried out on the system. Users risk having their browsing history, search history, clicked URLs, IP address, geolocation, and many other details, harvested, packaged, and transmitted to a server controlled by the operators of the specific PUP.