Search-Zone Browser Extension
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: | 4,657 |
| Threat Level: | 50 % (Medium) |
| Infected Computers: | 712 |
| First Seen: | November 16, 2022 |
| Last Seen: | September 25, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
Search-Zone is a browser extension that has been observed to be distributed through questionable methods. More specifically, infosec researchers caught the application being promoted by deceptive and untrustworthy websites. Once installed by users, Seach-Zone exhibits the typical behavior associated with browser hijackers. Indeed, users will notice that their Web browsers are experiencing frequent redirects to an unfamiliar Web address - searchzone.xyz.
Browser hijackers are usually utilized as intrusive applications designed to promote a specific, sponsored Web address, as well as generate artificial traffic toward it. They achieve this goal by assuming control over the browser's homepage, new tab page, and default search engine settings. In most cases, all three will be set to now open the promoted page. Searchzone.xyz is a fake search engine that is not capable of producing search results on its own. Users' search queries will be hijacked and redirected to a different source. In this case, Searchzone.xyz takes results from Google, but users should keep in mind that some fake engines can change the target of their redirects, based on specific factors.
Browser hijackers and applications classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) often have data-tracking capabilities. If users have such an application installed on their devices, they risk having their browsing activities, device details, and other sensitive information accessed, packaged and transmitted to a remote server. The operators of the specific PUP can then exploit the obtained data in a variety of ways.
