Wow Search

By GoldSparrow in Browser Hijackers

Threat Scorecard

Ranking: 2,624
Threat Level: 50 % (Medium)
Infected Computers: 66,107
First Seen: March 24, 2014
Last Seen: September 25, 2024
OS(es) Affected: Windows

Wow Search Image

Wow Search is a low quality search engine associated with a Potentially Unwanted Program with browser hijacking capabilities. PUPs linked to Wow Search may redirect the affected Web browser to the wow.utop.it URL and other websites associated with Wow Search repeatedly. Various other problems that may be linked to Wow Search have been noticed, including performance issues, browser redirects, unwanted pop-up windows and slow connection speed. Although many computer users may mistake these symptoms for issues with advertisements or content on the websites they visit, they may be created by PUPs like Wow Search present on the affected Web browser. If you are observing issues on your Web browser related to Wow Search, it is important to remove any PUPs present as Web browser extensions, plug-ins or toolbars on your Web browser.

How Wow Search and Similar PUPs Affects a Computer

There are numerous unreliable search engines like Wow Search, including Conduit and Delta Search Toolbar. Typically, Wow Search and PUPs associated with Wow Search are bundled with freeware programs downloaded from low quality platforms. Computer users may skip the installation process, failing to observe the phases that need to be followed when installing the new software, resulting in the installation of unwanted components like Wow Search. In many cases computer users may opt out of installing these types of toolbar, however, they may overlook this feature. Using Custom Installation when installing new software may allow you to only install the software you want, skipping PUPs and other unwanted content such as Wow Search.

The Wow Search that Means Wow Problems!

Malware researchers strongly advise against using Wow Search as your search engine or homepage. 'Search results' on Wow Search are little more than advertisements and links to potential online hoaxes or websites distributing other PUPs. PC security researchers strongly advise removing Wow Search completely. This can usually be done by taking steps to analyze your PC with an appropriate security program that is fully up-to-date. Future infections can be prevented by taking extra care when installing new software and keeping your security software active at all times.
Wow Search Image 2Wow Search Image 3

SpyHunter Detects & Remove Wow Search

File System Details

Wow Search may create the following file(s):
# File Name MD5 Detections
1. yvd_firefox_se.exe 4249668af1c02218c7080769dc9a481e 3,910
2. yvd_chrome_se.exe bbbda84b36c5e1c35eeeae5e97420d1f 3,871
3. yvd_ie_se.exe 34367411342393d93d8612f8a97988c7 3,682
4. yvd_ie_se.exe 47f2dcb9257a8cdb05cf1f5f1fe89988 1,793
5. yvd_firefox_se.exe 3da0526556d942cabe180397c9e3c0a7 1,742
6. yvd_ie_se.exe 6a99c2d85398302a4c75283076d99176 1,686
7. yvd_chrome_se.exe a8e0f980082c683278ad862b52b12022 1,407
8. yvd_firefox_se.exe f1a3227d3d9e416e4631e64f3ada9d80 1,365
9. yvd_chrome_se.exe eb9cdfd9b0f9e0887a944330942143ab 1,313
10. yvd_firefox_se.exe c2c05f5d2659aeb5455b4ff39b9fe210 902
11. yvd_chrome_se.exe 842a62fc4678285121c7d25a1fa9da25 573
12. yvd_firefox_se.exe 0201a7a7429d04fe39471cc4372da747 376
13. yvd_firefox_se.exe e79dc6c96d9ada9f2f7eaa95b9d023fe 168
14. yvd_chrome_se.exe d6f8038e4587c0bcaccc3892715f8ebe 67
15. yvd_firefox_se.exe edb47f6b1d42fcba8f9ebacb27b988f9 67
16. yvd_chrome_se.exe 3e4efcaa9721188ae5fe7de6f3407f76 39
17. yvd_ie_se.exe 7661af702adbc6ce9fdfe8c491aadef1 36
18. yvd_chrome_se.exe b5e2f894a23ee2910b5d6e6d7c34e366 1
19. yvd_firefox_se.exe c2c7142d816c5413bf13c5552761001a 1
20. yvd_ie_se.exe 982d417931f4662145123776d84b27e6 1
21. yvd_ie_se.exe 0172288bda3ee544518b30f740a3d0e0 1
22. yvd_chrome_se.exe 265facde9a95739ac4136e3d826151cf 1
23. yvd_chrome_se.exe 7a785cfb58c47dea7a6d6cd4875bbb16 1
24. yvd_firefox_se.exe 89ab762141cefa4151135a6692f7e673 1
25. yvd_ie_se.exe c8f3fd40c03749d30d9cb6b47e86059c 1
More files

Registry Details

Wow Search may create the following registry entry or registry entries:
File name without path
http_utop.it_0.localstorage
http_utop.it_0.localstorage-journal
Software\Classes\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{9bb2c1cc-4a7d-4cd5-bce9-0ca5f9ff8391}
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\DOMStorage\utop.it
Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{9bb2c1cc-4a7d-4cd5-bce9-0ca5f9ff8391}
SOFTWARE\wow search
SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{9bb2c1cc-4a7d-4cd5-bce9-0ca5f9ff8391}
SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\wow search

Directories

Wow Search may create the following directory or directories:

%PROGRAMFILES%\wow search
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\wow search

URLs

Wow Search may call the following URLs:

res.utop.it
wow.utop.it

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