Sunny-days.co

Sunny-days.co is a fake search engine that was uncovered by information security researchers. Their investigation revealed that this deceptive address was being endorsed by a bothersome browser-hijacking application named Sunny Days. Marketed to users as a convenient tool for customizing browser wallpapers and accessing weather reports effortlessly, this extension alters various browser configurations upon installation to steer users toward sunny days.co webpage through redirects. Additionally, there are suspicions that the browser extension may also engage in unauthorized surveillance of users' browsing activities.

Sunny-days.co May Replace Several Crucial Settings in Web Browsers

Browser-hijacking software operates by making alterations to browsers' default settings, such as homepages, default search engines and new tab pages. These modifications lead to users being redirected to unfamiliar and often suspicious websites when they perform searches through the URL bar or open new browser tabs. Additionally, this software may employ tactics to ensure its persistence. This makes it challenging for users to revert their browsers to their original settings.

Sunny Days functions in a similar fashion, promoting the website sunny-days.co. Like many other fake search engines, Sunny Days fails to deliver genuine search results and instead redirects users to a legitimate Internet search engine, such as Bing. However, the actual redirection destination may vary based on factors like the user's geographical location.

Moreover, Sunny Days likely possesses data-tracking capabilities. Browser hijackers typically target various types of user data, including visited URLs, viewed pages, search queries, cookies, login credentials, personally identifiable information, and financial data. This collected information can be monetized through sale to third parties, including potentially malicious actors such as cybercriminals.

Browser Hijackers Often Rely on Stealthy Installation Tactics to Get On Users’ Devices

Browser hijackers often rely on stealthy installation tactics to infiltrate users' devices without their knowledge or consent. Some common methods they employ include:

Bundled Software: Browser hijackers may be bundled with seemingly legitimate software that users download and install. These bundles often include free programs, such as file converters, media players, or browser toolbars. Users may overlook or not notice the additional bundled software during the installation process, inadvertently allowing the browser hijacker to be installed alongside the desired program.

Deceptive Ads: Hijackers may be distributed through deceptive online advertisements that mimic legitimate system alerts or software update prompts. Users may be lured into visiting these advertisements, believing they are necessary for system maintenance or security updates, only to download and install the hijacking software unknowingly.

Fake Browser Extensions: Rogue browser extensions masquerading as useful tools or enhancements may also be used to distribute browser hijackers. Users may be enticed to install these extensions from third-party websites or through deceptive advertisements, unaware of the hijacking functionality embedded within them.

Social Engineering Tactics: Hijackers may employ social engineering tactics, such as phishing emails or messages, to trick users into downloading and installing dubious software. These messages may impersonate trusted entities or contain urgent requests, leading users to inadvertently install the hijacker in an attempt to address the perceived issue.

Overall, browser hijackers utilize a combination of deceptive techniques to exploit users' trust and lack of awareness, ultimately facilitating their stealthy installation onto users' devices.