Topwebanswers.com
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: | 371 |
| Threat Level: | 20 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 13,617 |
| First Seen: | November 24, 2022 |
| Last Seen: | September 30, 2023 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
Topwebanswers.com is a questionable search engine that can be found on the internet. Although most fake search engines are unable to produce any search results, Topwebanswers.com is an exception. However, the search results it generates often include sponsored and potentially deceitful or dubious content.
Browser hijackers commonly promote illegitimate search engines by redirecting users to these sites. In addition, these types of sites and software are known to collect sensitive user data, making them a privacy risk.
Table of Contents
Browser Hijackers and PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) may Lead to Privacy Risks
Browser hijackers are programs that alter the settings of web browsers by setting fake search engines as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab destinations. As a result, whenever a user opens a new tab or enters a search query into the URL bar, they are redirected to the fake search engine.
Moreover, the software responsible for browser hijacking may also prevent users from accessing removal-related settings or continuously undo any changes made by the user.
Fake search engines are typically unable to provide search results and redirect users to legitimate search engines such as Bing, Yahoo, or Google. However, Topwebanswers.com is actually capable of delivering search results on its own. Unfortunately, the results are unreliable and include sponsored, untrustworthy, deceptive, and potentially harmful content.
Illegitimate search engines and browser hijackers may also collect sensitive information, including search queries, visited URLs, viewed pages, IP addresses, internet cookies, personally identifiable information, financial information, and more. This data can be sold to third parties or otherwise exploited for profit.
PUPs often Rely on Questionable Distribution Tactics
One of the common dubious tactics used for the distribution of Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) and browser hijackers is bundling them with legitimate software or downloads. This technique involves packaging the unwanted software with a popular or free software application that users often download, without explicitly disclosing its presence or purpose. When a user installs the legitimate software, they unknowingly install the bundled PUP or browser hijacker as well, as the installation process is typically fast-paced, requiring the user to click through multiple screens without carefully reading or checking for additional software.
Bundled software often includes additional checkboxes that must be unchecked to avoid installing the PUP or browser hijacker, but many users overlook these options, allowing the software to install automatically. This distribution method can result in a significant number of users being affected, as many people fail to realize that they have installed additional software that can harm their devices or jeopardize their privacy.
URLs
Topwebanswers.com may call the following URLs:
| topwebanswers.com |
