Threat Database Adware Search Dimension

Search Dimension

By GoldSparrow in Adware

Threat Scorecard

Ranking: 14,635
Threat Level: 80 % (High)
Infected Computers: 6,250
First Seen: March 28, 2017
Last Seen: August 24, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows

Computer users that use the Search Dimension services provided at Searchdimension.com might want to remove the Search Control browser extension associated with Searchdimension.com from their browser. The Search Control (a.k.a. Search Dimension) extension by Search Dimension Ltd. is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that is known to show many advertisements in the browser and lack security checks on the content displayed at Searchdimension.com. The Search Control program is promoted as a privacy-centric browser extension, which can protect your identity online and block search engines from tracking your activity. Search Dimension Ltd. uses the same marketing pitch employed by Privacy Switch and the Shield Plus Privacy Protector. However, their product is very similar to the ZenSearch add-on and fails to provide privacy as it is expected.

Computer users may install the Search Control (a.k.a. Search Dimension) extension with a free software package, which may make several changes to the Internet settings. The Search Control extension is available for Google Chrome and may change the default homepage, new tab page and search provider to Searchdimension.com. You should read the terms of service for Search Dimension that is available at Searchdimension.com/tos/ as a PDF document. Cyber security experts advise users to turn their attention to section 8, article A that offers the following text:

'We may make available significant amounts of third-party content, including links to other websites, articles, forums, ads and offers, and other multi-media content. ...you acknowledge and agree that neither we nor our affiliated companies are responsible for the practices or content of such external sites or resources, including without limitation any content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources.'

The ads provided by Search Control (a.k.a. Search Dimension) may include banners, floating ad boxes, pop-ups with audio/video commercials and promotional images. You should note that there are no security checks performed on the resources generated via Searchdimension.com as mentioned in section 8, Article F:

'We do not endorse any of the products or services linked to, from or through
the Search Dimension Services, nor have we taken any steps to confirm the accuracy or reliability of any of the information provided by third parties through us or through their own Web sites. We expressly disclaim any and all representations or warranties as to the security of any information (including, without limitation, credit card and other personal information) you might be requested to give any third party.'

Cyber security experts alert that the Search Control extension requires access to system parameters and specific data on the computer before it can produce targeted advertisements. An in-depth look at Search Control revealed that the app might record your IP address, browser version, keyboard layout, time zone, input on Google/Bing/Yahoo, pages that you browse, search history, cookies storage, and a list of the third-party software installed on your machine. These requirements are covered by Searchdimension.com/tos/ in a transparent manner, and you should make sure you know how the Search Dimension service work. Many users may not like the intrusive behavior of Search Control and their homepage being hijacked. You can purge all the files associated with Search Control (a.k.a. Search Dimension) by using a trusted anti-malware tool.

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