VideoSearchUSA

VideoSearchUSA's main functionality is that of a browser hijacker. It is a dubious application whose only purpose is to promote its own address - videosearchusa.com, which is a fake search engine, through illegitimate means. Keep in mind that these applications proliferate themselves via a distribution method designed to hide their installation from the attention of the users specifically. This deceptive behavior classifies the applications as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs).

Browser hijackers are often observed in campaigns that aim to generate artificial traffic for fake or dubious search engines. To achieve this goal, the applications are equipped with the necessary code that allows them to take over the victim's Web browsers. To be more specific, the applications go after certain browser settings related to opening new pages. These include the homepage, new page tab and the default search engine. Using an affected browser means that you will be redirected to the promoted page constantly.

Fake search engines are classified as such, due to their inability to produce any results at all. The search queries initiated in the URL bar of the browser or through the main page of the engine will instead be redirected to a legitimate engine such as Yahoo, Bing or Chrome. Another option includes redirecting to an unproven engine that can deliver low quality and mostly unusable results that are riddled with sponsored ad links. Videosearchusa.com has been observed to do both - it can redirect either to Yahoo or to the questionable engine at nearbyme.io.

Keeping PUPs on your system means that there is a high chance that your browsing activities are being tracked and logged. PUPs are notorious for accessing the user's browsing history, search history, IP address of the device, geolocation, ISP and more. All collected data is then packaged and transmitted to a remote server.